LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) -The count is down to 25 days until the election, and this year you’ll have more options than ever to cast your ballot. Michigan’s Proposal 2 (2022) opened up doors for absentee, early voting, and last-minute voter registration. Local clerks have had two years to test the new systems and prepare for what is expected to be a record voter turnout next month.
Community and university programs like MSU Vote have been working to get the new information out across the state. MSU Vote Co-Directors Renee Brown and Suchitra Webster work with the initiatives program intern, Aiden Bourgeau. The group organizes on-campus events that give students the chance to get nonpartisan information to take a look at what issues mean the most to them.
“The more people that participate in our democracy through things like voting make the democracy ultimately stronger,” Webster said. “It’s not something that you sit by the sidelines and watch in order for things to get better, you have to participate. It’s just important for all of us to have more access and the more flexibility we can afford, the better.”
You can register to vote online until October 21, after that you can register in person at your local clerk’s office until November 5.
You can check your status, get registered, and find your Election Day polling location here: mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index
Absentee ballots have already been sent out to voters across the state. You can request one online, by mail, or in person at your local clerk’s office. it’s recommended to have them back in the mail by Monday, October 21.
You can request your ballot online here: mvic.sos.state.mi.us/AVApplication/Index
Having a voting plan is a crucial part of participating in elections. Having an accountability partner to vote in person with you, or mail in your ballot with can help ensure you cast your ballot in November.
You can view a sample ballot to see what you’ll be voting for here: mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot/Index
“Showing up on a Tuesday night and waiting in a 5-hour long line to vote isn’t something that is always feasible for everyone,” Bourgeau said. “Our hope here is through our work is to kind of, you know, re-empower them to feel that their vote does matter and feel like they can make a difference.”
If you plan to vote in person, early voting starts at centers on October 26 and ends on November 3.
You can find your early voting location here: mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index#early-voting-search-section
All precincts will be open for Election Day November 5 from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. local time.
“To be able to actively participate in a democracy and actually share your voice to let the government know what you expect from them, what you’d like from them, how you envision them interacting with you, your community, and ultimately with the rest of the world moving forward,” Bourgeau said. “That’s a very powerful and empowering opportunity that is granted to people of the United States.”
In total, Michigan voters will have 40 days to make their voices heard at the ballot box for this year’s presidential election. More election information can always be found at Michigan.gov/VOTE
