East Michigan News

Central Michigan University is participating in the 2024 Michigan Campus Voting Challenge, a statewide initiative to boost voter registration and turnout among college students.

The challenge, led by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, encourages universities and colleges to compete in registering the highest percentage of students to vote ahead of the 2024 elections. Officially launched on Sept. 19 by Secretary Benson, the challenge aims to foster civic engagement among students, whose voter turnout has traditionally been lower than other demographics. Recent trends show increased student participation, and this year’s challenge seeks to maintain that momentum.

CMU’s involvement has started strongly. The CMU Voter Coalition organized a “Fire Up the Vote” event on National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 19, in collaboration with the Mt. Pleasant City and Isabella County Clerk. The event registered dozens of students to vote, educated them on locating their polling places, and provided guidance on requesting absentee ballots.

Additionally, the CMU Voter Coalition launched a “10 Tuesdays” campaign with Residence Life, CMU Athletics, and all seven colleges on campus. This initiative covers important election-related topics every Tuesday for ten weeks leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5. Topics include voter registration, making a voting plan, understanding ballot contents, and early voting options. This effort aims to keep students engaged and informed about participating in the upcoming election.

CMU will also host early voting on campus for November’s election at Powers Hall during the ten days leading up to Election Day.

Beyond voter registration efforts, CMU’s Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center is hosting a town hall event on Sept. 21 focused on Michigan Safeguards. This event provides an opportunity for students and community members to learn about state election security measures from local officials and voting experts.

These initiatives reflect CMU’s broader goal of creating a campus environment that promotes civic engagement and voter education. Through its participation in the 2024 Michigan Campus Voting Challenge and successful events like “Fire Up the Vote,” CMU is enhancing voter engagement on campus.

Collaborations with city and county clerks and partnerships with the Michigan Secretary of State highlight CMU's commitment to fostering civic responsibility among its student body. Through various drives, educational events, and discussions, CMU offers numerous opportunities for students to engage in democratic processes ahead of the 2024 election.

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