Voting at EMU
"Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it." -Susan B. Anthony
"The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have." - John Lewis Ana
EMU is committed to ensuring all of its community members, particularly our students have access to voter registration and election information on state and local candidates, and ballot proposals. Engage@EMU in collaboration with a cohort of Student Government, University departments, student organizations, and nonpartisan groups will host voter registration and candidate/ballot information events this year.
Announcements/Updates
- Fall in love with voting at this voter engagement event happening Wednesday, October 19th. Join us in room 330 of the student center from 11am-2pm for information, to register, and enjoy some free food and games!
- The League of Women Voters of Washtenaw County and Engage@EMU hosted educational webinar on Friday, October 7, focused on the pros/cons of the 3 ballot proposals and Michigan's election process.
- Click here to watch the webinar!
- Click here to access an informational resource provided by The League which outlines this year's ballot proposals.
- Voter Registration Labs will be hosted in 311 Pray Harrold to help students register to vote online, or any other state where online registration is still available. Attend one of the sessions, and check out our calendar for more information.
- October 10, 11, 17 & 18 from 4pm - 6pm
- October 12 & 19 from 5pm-7pm
- Student Government and Rise are hosing a Town Hall: Understanding Voting & Local Government on Tuesday, October 11 at 6pm at the EMU Student Center Auditorium.
- The town hall will feature a panel of several state and local officials including State Senator Jeff Irwin, City Clerk Andrew Hellenga, Ypsilanti City Council-member Annie Sommerville, and Council-member Nicole Brown. The panel will also feature EMU Political Science Professor and local politics expert Dr. Shu Wang. Learn more about the important issues that each of these representatives work on, and how their work affects you and the people you care about. You will also have the opportunity to ask the panel any questions you may have about their work, about issues you care about, and about how to make your voice heard in the 2022 midterm elections. All students who attend will receive LBC Group 3 credit.
- Language Access Initiatives has translated sample ballots into various languages. You can view them here! Additionally, visit michigan.gov to view FAQ's in a variety of languages.
Upcoming Events and Dates to Mind
- September 20, 2022 - National Voter Registration Day
- September 24, 2022 – Absentee ballots are available to all Michigan Voters by Law (40 days prior to the election)
- October 7, 2022 at 1pm - Ballot Proposals & Election Process What You Need to KNow - Webinar
- October 11, 2022 at 6pm - Understanding Voting & Local Government Town Hall
- October 19, 2022 at 11am - Fall in Love with Voting Event at the student center, room 330
- October 24, 2022 – Last day to register other than in person at the Clerk’s Office with proof of residency.
- October 25, 2022 through November 8, 2022 at 8pm – In person registration at the Clerk’s Office with proof of residency.
- October 26, 2022 at 10am - Ballots and Bagels in the Student Center Lobby
- November 4, 2022 at 5pm – Deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail.
- November 7, 2022 at 4pm – Deadline to request an absentee ballot in person (unless not currently registered)
- November 8, 2022 until 8pm – Those registering in person at the Clerk’s Office are eligible for an absentee ballot
Resources
Campus Voting Project - Michigan Voting Guide
This Voting Guide for Michigan provides information regarding registration deadlines, election dates, and answers to commonly asked questions on how, when, and what you need to vote.
City of Ypsilanti - Voting and Election Information
Check local City of Ypsilanti's Voting and Election Information page for local polling locations and registration information.
Do YOU want to register to vote or need to apply for an absentee ballot?
Find out all you need to know about midterm elections in 2022 from the national, nonpartisan Election Protection coalition. Have questions about voter registration deadlines, requesting absentee or mail-in ballots, or how to vote in-person during early voting or on Election Day? Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) to speak with a trained Election Protection volunteer. More information about voting in your state can be found at 866ourvote.org.
Michigan Voter Information Center
Michigan Department of State website for checking your voter information. Find your clerk, polling place, registration status, ballot view and tracking, voting in person details, and more!
Michigan Voting
A comprehensive nonpartisan voting website, including a Know Your Rights guide that can answer the many questions you may have about how to cast your ballot.
Partners in Democracy
Join to help advance voter rights initiatives, increase voter participation, and ensure polls are fully staffed across Michigan. As a Democracy Partner, you will be joining a coordinated effort to drive civic engagement ensure our democracy holds strong.
PIRGIM
- Register to vote at studentvote.org and check out voting resources by state!
- Apply for an Absentee Ballot!
- Know your Ballot!
- Volunteer or intern with PIRGIM
Pittsfield Charter Township - Elections Information
Up to date information on absentee voting, elections, voter registration and more for Pittsfield Charter Township residents/voters.
Plan Your Vote
Everything you need to know about the voting rules where you live, including registration, mail-in voting, changes since 2020, and more.
Returning Citizens Voting Rights
Information on voting rights for returning citizens.
Secretary of State Election Information
View information about the upcoming Election, from Voting options, facts, and more.
Township of Ypsilanti - Election and Voting Information
Up to date information on voter registration, absentee ballots, accessible voting, voting requirements, and more for Township of Ypsilanti residents/voters.
League of Women Voters of MI
The League is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. Find your ballot, learn about your voting rights, and much more by visting lwvmi.org
Click here to watch our 2022 Ballot Proposals and Election Process webinar. The League of Women Voters of Washtenaw County have released an informational handout detailing the three proposals on Michigan's 2022 ballot. Click here to access the ballot proposal handout.
Vote411
Election information, both general and state specific, including:
- Absentee ballot information
- Ballot measure information (where applicable)
- Early voting options (where applicable)
- Election dates
- Factual data on candidates in various federal, state and local races
- General information on such topics as how to watch debates with a critical eye
- ID requirements
- Polling place locations
- Registration deadlines
- Voter qualifications
- Voter registration forms
- Voting machines
Ypsi, Can I Share?
This local grass roots organization has various resources around voting, elections, ballots and more. Check out their content!
FAQ
What is the guidance in the event of an emergency if a voter is hospitalized or forced to quarantine before they have the opportunity to vote?
Michigan law permits the issuance of an emergency absentee ballot after 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, and before 4 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, if a voter suddenly becomes ill or has a death in the family that made them unable to request an absentee ballot in person after 5 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2022, or vote in person on Election Day.
In the event of an emergency, if a voter would like to utilize this option, they must contact their local city or township clerk directly, in writing, to request an emergency absent voter ballot application. The letter or application form provided by the clerk’s office must provide the following in writing:
- Verify that the voter is registered and qualified to vote.
- Verify the voter is legally authorized to apply for an emergency absentee ballot.
- State the reason why the voter was not able to return an absentee ballot application before the mandated deadline.
- Designate an individual to retrieve and/or return the absent voter ballot [if applicable].
- Once a voter’s local clerk has verified the validity of their emergency absentee ballot application, a deputized election official or local clerk can deliver the voter’s emergency absentee ballot in person - if not required to leave the city of township, or the voter may designate an individual authorized with the local clerk’s office to retrieve and deliver their absentee ballot on their behalf.
State law allows the voter to return their completed, signed, and sealed emergency absentee ballot by any means necessary, provided that the ballot is valid, includes the voter’s matching signature, and is received by the voter’s local clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Will they accept my EMU Housing Information as proof of residency for voter registration?
Yes! In the case that you live on campus and want to register to vote in the City of Ypsilanti but your driver's license or other ID does not list your EMU address, you can present your EMU Housing Information as residency verification. You can pull up your information on my.emich.edu.
What if I’m registered back home can I still vote in Ypsilanti?
The government allows students to send absentee ballots if they are still registered in their home state but are attending school. Absentee voters submit their ballots by mail before the election, allowing the vote to count without having to travel to a hometown polling location. Students can also decide to change their voter registration to their college’s location, making it possible for them to vote in-person. As long as the student maintains a residence (permanent or temporary), they can register to vote through the mail or, in some states, online. They cannot, however, be registered in two places at once.
Can I change my registration from home to EMU/Ypsilanti?
Michigan law requires that the address must match the address on your voter registration card. There is no fee to change your address. You may change your address online, by mail or in person at a Secretary of State branch office. Any of these options allows you to update your voter registration to your new address. In addition, the Ruth Johnson, Secretary of State Department of State website provides step by step instructions, and the necessary documents to change your registration by mail, online and in person. Just search Driver’s Change of Address, Voter Registration and the information should be listed.
How do I vote absentee?
First-time voters CANNOT vote by mail. If you are not a first-time voter and wish to vote my mail, you must fill out the application (available online) and mail it to the clerk of the place you are registered to vote. This application must be mailed no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. Be sure to specify the address where you would like the absentee ballot to be sent to (i.e. your dorm or apartment). The application will be processed as soon as it arrives at your clerk’s office. When you receive your absentee ballot in the mail, you have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to fill it out and mail it back to your clerk.
If I live on or near campus where is the polling location?
At the Honors College on 511 W. Forest Avenue, near Sill Hall.
What are the polling hours?
The polling place hours are from 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Is there a local polling location map?
The City of Ypsilanti polling locations are available to view.
How do I know where to vote?
If you have already registered to vote, you are able to determine your precinct and polling location by checking your voter ID card or by visiting the Michigan Information Voter Center website. Through that website you can search your voter information by name or driver’s license number, then that will determine where you are assigned vote.
Who is able to vote?
In order to vote you must be 18 years old on or before Election Day and a United States citizen. Each state also has their own requirements for voting, so please check beforehand. In Michigan, you must be a U.S. citizen, be at least 18 years old by the next election date, a resident of Michigan as well as the city you’re registering in, and not serving a sentence in jail or prison.
Do I need to show identification in order to vote?
Michigan does have a voter identification requirement at the polls. Voters are asked to present an acceptable photo ID such as a Michigan driver's license or identification card. Please note that voters who do not have an acceptable form of ID or failed to bring it with them to the polls still can vote. They simply sign a brief affidavit stating that they're not in possession of a photo ID. The following types of photo ID are acceptable: Michigan driver's license or state-issued ID card, driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state, federal or state government-issued photo identification, U.S. passport, military ID with photo, student identification with photo from a high school or accredited institution of higher learning, tribal identification card with photo.
My question wasn’t answered, where do I go next?
Contact Engage with further questions: [email protected].