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.
Check out THIS article, titled "EMU Students work to ensure peers know their voting rights in advance of 2024 elections" to learn more about EMU and Engage@EMU's efforts in educating the campus community about voting.
Announcements/Updates
Upcoming Events and Dates to Mind
- January 28th, 2024 - Early Absentee Voting in Michigan begins
- February 12th, 2024 - Deadline to register to vote online or by mail before February primary election
- February 17th, 2024 - Early In-Person Voting in Michigan begins
- February 23rd, 2024 - Deadline for Absentee Ballot to be received by mail, at 5pm
- February 25th, 2024 - Early Voting ends
- February 27th, 2024 - Deadline for Absentee Ballot to be submitted in person, at 8pm
- February 27th, 2024 – ELECTION DAY! (Polling Location Hours: 7:00am-8:00pm)
Resources
Early Voting
Michigan voters now have the right to vote early in-person during nine (9) full days prior to every major election. Early Voting sites will be operating across Washtenaw County to accommodate those voters who wish to cast their ballot in-person before Election Day. To locate early voting sites in Washtenaw County, click here.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.
Election Protection - 866 Our Vote
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.
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
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
FAQ
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.
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.
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. You can check your registration status here.
How do I vote absentee?
First, you will have to fill out an application for an absentee ballot online or on paper. The steps for doing so are laid out here, as well as what to do once you have submitted your application. If you are not planning to turn in your ballot in person, they recommend you mail your absentee ballot 2 weeks ahead of the election day, February 27th. If you are dropping it off in person, you may do so until 8pm on Election day.
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].