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Central Votes
Make your plan to vote today
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About Central Votes
The Central Votes program is here to help students become engaged citizens. All programming is non-partisan and focuses on voter engagement, including registration, education, and civic skill-building.
Past events have included voter registration drives, discussions with elected officials, educational sessions on finding internships in State government, and more!
Fire Up the Vote
Every year on National Voter Registration Day, Central Votes partners with the League of Women Voters, The Mt. Pleasant City Clerk, and partners across campus and the state to register students to vote. Fire Up the Vote also focuses on educating students on new voting laws and upcoming elections by offering games, music, and so much more!
CMU Voter Coalition
The Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center is proud to be a member of the CMU Voter Coalition, a partnership of campus departments, community organizations, and the Central Votes student organization, dedicated to non-partisan civic engagement efforts.
TEN TUESDAYS
Ten Tuesdays is an educational program where Central Votes, in partnership with the Coalition have identified 10 topics related to voting during an election cycle to highlight every Tuesday from the beginning of the semester, ending on Election Day.
To receive 10 Tuesdays weekly emails during the next election cycle, please email centralvotes@cmich.edu.
What is the 2026 election? - September 1
The 20246 election which will be held on November 3 is a general election. Not only is this year the year we will be electing the next Michigan Governor, but we will also be voting on all of these offices:
- Michigan Attorney General
- Michigan Secretary of State
- 435 US Representatives in Congress (all districts)
- 35 US Senators, including a new Michigan US Senator
- State Representatives across the US, including all 110 in Michigan
- 2 State Board of Education Seats
- 2 Justices of the Michigan Supreme Court
- And many more!
Important dates
- Absentee voter ballots request available for voters NOW
- Last day to register by mail or online October 19
- New voter registrations are required in person for November Election October 20 - November 3
- Early Voting period October 24 - November 1
- A general election will be held on November 3
Ombudsperson for Voters with Disabilities
The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730.Why Should I Vote? - September 8
In an election, we vote to elect people, whether at the national, state or local level, who represent us. Those representatives will then be voting on issues that will impact us, whether it is college affordability, healthcare, racial justice, zoning laws in the city in which you live, etc. Who is elected and the votes they take will affect you, now and in your future. What are the issues that are most important to you?
Young adults, including college students, make up one of the biggest and fastest growing voting groups in the United States. This means you have a tremendous potential power to make a difference in the decisions, and thus the issues, that will affect your future.
Every vote matters! Both the national and state legislatures have slim margins, meaning your vote can help determine the balance of power in those governing bodies. Elections can be decided by a few votes; a recent Mt. Pleasant election was a tie, and the candidates had to flip a coin to see who would get the position!
You vote is your voice! Your vote matters! Voting is the way to make your voice heard!
Important dates
- Absentee voter ballots request available for voters NOW
- Last day to register by mail or online October 19
- New voter registrations are required in person for November Election October 20 - November 3
- Early Voting period October 24 - November 1
- A general election will be held on November 3
Ombudsperson for Voters with Disabilities
The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730.How to Register to Vote - September 15
In order to vote in an election, whether in Michigan or in any other state (except North Dakota), you must register to vote.
If you are a Michigan resident, you will need to decide whether you want to register at home or in Mt. Pleasant. If you are an out-of-state student, you will need to decide whether you want to register in your home state or in Mt. Pleasant.
Michigan residents with a valid driver’s license or state ID and the last four digits of your social security number can register online at www.Michigan.gov/vote up to October 19. After that, you will need to register in person at your clerk’s office or Secretary of State office, anytime, even the day of the election, by bringing proof of residency.
If you are an out-of-state student, you can check your state’s voter registration requirements at www.vote.gov and follow those guidelines or register in Mt. Pleasant using your current Mt. Pleasant residence as your address and following those guidelines.
As an out-of-state student, you do not need to change your driver’s license to Michigan.
Your financial aid status is not affected, even though you may no longer have the permanent address as a parent/guardian.
Important dates
- Absentee voter ballots request available for voters NOW
- Last day to register by mail or online October 19
- New voter registrations are required in person for November Election October 20 - November 3
- Early Voting period October 24 - November 1
- A general election will be held on November 3
Ombudsperson for Voters with Disabilities
The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730.Ways to Vote - September 22
Once you are registered to vote in Michigan, you have three options to choose from as to how/where to vote:
On Election Day:
You can vote in person on Election Day, November 3, 2026, at the polling location where you are registered, from 7am to 8pm, bringing with you a photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, student ID, or passport).
During Early In-Person Voting:
You can vote during early voting in person, nine days or more depending on upon where you are registered. Check with your local clerk for days, times and location at www.Michigan.gov/vote and click on early voting.
Absentee / Mail In:
You can request an absentee ballot be sent to you at your current address in Mt. Pleasant. When it arrives, you complete it and either mail it, put it in your town’s (where you are registered) drop box or deliver it in person to your clerk. You can track your ballot and find your clerk’s drop box at www.Michigan.gov/vote
Important dates
- Absentee voter ballots request available for voters NOW
- Last day to register by mail or online October 19
- New voter registrations are required in person for November Election October 20 - November 3
- Early Voting period October 24 - November 1
- A general election will be held on November 3
Ombudsperson for Voters with Disabilities
The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730.Voting Plan - September 29
Now that we are within five weeks of the Election it’s important for you to make your voting plan:
- Do you plan to vote in-person on Election Day, Vote in-person during Early Voting, or vote using an absentee ballot?
- If you are voting on Election Day, so you know where to vote?
- If you are voting in Early Voting, do you know where to vote and which day you are going to vote?
- If you are voting absentee, you need to apply for your absentee ballot NOW.
- Have you checked out who and what is on your ballot? If not, check out next week's content to learn more!
Important dates
- Absentee voter ballots request available for voters NOW
- Last day to register by mail or online October 19
- New voter registrations are required in person for November Election October 20 - November 3
- Early Voting period October 24 - November 1
- A general election will be held on November 3
Ombudsperson for Voters with Disabilities
The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730.Get to Know Your Ballot and Educate Yourself - October 6
In order to find out what you will be voting on, go to www.Michigan.gov/vote, click on “Your Voter Information,” fill out the form, and then click on “Ballot Preview” which will show you the ballot where you are registered.
Once you know what is on your ballot, it is important to be an informed voter when making your selections. There is an excellent non-partisan resource which will allow you to read about and compare candidates and give you the pros and cons of the issues on your ballot, whether they are national, state, or local.
Visit vote411.org to learn more.
If you are reading other news articles, be a critical consumer of the information. Who is the source? Who funds them? What might their motivation be? Compare their information with information from other sources on the same topic.
If you have registered an absentee ballot and received it, remember to fill it out and put it in the mail by October 14 for best chance of it arriving on time.
Important dates
- Absentee voter ballots request available for voters NOW
- Last day to register by mail or online October 19
- New voter registrations are required in person for November Election October 20 - November 3
- Early Voting period October 24 - November 1
- A general election will be held on November 3
Ombudsperson for Voters with Disabilities
The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730Not Registered? There is Still Time! - October 13
If you haven’t registered to vote, there is still time in order to be able to vote in the General Election on November 3.
Up through Tuesday, October 19, you can still register to vote online as long as you have a valid Michigan driver’s license or state ID. After, that, you will have to visit your city or township’s clerk in person to register by bringing proof of residency.
Already registered and have your absentee ballot? Be sure to fill it out and mail it out as soon as possible to ensure it is counted.
Important dates
- Absentee voter ballots request available for voters NOW
- Last day to register by mail or online October 19
- New voter registrations are required in person for November Election October 20 - November 3
- Early Voting period October 24 - November 1
- A general election will be held on November 3
Ombudsperson for Voters with Disabilities
The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730.How to Track Your Absentee Ballot - October 20
By now, you should have submitted your absentee ballot. How do you know it was received to be counted?
In order to track your ballot, go to www.Michigan.gov/vote, click “Your Voter Information,” fill out the form, and then on your clerk’s page you will find tracking information for your ballot. It will list when your clerk sent you your ballot and when they received it from you.
If they haven’t received your ballot or if that information is not there, contact your clerk (contact information on the same page).
If you have not registered to vote, you must now do so in person at your clerk’s office in the location you plan to vote.
Important dates
- New voter registrations are required in person for November Election October 20 - November 3
- Early Voting period October 24 - November 1
- A general election will be held on November 3
Ombudsperson for Voters with Disabilities
The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730.Early Voting Begins - October 27
Early voting is the opportunity in Michigan to cast your ballot just as if it were on Election Day – fill out the ballot on site and feed it through the tabulator. The minimum required days of early voting in Michigan is nine, although some municipalities will have more.
To learn more, go to www.michgan.gov/vote and click on Early Voting.
Nine days of early voting begins in Mt. Pleasant and Union Township (in Powers 136 on CMU’s campus) on Saturday, October 24; however, check with your city clerk to see if your early voting starts earlier and where it will be located.
Remember, you can only do early voting in the city or township where you are registered.
Important dates
- New voter registrations are required in person for November Election October 20 - November 3
- Early Voting period October 24 - November 1
- A general election will be held on November 3
Ombudsperson for Voters with Disabilities
The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730.Election Day - November 5
If you have not yet voted by absentee or in early voting, today is the day! We encourage you to do so as this is the way that your voice is heard.
If you forget your photo ID, ask the poll worker to provide you with an affidavit which will allow you to vote.
The attachments will give you information that will help you. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Volunteer Center at 989-774-7685 or the clerk in the city or township where you are registered.
Important dates
- New voter registrations are required in person for November Election October 22 - November 5
- A general election will be held on November 5
Ombudsperson for Voters with Disabilities
The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730.Frequently asked questions
Whether you're an in-state or out-of-state voter, Central Votes is here to help you get civically engaged!
How do I find upcoming Central Votes Events?
Check out the Volunteer Center on Engage Central to find all events, including Central Votes. We also encourage students to follow the Volunteer Center on Facebook and Instagram at @CMUVolunteers to stay up to date.
Where can I find voter information for students?
To be an eligible voter in Michigan, you must be:
- A U.S. Citizen
- At least 18 years old when you vote
- A resident of Michigan (at the time you vote)
- A resident in your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
- Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison
Learn more about change of address requirements, visiting the Secretary of State's office, and updating your drivers license.
How do I register to vote?
Residents of Michigan are encouraged to register to vote online, within at least 14 days prior to the next election.
Residents within 14 days of the next election will need to visit the Clerk's office in the community they wish to register to vote in.
Out of state voters are encouraged to visit vote.org to learn more about individual state voting laws.
How do I check my voter registration?
Check your Michigan voter registration online today!
Check your out-of-state voter registration online today!
What's on my ballot?
To find out what's on your ballot, check out Vote411, a non-partisan resource powered by the League of Women Voters.
What are the new Michigan voting laws?
Michigan voting laws may change with each election cycle, and so it's important to stay up to date! Learn more about Michigan election laws and voting.
How do I request an absentee ballot?
All Michigan residents can vote absentee by mail without an excuse or a reason. Michigan registered voters can request an absentee ballot online.
Voters can return their absentee ballot to their Clerk's office via dropbox, or by mail at least two weeks prior to an election to avoid postal delays.
Michigan absentee ballot postage is pre-paid.
Out of state voters can visit vote.org to learn more about requesting an absentee ballot in the state they are registered in.
What is Early Voting?
According to new Michigan election law, voters are now able to vote in-person for nine days prior to election day. Learn more about early voting and find your early vote location today!
Other states have also passed early voting laws! Visit vote.org to learn more about early voting for out-of-state voters.
Where is my polling location?
Can college students be poll workers?
Michigan needs election inspectors (poll workers)!
Democracy MVP is the state of Michigan's non-partisan poll worker program. College students can sign-up, get trained, and get paid to serve in a Michigan election.
Learn more about getting signed up today.
I couldn't find the answer to my question.
Have a question that we didn't answer?
Michigan.gov/vote has a list of frequently asked questions that might be able to help. Or, email centralvotes@cmich.edu and we will do our best to help you.