Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

Central Michigan University is actively participating in the 2024 Michigan Campus Voting Challenge, a statewide initiative aimed at boosting voter registration and turnout among college students.

The challenge, spearheaded by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, brings together universities and colleges in friendly competition to see who can register the highest percentage of students to vote ahead of the 2024 elections.

Officially launched by Secretary Benson on Sept. 19, the challenge is designed to foster civic engagement among students, whose voter turnout has historically been lower than other demographics.  Recently, student participation has seen an upward trend, and this year’s challenge aims to continue that momentum.

CMU’s participation is already off to a strong start. The CMU Voter Coalition hosted a “Fire Up the Vote” event on National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 19, in partnership with the Mt. Pleasant City and Isabella County Clerk. The event registered dozens of students to vote, educated them on how to locate their polling place and provided guidance on how to request absentee ballots.

CMU Voter Coalition’s 10 Tuesdays Campaign

The CMU Voter Coalition also launched a “10 Tuesdays” campaign in partnership with Residence Life, CMU Athletics and all 7 colleges on campus. This initiative highlights important election-related topics every Tuesday in the 10 weeks leading up to Election Day, Nov. 5. The topics include voter registration, making a voting plan, understanding what’s on the ballot and early voting options. This ongoing effort ensures that students remain engaged, informed and prepared to participate in the upcoming election.

CMU will host early voting on campus for November’s election. Like the last two, it will take place in Powers Hall the 10 days leading up to Election Day.

Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center to host town hall on Michigan voting safeguards

In addition to the voter registration efforts, CMU’s Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center is set to host a town hall event on Sept. 21, focused on Michigan Safeguards. The town hall will provide students and community members with the opportunity to learn about the state’s election security measures from local election officials and voting experts.

This event is just one example of CMU’s broader initiative to create a campus environment that encourages civic engagement and voter education.

A unified effort for student voter engagement

With its participation in the 2024 Michigan Campus Voting Challenge and the success of the “Fire Up the Vote” event, CMU is taking meaningful steps to enhance voter engagement on campus. These efforts, combined with the upcoming town hall, highlight the university’s dedication to ensuring students not only register but also fully understand the voting process.

CMU’s collaboration with the City and County clerk, along with its partnership with the Michigan Secretary of State, underscores a unified effort to foster civic responsibility and leadership among its student body. Whether through voter registration drives, education events, or informative discussions, CMU is providing students with numerous opportunities to get involved in the democratic process and make their voices heard in the upcoming 2024 election.