Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center to host town hall on Michigan Voting Safeguards

On September 21, 2024, CMU will host an important Town Hall and Question & Answer event focusing on voting rights and election integrity. Organized by the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of State, the event will feature Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie. The discussion will highlight the steps Michigan is taking across the state to ensure a free and fair election this November.

The event will be held in the Bovee University Center's third-floor auditorium, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. and the program beginning at 12:00 p.m. The event is scheduled to conclude at 1:30 p.m., with time afterward for attendees to take photos with the speakers. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are all invited to attend.

Minde Lux, county clerk of Isabella County, will open the event with a welcome address. In her role overseeing local elections, Lux will highlight the importance of civic participation.

After remarks from AG Nessel and Deputy SOS Edevbie, the event will feature a panel discussion with both speakers moderated by Dr. Norma Bailey, a retired faculty member from CMU and co-chair of the CMU Voter Coalition. Carson Cooley, president of the Central Votes registered student organization, and Dr. Ed Hinck, a communication professor, will participate in the panel. All will share their perspectives on the importance of civic engagement, how efforts are being made to encourage voter turnout, and answer questions from the audience.

Symantha Dattilo, interim director of the Volunteer Center, helped to organize the event. "This event is designed to foster an informative and respectful dialogue on how elections are managed in Michigan," Dattilo said. "It's my hope that audience members will leave feeling confident in casting their ballots in November. "

This event highlights the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center's commitment to promoting civic engagement on campus. By providing a platform for discussion between students, faculty, community members, and government officials, the Volunteer Center continues its mission to encourage informed and active participation in the democratic process.

To learn more about the November election and to register to vote, visit Michigan.gov/vote.