MSU Athletics Partners With Michigan Department of State To Encourage Civic Engagement

Democracy is a team sport. Today, Michigan State Athletics is announcing a partnership with the Michigan Department of State and local election officials in Ingham County and the East Lansing City Clerk's office to encourage civic engagement and nonpartisan voter participation among students, student-athletes, alumni, fans, and employees.

"One of my main goals for our student-athletes is to help them make a positive impact on the community during their time here on campus," said MSU Athletic Director Bill Beekman. "There is nothing more essential to our civic responsibility as citizens of this great country than to exercise our right to vote. Partnering with the Michigan Department of State and other election officials is a great opportunity for our student-athletes and staff to engage in the democratic process and encourage other students on campus to also take part in voting this November. Voting is the ultimate manner to let one's voice be heard and an impactful way to take an active role in shaping the community and society in which you want to live."

"I am grateful to the entire MSU Athletics department for their willingness to be leaders, on campus and in the college community, in the efforts to increase voter participation and turnout," said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. "This partnership will provide another important opportunity to help ensure voters know their rights and how to exercise them this November."

"I'm proud that my alma mater is stepping up and offering a safe and convenient way for the Michigan State community to both register and vote on campus this fall," said former Spartan All-American, three-time NBA Champion and member of More Than A Vote Draymond Green, who spoke to the football and men's basketball teams on Zoom earlier this summer about the importance of voting.

Goals: Educate, Engage, Empower and Lead

MSU Athletics will engage in the following activities in preparation for the November 2020 statewide election, with the goal to increase voter participation among students and fans on a nonpartisan basis.

• Early voting town halls (virtual): In September and October 2020, MSU Athletics and other campus organizations, including MSUvote, the university's nonpartisan voting initiative, will host "early voting" town halls online to provide voter registration information and answers to other voting questions.
   
• Support and promote MSU's on-campus clerk's office/satellite voting location: For several weeks in October to Nov. 3, East Lansing City Clerk Jennifer Shuster will host a satellite voting location (opening date/site TBD), where any eligible East Lansing voter will be able to register and vote on site.
   
• Encourage members of the MSU community to serve as election workers. Students and MSU employees can serve as election workers at the satellite office or elsewhere on Nov. 3.
   
• PSAs and social media infographics: MSU Athletics teams, coaches and student-athletes will be featured in a series of PSA videos and infographics aimed at voter education.

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