Benson, local partners host voter education town hall at University of Michigan-Flint

FLINT, Mich. – Today, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, City of Flint Interim Clerk Davina Donahue, local universities, and student leaders hosted an election information town hall at the University of Michigan-Flint campus. The non-partisan event prepared Flint-area students and other voters for the upcoming statewide general election on Nov. 8.
 
“Michigan’s elections are among the most secure in the nation, and voters can be confident when they cast their ballot that their vote will be counted accurately,” said Secretary Benson. “Today’s town hall armed Flint voters with the facts, empowering them to exercise their rights in the upcoming election. Your vote is your power, so it is important that every eligible voter understands their safe and secure options for voting this year.”
 
Today’s town hall, co-hosted by the University of Michigan-Flint, Kettering University, Mott Community College, and Campus Vote Project, was open to students, faculty, staff, and local residents. Attendees had the opportunity to submit questions for the panel during the event.
 
“Kettering University's mission is to prepare students for lives of extraordinary leadership and service. The Campus Vote Project keeps with the spirit of our mission,” said Babak Elahi, Head of Liberal Arts at Kettering University. “We believe that civic engagement, community service and ethical responsibility are key components of how our students and alumni contribute to their careers and communities. We're proud to promote this non-partisan effort to encourage young people in particular, to participate actively in American democracy!”
 
This afternoon’s event was moderated by Ryan Seifferlein, Campus Voting Project Fellow at UM-Flint, and Kettering University student Hemanth Tadepalli, who is a member of the Michigan Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force. The discussion covered several topics related to student voting as well as information on Michigan Department of State's work to ensure the safety and security of the election.
 
Eligible Michigan college students may choose to register to vote either at their home or campus address. Students from out of state may register to vote in Michigan if they have lived in the state for at least 30 days. Like every other Michigan voter, college and university students may only cast one ballot in the November election. Students can learn more about how to register and cast their ballot at Michigan.gov/Vote.
 
Absentee ballots are now available for the Nov. 8 general election. Voters who already have an absentee ballot should hand-deliver it as soon as possible to their clerk’s office or ballot drop box to avoid postal delays. Eligible Michiganders who still need to register to vote must now do so in person at their clerk's office, as online and mail registration is not permitted within 14 days of an election. Those registering in person may request, complete and submit an absentee ballot in the same visit to their clerk’s office.
 
Citizens can also vote in person at their polling place on Election Day, Nov. 8. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
 
Michigan residents can find all their voting information at Michigan.gov/Vote.
 

# # #