Northern Michigan University, the City of Marquette and bipartisan NMU student organizations are teaming up to provide a more efficient, coordinated opportunity for students to register to vote during the early voting period to avoid a last-minute surge on Election Day. NMU will offer a shuttle from The Woods housing complex to and from Peter White Public Library for this purpose from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3.
The City Clerk's Office will have extra staff on duty to help students with the registration process through their MyNMU accounts. Students can either vote immediately afterward at Peter White Public Library or make a separate trip to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
“Since state law changed in 2018 to allow for voter registration up to and on Election Day, our office has continually attempted to anticipate and accommodate for a sometimes large number of same-day registrations, many of which are Northern students,” said Marquette City Clerk Kyle Whitney. “People can register in the days leading up to the election, and then request an absentee ballot, but that's less convenient. Alternately, they can register and then vote on Election Day, but the lines—especially for registration—can be quite time-consuming.”
NMU student organizations supporting the effort include ASNMU student government, Turning Point USA, College Dems, Northern Votes, Young Democratic Socialists of America and Black Student Union.
“Providing a shuttle to the Peter White Library for early voting offers a more accessible and convenient process for students to vote,” said ASNMU President Dana Hinckley. “Many students do not have vehicles, are unsure of where to go, or may have never voted before. This initiative not only simplifies the process, but also encourages students to actively participate in their community.”
This marks the first major election since early voting has been rolled out in Michigan. Whitney said the hope is that residents who plan to register prior to Election Day can do so and vote at the same time to avoid potential waits on Nov. 5. This one-stop registration/voting option is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Nov. 3, in the lower level of Peter White Public Library. Residents who want to register prior to Oct. 31 or on Election Day can do so at City Hall.
NMU President Brock Tessman and student organization leaders supported the City of Marquette's request to partner in helping students register to participate in the democratic process appropriately in advance to alleviate last-minute pressure on Clerk's Office personnel.