By Annah Johnson
As the 2020 Presidential Election approaches, more and more people are getting registered to vote, creating their voting plans, and casting their ballots. College-aged students – most likely to be a part of the Gen Z or Millennial generations – are projected to take up a whopping 37% of the electorate this November, as reported by the Pew Research Center.
The youngest portion of the population is statistically primed and ready to cast that ballot – but are you? There is a lot to get right before and on election day, so let’s break it down together.
Getting Registered
You can register to vote from your phone! It is easier than ever to get your voter registration.
“It only takes about five minutes to register,” Alexa from the Student Life office explained, “in our office, we have a QR code that takes you right to the registration.”
If you’d rather get registered from the comfort of your couch, just visit the Kent County Clerk’s website. The deadline to register online to vote in the November election is Oct. 19.
In-person registration requires proof of eligibility and residency. When registering to vote online you will need a Michigan driver’s license or state I.D. card. If you do not have either of those, odds are you can still register! Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center to see what documentation you will need.
If you want to register in-person, drop by your city or township clerk’s office. The deadlines for in-person registration have changed in Michigan so that you can register to vote and cast your ballot on election day.
Make a Voting Plan
Your vote is important, so making a plan to ensure a smooth process is essential. Write down your plan and mark deadlines on your calendar. Double-check that you are registered, learn what identification you need to vote, find your polling location, locate a drop-box or clerk’s office, and even apply to vote by mail all in the same place. The big green button on the Kent County Clerk’s website has all of the tools to get you in the know.
Gerrid Uzarksi, the Elections Director for Kent County, offered up several tips for making your voting process go smoothly.
If you are voting in-person: bring identification, know your polling location/precinct information and plan around high traffic times (between 7-9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., and 5-7 p.m.) The polls get busy, the lines get long, and voters can get discouraged. “Be patient,” Uzarski advises. The lines move faster than you think, and when voters are prepared for their ballot – the lines move even faster. Before you leave, don’t forget to thank your poll workers! Election day is a long one, and they are there to make sure you can safely cast your vote.
If you are voting absentee: don’t forget to sign the envelope, locate your preferred drop-box or clerk’s office, apply to vote absentee by Oct. 19 (you can do so on the same form used to register to vote), and ensure your ballot is in the mail by the Oct. 24 to allow ample time for delivery.
“You want to give the mail a fighting chance… you want to give your ballot at least 10 days to arrive,” urged Uzarski.
If you are unsure about the status of your ballot, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center to see if it has been mailed or received.
Do The Research
Take the extra time to research what will be on your ballot.
“Know what’s on your ballot, research the candidates, research the proposals,” Uzarski suggests.
There is nothing worse than seeing a new word under pressure. The more information you have before you step up to fill out your ballot, the faster you will get done and make room for the next voter. You can easily look up the items and races that will be on your ballot at vote411.org.
Generation Z and Millennials are known for being technology and information savvy. This year, they will be using those skills to show up in the polls like never before. If you need more information to get prepared to cast your vote in the upcoming election, contact your local clerk’s office or visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.
