Staff voice: Getting out the vote on Election Day

MSUvote is a nonpartisan campus committee whose mission is to increase the number of registered student voters. They inform and educate students on candidates and issues and increase voting accessibility on Election Day. This Election Day, we spotlight MSUvote Campus and Community Initiative Co-Director Renee Miller Zientek.

College students don’t always know about the voting options available to them. Elections are important times to practice and engage in the democratic process, and sometimes smaller state elections can go unnoticed, like this year. Yet more community-based elections have the potential for higher turnout.

I believe that voting is a large part of contributing to our community. Voting is an important right and responsibility. It is a way to have your voice heard on important ballot issues and the candidates who will represent your community.

MSUvote provides voter education and information, makes voting accessible, offers democratic engagement programming and increases student turnout. MSUvote makes voting accessible to all students by working closely with faculty and student organizations to provide voter education and information.

We also work with local clerk’s offices to support on-campus voting centers and precincts. To educate students on the importance of their vote, our website serves as a campus resource. MSUvote interns also facilitate fun and educational programs in partnership with the Center for Community Engaged Learning. MSUvote also provides faculty workshops.

Michigan State is home to many students who are not from Michigan or the United States. During voting season, it is important to include them in our efforts as they are such an important part of campus. MSUvote programs are open to all students and provide democratic engagement programming so that, no matter where a student is from, they can learn about the election process.

We also provide voter registration and election information for out-of-state students. All MSUvote programs and efforts are nonpartisan and aim to support all students through education, registration and getting-out-the-vote efforts.

If you are an MSU student and you are looking to vote in this year’s election, you must register in person with your local clerk. The election is on Nov. 4, 2025, and East Lansing polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Voters can visit The Secretary of State’s Michigan Voter Information Center to find out where they vote and view their sample ballot. Students can also visit MSUvote to learn more about available resources.