Did you know that in 2014, only 14% of eligible U-M students voted? That means more than 37,000 U-M students were silent on issues that shape their lives such as student loans, tuition rates, healthcare, and job prospects following graduation.
To encourage students to vote and provide them with the tools to participate in the democratic process, U-M has launched the Big Ten Voting Challenge. Since President Schlissel issued the initial challenge, all 14 schools of the Big Ten Conference have committed to increasing student voter turnout in the November 2018 election.
This non-partisan effort aims to inform and empower students so that every single eligible student will cast their ballot on election day.
Winners of the Challenge will be the two schools with the:
- Highest overall student voter turnout
- Greatest increase in student voter turnout
U-M has its pride on the line, but there is so much more at stake. Students need accurate and updated voter registration as well as access to absentee ballots and voting deadline reminders.
All of this is provided through TurboVote. In addition, students can attend campus workshops and information sessions to learn about the power of their vote and form educated opinions.
The Big Ten Voting Challenge culminates on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, when students will cast their votes and U-M will hopefully bring home another victory, leaving a legacy for future students.
Please encourage your student to join the Challenge! To join, start the voter registration process, request an absentee ballot, or sign up for election day reminders, your student should visit TurboVote.
For more information, contact Erin Byrnes at the Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning at 734-647-7801.
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