Hot Girls participate in democratic processes!
Hating on voting as a college student doesn’t make you deep! Hot girls vote! She’s got big expectations! Participating in democratic processes is totally trending this election season, and our social media feeds reflect that sentiment, thanks to Olivia Rodrigo’s new album and CapCut editors alike.
Across campus, all day, every day, student volunteers are reallocating time from their assignments to register U-M students for the midterm elections this November, including myself. I can wholeheartedly say that the experience has been beyond fulfilling and has helped me grow tremendously as an individual (being ignored by students pretending to have their headphones in, or “getting a phone call” the second you ask them about their voter registration status proves to be an inadvertent form of exposure therapy to rejection), especially knowing that us Wolverines have repeatedly broken student voter registration and turnout records, with 52% of Ann Arbor campus students participating in the 2022 midterms (a much greater population at the polls compared to our peer institutions, with around a 30% student participation average), according to a study run by U-M Alumni.
Even with these impressive numbers, there are a lot of misconceptions and unknowns when it comes to voting, registration, and the polls themselves. In a survey done by The Campus Vote Project, 60% of respondents said that voting is easy, but over 25% still said that a lack of information on voting processes is the biggest setback when it comes to deciding on casting their ballot, while 40% of students said, straight out, that it is not easy for college students to vote. Nearly 50% of student responses claimed that people on their campus don’t vote because it’s too complicated (registration deadlines are unclear, there are long lines at the polls, or the wording on the ballots is too confusing), while 30% of first-years simply felt that their vote held no power at all.
When asked what they would like to see out of university polling organizations, 50% wanted to know what they can and should bring to the polls, 49% wanted to know the locations and hours of the voting sites, and 45% wanted to know when election days were in the first place. To me (and perhaps I’m biased as a political science major who surrounds herself with election-based conversations), there seem to be way too many uninformed, especially for the Leaders and Best.
FAQ: Where and when to vote on campus, how to register, in-state vs. out-of-state registration, etc.
So, for you to get that I Voted sticker (and the proceeding Insta story, obviously), here is my (unofficial) guide to voting at Michigan!
How to Register: Registration is not only easy, but accessible on campus. On all corners of the Diag, from Joe’s Pizza to Angell Hall, there are no fewer than four tables a day for you to check your registration status! If you think you’ve already registered in the state of Michigan but are unsure, check in with any of the volunteers on campus, and they can confirm your voter status. To register as an in-state student, you’ll need about five minutes and a Michigan-issued driver’s license to fill out a one-sided form with your current Ann Arbor (or surrounding) address and identification information. If you’re an out-of-state student at U-M, you can still register to vote on campus in the same short time once you know the last four digits of your Social Security Number (or you also happen to have a Michigan-issued driver’s license). Don’t worry, you can totally phone someone who would know that information for you, if you don’t. If you registered for an election on campus last year, but have moved addresses since, it’s also a good idea for you to stop by a booth and update your registration info, too.
Gorgeous, you’re registered! You should be getting a confirmation of your registration to the mailing address you wrote on the form in the next two to three weeks! Now, some important info on how, when, and where to vote:
There are two locations to vote on campus, one on Central and one on North: the UMMA and the Duderstadt Center Gallery. Early on-campus voting begins on October 21st and closes on election day, November 3rd. Both polling hubs will have the same hours, operating from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. (Oct 21-Nov 1), 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. (Nov 2), and 7 a.m.- 8 p.m. (Nov 3, Election Day!). Our on-campus polling hubs do offer same-day registration, but to avoid long lines that may curb some voters from casting their ballot, try to get out there early and register beforehand! That way, everyone can get a sticker.
When you get to the polls, aside from a cute bag, here’s what to bring with you: a photo ID, a voter information guide or pamphlet, and any notes you may have taken on the candidates. A valid photo ID includes your MCard, a driver’s license from any state, a valid state-issued ID from any state, or a passport. If you don’t have any of these on you, it’s no ballot-breaker. In Michigan, you can simply sign a short affidavit, and you’ll be issued a ballot! If you’ve never voted before, it might be helpful to print a ballot guide or bring a voter information pamphlet, but this isn’t required to enter, and certainly not to cast your vote. If you’ve been keeping up with the candidates, you’re allowed to bring in any notes you’ve taken to refresh your memory on their policy preferences, but make sure you keep the election fair and your notes to yourself!
how to style your i voted sticker
You’ve done it! Not only have you participated in the democratic processes that will impact your time at the University, but you’ve also just gotten yourself a very timeless accessory: the I Voted Sticker.
Here’s what I plan on pulling up to the polls in, but voting makes any outfit chic!
Jeans and a Sweater
Medium-dark-washed jeans, a camel ballet flat, navy blue sweater.
Navy is the perfect backdrop for the white sticker. Place it high on your left chest, like a brooch, and let the headband pull your hair back so everyone can see it!
Canadian Tuxedo
Brown boots, fleece-lined tights, denim skirt, denim jacket, cream sweater.
Fleece-lined tights are strategic if you’re waiting in line during a Michigan November. Stick your sticker on the denim jacket’s lapel or chest pocket for a vintage-pin-Esque look.
Neutrals Only
Dark grey washed jeans, white oversized undershirt, cool-toned cream boxy V-neck sweater, white tennis shoes.
This one is focused on clean, neutral layers, so the sticker is the only pop of color. Tuck your sticker near the neckline of the V-neck, just off-center so it becomes the president of your outfit.
Between Classes
Brown track pants, white tee, beige crewneck, clogs.
If your Election Day is particularly busy and you’ll be voting between errands, classes, and the gym, this is how I’d style your sticker. Put your badge on the crewneck’s sleeve, and no one will believe you voted in a crunch.
A final styling note:
Whether you’re in jeans and a sweater or track pants and clogs, the best part of your outfit is that you showed up to the polls. Michigan students have set turnout records before, and there is no reason this November should be any different. Early voting on campus runs October 21st through Election Day, November 3rd, so check your registration, grab your ID, and head to the UMMA or DUDE. Then put that sticker somewhere everyone can see it (and post the Instagram story, obviously).
sources
https://www.govote.umich.edu/hubs