NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN SECRETARY OF STATE
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LANSING – Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has announced the 2023 Michigan Student Voting Summit will be held Oct. 6 at Oakland University. The nonpartisan summit is hosted by the Department of State in partnership with Campus Vote Project. It is a chance for students, educators, administrators, elected officials, and advocates to come together for a day of civic learning, idea sharing, and networking.
“In a few short years, Michigan has gone from one of the worst to first in youth voter turnout,” said Secretary Benson. “Engaging young voters in our democratic process is one of my top priorities as Secretary of State. Initiatives like the Student Voting Summit and opportunities for leadership like the Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force are part of the reason Michigan has emerged as a national youth voting leader. I’m proud of the work we’ve done with elected officials on both sides of the aisle to empower the next generation of active voters and strengthen our democracy.”
According to a report by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University, Michigan voters ages 18-29 turned out at a rate of 37% in the 2022 midterm elections, higher than any other state CIRCLE analyzed, and significantly higher than the national average youth turnout rate of 23%. Michigan was one of only four states where youth turnout was higher in 2022 than in 2018.
Approximately 300 students and educators from Michigan’s high schools, colleges, and universities are registered to attend tomorrow’s summit along with local election clerks. Every member of the Michigan Legislature was invited to attend and participate in breakout sessions with the students from their districts. Topics for discussion will include the importance of youth voter participation, how students can get involved in government, how to serve as an election worker, and what to expect from Michigan elections next year with the new Proposal 2 voting rights in place.
"Campus Vote Project is excited to host the 6th annual Michigan Student Voting Summit along with the Department of State and Oakland University," said Landon Myers, Michigan coordinator for Campus Vote Project. "The summit is expected to be the largest state student voting summit ever held. Michigan students continue to lead the way towards full voter participation."
“Oakland University is delighted to host the Michigan Student Voting Summit,” said David Dulio, director of the Oakland University Center for Civic Engagement. “The Center for Civic Engagement works to provide resources about voting to all our students so they can be informed participants in their democracy should they so choose. It's a great opportunity for to show off campus and our programs to other students from around the state.”
Secretary Benson recently named 30 student leaders to the 2024 Michigan Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force (CSATF) and many of the new members will attend tomorrow’s summit. First established by Benson in 2019, the CSATF will determine and implement recommendations to improve voter participation on Michigan’s college and university campuses.
For more information about youth voting in Michigan visit Michigan.gov/Students.
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