EDITORIAL: Benefiting the ballot
In a democracy, providing access to a place to practice your right to vote is paramount.
Casting a ballot allows citizens to select a candidate who can best represent their views. Ultimately, it is the most fundamental way for American citizens to allow their voices to be heard.
In Michigan – with a population of 9.88 million – 7.45 million people are registered to vote. Sadly, only 63 percent of those registered actually made it to the polls in the 2012 presidential elections.
Even more perplexing, however, is the turnout for student voters.
According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, only 49 percent of voters under 30 made it to the polls.
Students represent the future of our country and our government. It’s essential that every avenue be explored to get all citizens, including students, to the polls during an election.
Of Mount Pleasant’s seven voting precincts, no polling location exists on Central Michigan University’s campus.
Although polling options exist off campus, students with a lack of transportation or unfamiliarity with the area find it difficult to exercise their right to vote.
A Student Government Association survey revealed that while only 8 percent of CMU students know where polling locations are, 80 percent of students would be more likely to use an on-campus polling center.
CMU needs a polling location on campus.
Brynn McDonnell, a representative for Voices for Planned Parenthood and Student Government Association, delivered this message to the Mount Pleasant City Commission on Monday.
Included in her proposal was a suggestion to open a polling location at Wesley Foundation Church on Washington Street. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the neutral site cannot support political candidates or campaigns – making it an ideal location to allow for voting.
We support both her efforts and the initiative by the SGA to address this issue.
The U.S. Census Bureau lists several situations in which citizens were unable to vote. Of the 40,000 people surveyed – 11.2 percent were either away from their polling district, experienced transportation issues or claimed the polling location was inconveniently located.
No decision was made as a result of her presentation, but McDonnell has been advised to speak with CMU and the City of Mount Pleasant Liason Committee at their next meeting.
It is unclear what the future will hold. However, Mount Pleasant could improve both voter turnout and the democratic process by heeding McDonnell's request.
CMU students account for about 40 percent of Mount Pleasant’s population. A polling place on campus would not only serve as a more convenient option for students wishing to participate politically, but could substantially change the results of an election.
We applaud McDonnell and the SGA for their efforts. We urge the city of Mount Pleasant to consider adding a location on campus for students to cast their votes.
