EAST LANSING – Instead of waiting for students to come to elections, the East Lansing city clerk is bringing elections to the students.
On Monday, Clerk Jennifer Shuster opened a satellite office on the ground floor of Brody Hall, home to the popular Brody Square cafeteria. The goal is for students to register in time for the city council election on Nov. 2.
Former city clerk Marie Wicks, now retired, will be staffing the desk each weekday in October. Wicks is a seasoned veteran. She has been involved in all kinds of elections throughout her career.
“Most recently, I worked for the state Bureau of Elections as a trainer and also a specialist,” Wicks said. “I could give people election advice and interpret some of the broader law.”
This is the second year for the satellite office, which Shuster piloted in the leadup to the 2020 election. That time, it was at the Hannah Community Center thanks to Michigan State’s pandemic restrictions. This November’s city elections do not get the same attention as a presidential election, but Shuster says that voter registration is always a priority.
“We thought it would still be the perfect time to kind of do a dry run,” Shuster said. “To see what works well, what doesn’t and then implement an even bolder approach next year when we have the state general election.”
“We’re here to register voters not just from East Lansing,” Wicks said. “If they want to register in their home jurisdiction, we will forward their voter registration to that jurisdiction.”
For student Anna Mazie Gunn, who registered on Wednesday, this is good news – she hails from Traverse City.
“I think I’m going to register for Traverse City because I know more about the area,” Gunn said. “It’s a big responsibility for people, and I think it’s a good idea to take advantage of it.”
Wicks takes great joy in registering students like Gunn. Having worked elections for as long as she has, she considers the youth vote to be vital.
“It’s so important that students are now realizing… how absolutely imperative it is that you vote,” Wicks said. “I want to make sure that students are voting… and making good decisions for the future, yours and mine.”
The satellite office will be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on weekdays.