Central Civics
Make your plan to vote today
About Central Civics
The Central Civics program is here to help students become engaged citizens. All programming is non-partisan and focuses on voter engagement, including registration, education, and civic skill-building.
Past events have included voter registration drives, discussions with elected officials, educational sessions on finding internships in State government, and more!
Fire Up the Vote
Every year on National Voter Registration Day, Central Civics Partners with Central Votes, the League of Women Voters, The Mt. Pleasant City Clerk, and partners across campus to register students to vote. Fire Up the Vote also focuses on educating students on new voting laws and upcoming elections by offering games, music, and so much more!
CMU Voter Coalition
The Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center is proud to be a member of the CMU Voter Coalition, a partnership of campus departments, community organizations, and the Central Votes student organization, dedicated to non-partisan civic engagement efforts.
Students who want to get involved are encouraged to learn more about the Central Votes registered student organization on Engage Central.
Frequently asked questions
Whether you're an in-state or out-of-state voter, Central Civics is here to help you get civically engaged!
How do I find upcoming Central Civics Events?
Check out the Volunteer Center on Engage Central to find all events, including Central Civics. We also encourage students to follow the Volunteer Center on Facebook, Instagram, and X at @CMUVolunteers to stay up to date.
Where can I find voter information for students?
To be an eligible voter in Michigan, you must be:
- A U.S. Citizen
- At least 18 years old when you vote
- A resident of Michigan (at the time you vote)
- A resident in your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
- Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison
Learn more about change of address requirements, visiting the Secretary of State's office, and updating your drivers license.
How do I register to vote?
Residents of Michigan are encouraged to register to vote online, within at least 14 days prior to the next election.
Residents within 14 days of the next election will need to visit the Clerk's office in the community they wish to register to vote in.
Out of state voters are encouraged to visit vote.org to learn more about individual state voting laws.
How do I check my voter registration?
Check your Michigan voter registration online today!
Check your out of state voter registration online today!
What's on my ballot?
To find out what's on your ballot, check out Vote411, a non-partisan resource powered by the League of Women Voters.
What are the new Michigan voting laws?
Learn more about Michigan election laws and voting.
How do I request an absentee ballot?
All Michigan residents can vote absentee by mail without an excuse or a reason. Michigan registered voters can request an absentee ballot online.
Voters can return their absentee ballot to their Clerk's office via dropbox, or by mail at least two weeks prior to an election to avoid postal delays.
Michigan absentee ballot postage is pre-paid.
Out of state voters can visit vote.org to learn more about requesting an absentee ballot in the state they are registered in.
What is Early Voting?
According to new Michigan election law, voters are now able to vote in-person for nine days prior to election day. Learn more about early voting and find your early vote location today!
Where is my polling location?
Can college students be poll workers?
Michigan needs election inspectors (poll workers)!
Democracy MVP is the state of Michigan's non-partisan poll worker program. College students can sign-up, get trained, and get paid to serve in a Michigan election.
Learn more about getting signed up today.
I couldn't find the answer to my question.
Have a question that we didn't answer?
Michigan.gov/vote has a list of frequently asked questions that might be able to help. Or, email volunteer.center@cmich.edu and we will do our best to help you.