Lansing — Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilcrhrist proclaimed the week of September 8-14 as Voter Pre-Registration Week in Michigan. Preregistration allows teenage Michiganders 16 years and older to take proactive action and ensure they are enrolled to vote as soon as they turn 18.
“Our democracy is strongest when every eligible citizen can make their voices heard at the ballot box,” said Governor Whitmer. “Here in Michigan, we’ve taken action to protect everyone’s constitutional right to vote. I signed laws establishing a voter preregistration system that helps young Michiganders be ready to vote as soon as they turn 18. This system allows future voters to take proactive action and empowers our kids to become more civically engaged, helping us build a stronger democracy for every Michigander. No matter who you are or who you’re voting for, I’ll keep fighting against voter suppression laws and make it easier for you to cast your vote and have it counted.”
According to a release from the Office of the Governor, historically, younger voters have been underrepresented at the polls. Younger voters often lack the resources and support needed to learn how to register to vote and cast their ballots. Initiatives such as preregistration spur interest in civic engagement and enable young voters to get informed and excited about voting at the local, state, and federal levels. Preregistration Week also offers an opportunity to open a dialogue about voting at home and school, encouraging younger voters to talk with their parents, educators, and peers about voting and how to make their voices heard in our democracy.
“Voting is a fundamental right, and it’s crucial that we continue taking action to knock down unnecessary barriers to the ballot box so every citizen can participate in our democracy,” said Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist. “Initiatives like Voter Preregistration Week do just that by energizing younger voters to become active participants in our democracy. As Lieutenant Governor, I am proud to have led initiatives like MI First Vote, which emphasized the importance of voting to young people in the runup to the 2022 election. In that election, Michigan saw the highest youth voter turnout rate in the country, proving that if we reach out, young people understand they are the future and use their voices to shape our state government. This week, let’s build on that momentum so everyone heads to the polls this November.”
With more than 126,000 young people in Michigan eligible to preregister to vote, Voter Preregistration Week reflects the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration’s commitment to making sure all Michiganders’ voices are heard. This week and beyond, Governor Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist are committed to expanding access to the ballot box by ensuring every eligible Michigander has the opportunity and information to enroll as a registered voter.
The release from the Office of the Governor also pointed out the work of the Whitmer administration to expand voting rights in Michigan:
- Signed a historic package of bills that improve election efficiency, increase voter registration opportunities, and protect equal access to the ballot box, ensuring every Michigander’s voice is heard in our democracy.
- Signed bipartisan legislation ensuring that absentee voter ballots from military and overseas voters are counted if received up to six days after an election.
- Signed various bills into law implementing Ballot Proposal 22-2, including bills making it easier to vote in Michigan by requiring state-funded absentee ballot drop boxes, requiring nine days of early in-person voting, established a permanent absentee ballot list, and more.
- Signed an executive directive to boost voter registration, instructing all state departments and agencies to identify and assess potential opportunities to help eligible Michiganders register to vote and gain access to reliable information about voting.
- Vetoed several bills that would make it significantly harder for Michiganders to participate in our democracy.
