New voter information: what do you need to know?

Kristy Kazzi

Staff Writer

Voting might seem daunting for new voters, especially younger people who feel like they might not know enough about politics to weigh in.

The League of Women Voters (LWV) in Washtenaw County, a non-profit organization, is committed to voter education, registration, and studying issues related to democratic ideals.

According to Lynne Kochmanski, President of the LWV, their mission is to defend democracy and empower voters across all aspects of voting.

Kochmanski emphasizes the ease of absentee voting or voting by mail, highlighting the option to apply through the clerk or online and receive a ballot by mail.

“You can actually fill your ballot out at home, take it to the early voting polling place, and you can tabulate it there, into the machine,” says Kochmanski.

In today’s world, there are numerous voting methods available.

Kochmanski suggests that students should consider what matters to them while stressing the importance of older people’s participation, as “their voices are huge in terms of the outcome of elections.”

“When candidates and politicians are looking to talk about issues, they look at who’s voting,” Kochmanski says, emphasizing the need for younger voices to be heard.

Additionally, she points out that individuals aged 17 and a half are eligible to register to vote.

According to Kochmanski, staff at polling locations are friendly and helpful, simplifying the process. “You basically just take your driver’s license and show up,” she states.

Registration is possible on the day of voting.

Edward R. Golembiewski, Chief Deputy Clerk / Register & Director of Elections, recommends visiting Michigan.com/vote for additional information. Early voting dates from Feb. 17 to 25 are crucial, he notes.

Golembiewski underscores the convenience of absentee voting, particularly for busy individuals, and emphasizes the significance of all elections, not just presidential ones, as they shape future ballots.

“It’s your right,” Golembiewski said.

Voting might seem daunting initially, but there are ample resources available, from educators to online platforms, to assist.

Looking ahead timeline:

Feb. 27: Presidential Primary Election

This is when voters get to choose which candidates they want to represent each political party (like Democrats and Republicans) in the big presidential election in November. So, if you have a favorite candidate from a particular party, this is your chance to support them.

Aug. 6: Primary Election

In this election, voters select the candidates they want to represent their political party in various important positions, like state representatives (people who make laws for your state), county commissioners (people who help manage your county), and others. It’s like a warm-up before the big election in November.

Nov. 5: General Election

This is the major election where everyone votes for important positions in their area, such as county supervisors (who oversee the county’s activities), treasurers (who manage money for the area), city councils (who make decisions about local laws and budgets), and school boards (who decide things for schools). It’s the big one where a lot of decisions are made about who will lead and make decisions in your community.

To find your polling location, visit:
https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us

For more information, visit the county election website:
https://www.washtenaw.org/304/Elections

The League of Women Voters has an event going into early voting Tuesday, Feb. 13.
https://my.lwv.org/michigan/washtenaw-county/event/washtenaw-county-elections-officials-will-explain-early-voting

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