More than 1,000 high school students have registered to vote ahead of the 2022 elections, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced Wednesday, as the students take advantage of a state law that allows registration in the year someone turns 18.
The registrations are part of Benson’s MI Vote Matters initiative challenging Michigan high schoolers this spring semester to learn about their right to vote and register. It is supported by nonpartisan groups like the League of Women Voters and the Michigan Center for Civic Education.
State law says U.S. citizens at least 17.5 years old can pre-register to vote before they turn 18, and then automatically become voters on their 18th birthday. The first opportunity for these new Michigan voters to cast ballots will be the Aug. 2 primary election.
“The best way to foster a robust democracy is by ensuring our next generation of voters has the tools and information they need to engage in it,” Benson said in a statement.
Click here to learn how you can register to vote in Michigan. You can check your registration status and find other helpful information about elections online at the Michigan Voter Information Center website.
Through Benson’s MI Vote Matters initiative, newly registered students can have their registration counted toward their school’s participation numbers. Schools will get special recognition if 50% (bronze), 70% (silver) or 90% (gold) of all eligible high school seniors are registered.
More than 90 schools are participating, Benson’s office said, and the contest ends Friday, May 27. Results will be announced in June and a ceremony will be held in the fall.
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