Election Day just got a little more complicated for first-time voters.
Across the state, registered voters are learning that, unless they registered in person with the City Clerk or at a Secretary of State’s office, they cannot vote absentee in this election.
That’s because new voting rules in Michigan mandate first-time voters under the age of 60, registered by mail, to show identification and vote in person.
Former Seaholm student Paul Beshouri, now a sophomore at Central Michigan University, is not happy with the change.
“It’s an attempt to make it difficult for younger people to vote,” said Beshouri.
However, Birmingham City Clerk Nancy Weiss said the measure was needed to insure accuracy.
“It is not an attempt to make it difficult,” said Weiss. “It’s an attempt to eliminate any kind of voter fraud that could occur.”
Weiss stressed that there’s a big difference between registering in person and simply mailing in a form; both sending a registration form in the mail and voting absentee could provide an opportunity for fraud.
Dr. Paul Kubicek, a professor of political science at Oakland University, said the measure was necessary.
“Clearly you have to register in person and you actually have to go and vote in person,” said Kubicek.
However, Kubicek also noted that the law could be interpreted as voter restraint.
“If you were genuinely absentee…it could be considered voter suppression law,” said Kubicek.
Ashley Haglund, a Seaholm graduate and freshman at Michigan State University, said the rules make things harder, but she understands their importance.
“It’s a big deal to vote,” said Haglund. “You want to make sure everything’s done legitimately.”
Regardless, some young voters are upset with the lengths they have to go to in order to vote. the lengths they have to go to in order to vote.
“I have to drive two hours home from Central to vote,” said Beshouri.
Young people make up a considerable amount of voters in Michigan. In the primary earlier this year, 15 percent of all voters were under the age of 29, according to statistics collected by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
The upcoming election is expected to bring in record-breaking numbers of voters. For the first time ever in the state of Michigan, as many as 5 million people may vote. If absentee ballot issues prevent a significant number of first-time voters from casting their ballot, the move could have an effect on these numbers.
However, Weiss isn’t worried that will happen.
“No, I don’t think [a decrease in voters] will be the case,” said Weiss.
Beshouri said voter education efforts on the CMU campus are helping students understand the process.
“I’ve become very familiar with the rules,” said Beshouri.
Carrie Campana, a freshman at Illinois State and former Seaholm student, was able to register at the Secretary of State office, but she said that the rules were not fully explained to her.
“The only reason I knew about [the law] was through my government class,” said Campana.
Regardless of the law, Haglund believes that young voters will still find a way to vote.
“People are energized to vote,” said Haglund.
“They will do whatever it takes.”
