On Saturday, Oct. 17, Student Government hosted its second Day of Action event, with the aim of getting Flint residents engaged in and excited for the presidential election.  

Volunteers gathered at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Flint, the Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village, the Flint Development Center, and the Latinx Technology and Community Center (LTCC) to have breakfast and dispense booklets about voting rights from door to door. 

Supplied by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who sponsored this event, these booklets were complete with information on the different ways to vote in this election. 

At the LTCC, speakers like Senator Gary Peters, Congressman Dan Kildee, and Sheldon Neeley, Mayor of Flint, took to the podium to emphasize the importance of voting. 

“It’s always important to have your voice heard, but we know the most important way and the strongest way for that voice to be heard is when you cast a vote,” said Peters. 

According to Levi Todd, SG’s Director of Foreign Outreach, Flint’s historically low voter turnout rates were a big motivator for this event. 

“Sixteen percent of the city [of Flint] voted in 2016. That has to change. There’s enough people in Flint to change an election,” said Todd. 

The possibility of voting from home or by mail makes it so voting in Michigan has never been easier. That’s why this election, according to Peters, is not one to miss. 

“This is probably the most consequential election we’re going to have in our lifetime,” said Peters, “This is about the future of this country. It’s about the vision of where this country goes in the next few decades.” 

Votes can be cast early at a local clerk’s office until 4 p.m. on Nov. 2, request an absentee ballot at Michigan.gov/vote, or vote in person on Nov. 3. Those who aren’t already registered to vote can do so in a variety of ways until 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.