Settlement leads to more accessible voting options for college students

A new legal settlement says college students in Michigan can vote using their campus address and by mail.

Michigan law requires first-time voters to go to the polls and for all voters to vote in the precinct that corresponds with the address on their state ID. The Michigan Federation of College Democrats and a number of universities sued to challenge two state laws.

Jocelyn Benson is the Secretary of State. Benson says, “My intention is to ensure that this stays apolitical. This is about voters of all backgrounds being able to cast their ballot and have their voice heard.”

In a statement, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said the "legal settlement in Michigan today will make voting more accessible for tens of thousands of students in a crucial swing state ahead of the 2020 election cycle." 

To encourage young voters, the Secretary of State's office plans to create a website, revise election materials, and do outreach to university students.