Despite the rain, citizens gathered at the Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Honors College from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. to cast their votes in the midterm elections Tuesday, Nov. 6.
For Ypsilanti residents in Ward Two, Precinct Four and Ward Three, Precinct One were directed to the Honors College to cast their votes, while other ward locations included the Second Baptist Church and the Ypsilanti Senior Center.
“This is the first time we have Trump’s name not on the ballot, but his administration’s ideas are,” said EMU political science professor Dr. Jeff Bernstein. “It’s going to result in voters voting on his successes or the lack of successes.”
Honors college the morning of Election Day 2018.
Trump endorsed two major candidates in Michigan: gubernatorial candidate and current Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette, and U.S. Senate candidate and former Aviation Officer John James. Their opponents are Gretchen Whitmer, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, and Debbie Stabenow, the incumbent Senator. The results will be a telling sign of how Michigan views the current administration.
There was more on the ballot for Michigan residents than just candidates. Proposal One, if passed, would legalize the sale and possession of marijuana. Proposal Two transfers the power to draw congressional district lines to an independent committee, and Proposal Three opens eight new voting policies. Some policies include same-day voter registration, automatic voter registration, and no-excuse absentee voting.
Out showing their support for these state-wide proposals and local Ypsilanti proposals was local mother Megan Hagenauer.
Pictured above is Megan Hagenauer supporting the sinking fund for the Ypsilanti Community Schools.
“Not only are we out here for the proposals for our state. We are trying to get support for our schools, parks, and libraries. My husband is a teacher and there are leaks throughout his school. They damaged not only the building, but took out graphing calculators as well,” said Hagenauer.
Hagenauer, accompanied by her two children, was handing out leaflets showing the Democratic candidates, as well as information on the proposals they were supporting.
“There is a lot of cool stuff happening in our school district, but we do need the funding to be able to support our students. We can help our district grow but not with the water leaks in the school.”
Also around the polls were many Democratic supporters for Anthony Morgan, a candidate for city council in Ward 3.
Anthony Morgan holding up his sign, braving the rain for some last-minute campaigning.
Lorrie Thomas was handing out leaflets for all of the Democrat candidates, as well as showing her support for Morgan.
“I am really excited about having new people with new points of view coming out to vote. It really feels like it is the view of the residents coming out today,” said Thomas.
Lorrie Thomas Handing out leaflets for Morgan as well as the Democratic ticket.
EMU Students in the Pray-Harrold building, where the political science department is located. encouraged voting participation by handing out flyers.
Tamia Barnes, of Michigan Student Power Network, along with her friend, Ian Matchett, were giving out expansive student voter guides that featured three of the top positions: Governor, U.S. Senate, and Attorney General. The last race consisted of prosecutor Dana Nessel and current Speaker of the State House of Representatives Tom Leonard (R).
“We are out here for Michigan Student Power Network trying to get students out and mobilized to vote,” Barnes said. “I’m excited to hopefully see the people I want to win, win, as well as the anticipation of the young voter turnout.”
