Lake Michigan College is hosting a series of election-year events for its new LMC Votes! initiative.
Tuesday, September 18 – Constitution Day Presentation: "The Constitutional Expansion of the Franchise"
The public is invited to a special Constitution Day presentation by guest speaker and elections specialist, Christopher Thomas. Thomas will present "The Constitutional Expansion of the Franchise" at the Benton Harbor Campus Hanson Technology Center, Room 123, from noon to 1p.m.
Thomas brings vast expertise from his career in Washington D.C. working with the U.S. House of Representatives and the Federal Election Commission. He served the Michigan Department of State administering legislation for elections, campaign finance and lobbying. In 2013, Thomas was appointed by President Barack Obama as a Commissioner on the Presidential Commission on Election Administration, which made recommendations to improve the Election Day experience of America's voters.
Tuesday, September 25 - National Voter Registration Day
Students, volunteers and members of the League of Women Voters Berrien Cass County will helping citizens register to vote. Voter Registration will be held in the Benton Harbor Campus Todd Center (former WMU-Southwest building), and in the Main Building bookstore entrance, from 11a.m. to 2p.m.
Tuesday, September 25 - Civil Rights Panel
A panel of guests will present and answer questions about voter rights. The Civil Rights Panel event will take place in the Benton Harbor Campus Todd Center Room 1304, from noon to 1p.m.
Tuesday, October 9 - Party at the Mailbox
Voters can bring their absentee ballots to LMC for secure mailing. Guests can also enjoy food, games and music. Party at the Mailbox will be held in the Benton Harbor Campus Main Building, Hawks Nest, from 11a.m. to 1p.m.
Tuesday, November 6 - Election Day
LMC will offer shuttles to transport voters from the Benton Harbor Campus to various precinct polling locations on Election Day, November 6.
Tuesday, November 6 - Election Night Party
Students, employees and volunteers will gather to watch live polling results. The Election Night Party will be held in the Benton Harbor Campus Todd Center, Room 1306, from 6 - 9p.m.
About LMC Votes!
The LMC Votes! events are part of a non-partisan national Voter Friendly Campus program. A Special Topics Political Science class will be offered at Lake Michigan College every other fall on election years. Students will gain hands-on experience with staffing voter registration tables, giving presentations, organizing chat forums and keeping students informed about candidates. They’ll also hear guest speakers, practice analyzing voter data using Statistical Analysis Software and learn about fiscal budgeting. If the 2018 inaugural class succeeds in its goals to encourage students to participate in voting, Lake Michigan College will become the state’s only community college to earn a “Voter Friendly Campus” title.
