Capitol News

WKAR Public Media at Michigan State University has partnered with the East Lansing City Clerk to host an Early Voting Center (EVC) for the November 5 general election.

The East Lansing Early Voting Center will be located in WKAR TV Studio B, Room 195-A, in the Communication Arts & Sciences building at 404 Wilson Road on the MSU campus. The EVC at WKAR will open on Monday, October 21 and operate daily through Sunday, November 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Free parking will be available in Lot 52, located on the south side of the Communication Arts & Sciences Building off Red Cedar Road. Additional pay-by-plate parking will be available in adjacent Ramp 5 at 1149 Red Cedar Road, East Lansing, MI 48824.

Many on-campus residents will find the location walkable and accessible via public transportation. The Communication Arts and Sciences building is served by CATA bus routes 24, 25 (stop 4688), and 33 (stop 4544).

MSU and East Lansing officials are looking forward to the launch of the Early Voting Center in October.

“Engagement with our communities has been fundamental to Michigan State’s land-grant mission since our founding,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz. “Partnering with East Lansing helps us better serve the community we share, support the democracy we cherish and develop the informed and engaged citizens we need to navigate the challenges of today and tomorrow."

“We are so excited to be able to host an Early Voting Center at the Communication Arts Building under the auspices of WKAR! This is a great opportunity for all involved and we are very grateful to our partners at Michigan State University for helping to make this possible,” said East Lansing City Clerk Marie Wicks.

“As the public media station serving East Lansing and the surrounding area, WKAR is working hard to ensure that our community has access to election news, information, and resources needed to make informed decisions,” said Shawn Turner, WKAR general manager. “It’s an honor to partner with East Lansing to extend our 2024 election support to our community by serving as an early voting site where people can cast their ballot.”

WKAR TV Studio B will be converted from an active production and recording studio for use as a voting center. Cameras and other recording equipment will be removed or deactivated, and all facility requirements necessary for a voting center will be met.

A second Early Voting Center will be held in the Banquet Room of the East Lansing Hannah Community Center at 819 Abbot Road. The EVC there will open on Saturday, October 26 and operate daily through Sunday, November 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Community members registered to vote in East Lansing can vote early or tabulate an absentee ballot at either location regardless of their regular polling place.

Residents who meet the 30-day residency requirement may also register to vote and cast a ballot at either EVC or at the City Clerk’s main office at 410 Abbot Road.

Both EVC locations will also serve as Election Day Voting Centers on Tuesday, November 5 allowing individuals to register to vote and cast their ballot.

Registering to vote, becoming a paid election inspector, and additional information can be found at www.cityofeastlansing.com/elections.