TheReview_Sept_Oct_2021_FINAL

Student Experience Many students shared their excitement and positive experiences at UMMA with their peers and helped to spread the word about the importance of participating in democracy, encouraging more students to get out and vote. Staff were regularly informed by students who were there to register and vote that they had seen social media posts about the satellite office from their friends and that had inspired them to come out and register to vote as well. Rowden and Smotrich conducted surveys of students who had visited the office at UMMA, and students reported feeling that the experience made them trust the process and they felt comfortable in the space. “It felt like a place where students were invited and meant to be,” said one survey respondent. Words like “welcoming,” “easy,” and “clear” were chosen to describe the process. Following Election Day, November 3, the office was quickly closed up and the glass gallery was returned to its intended use for artistic displays. Just as quickly, conversations began about the great success of the project and plans for 2022 and beyond were part of that discussion. A big takeaway for the city was the ability to be present and available for a longer period of time, minimizing the impact of same-day voter registration in a college town. Bringing our office to our new voters, meeting them where they are and not expecting them to find us at city hall, was a big win-win for everyone. A long-time relationship between the city clerk’s office and the university was critical, but new partnerships with the arts community and the Museum and a willingness to take a chance on a different approach to the office were equally fundamental to the project’s success. The city and university are currently holding conversations to secure the space for the same period of time for 2022, recognizing the benefits of the project for all involved. A similar smaller concept is also being considered for the university’s north campus community. The presence on north campus is also expected to have artistic design elements and a creative approach.

Photo courtesy of Eric Bronson, U-M Photography.

Many students shared their excitement and positive experiences at UMMA with their peers and helped to spread the word about the importance of participating in democracy, encouraging more students to get out and vote.

Jacqueline Beaudry is the Ann Arbor City Clerk. You may reach her at 734.794.6140 or JBeaudry@a2gov.org

22 THE REVIEW

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021