Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Student-Athletes Launch Voting Initiative
7/20/2020 11:28:00 AM | General, SASS, Engagement
SAAC encourages participating in the ultimate responsibility as a citizen
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has launched a voter registration within the EMU student-athlete population. The goal is to challenge every eligible member of Eastern's 18 varsity sports to be registered to vote in the upcoming elections.
"Athletics provides a stage for student athletes to showcase their talent," said Ian Cook, EMU SAAC President and men's cross country student-athlete. "With this spotlight also comes the responsibility of being a role model in the community. Recognize the opportunity that you have to lead and set the example. Register to vote, encourage others to do the same, and exercise your right as an American to vote.
The events in the country over the past few months have motivated many people, including a large number of student-athletes, to use their voices. With more than 450 student-athletes on campus at EMU and roughly 460,000 NCAA student-athletes throughout the country, each and every one of their voices matter. The group encourages all members of the Eastern Michigan community to take advantage of this opportunity and to fulfill their responsibility.
"As student-athletes, we have a platform that offers my teammates, other EMU student-athletes, and I the opportunity to use our voices in a positive and influential way when other individuals may not have the chance to do so," added Tessa Osborne, SAAC Vice President and women's soccer standout. "With that being said, it is crucial that we recognize what our country is going through right now and the ways we can make a difference."
"It is imperative that we use our voices through voting to create positive change," mentioned SAAC Diversity, Inclusion & Equity Chairperson Derek Ballard Jr.
Nationally, the NCAA has taken notice of the impact that student-athletes can make. They are encouraging students to continue to make their voices heard on important issues, engage in community activism and exercise their Constitutional rights. Furthermore, the NCAA is encouraging all member schools to assist students in registering to vote in the upcoming national election and designate Nov. 3, 2020, as a day off from athletics activity so athletes can "vote and participate in their ultimate responsibility as citizens".
"Our country is going through some unprecedented times right now," said EMU football player and SAAC representative Tariq Speights. "Regardless of our political viewpoints, we all know the difference between right and wrong. We want to help show our fellow student-athletes that they have a voice, a vote, an opportunity to enact the change that we want to see in our country.
As part of the efforts, EMU student-athletes will be posting graphics on social media when they are registered to vote.
Monday, July 20, is the last day Michigan voters can register online to vote by mail in upcoming August primary elections.
All registered voters in Michigan can digitally request an absentee ballot for the Aug. 4 primary and Nov. 3 general election at Michigan.gov/vote. After July 20, voters must request an absentee ballot either by appearing in person at their local clerk's office or by mailing their clerk an absent voter ballot application available online.
Since Proposal 3 passed in 2018, there is no deadline to register to vote in the State of Michigan. Michigan now allows same day registration. Each state though is different, so voters should check with their local or state election officials for complete details.
The mission of SAAC is to be the student-athlete voice to the athletic administration and provide a bridge between the student-athletes and the entire university community. SAAC is a member committee made up of two or more representatives from each of the 18 sports at Eastern Michigan.
To register to vote, visit vote.org.
To complete the 2020 census, visit 2020census.gov.
"Athletics provides a stage for student athletes to showcase their talent," said Ian Cook, EMU SAAC President and men's cross country student-athlete. "With this spotlight also comes the responsibility of being a role model in the community. Recognize the opportunity that you have to lead and set the example. Register to vote, encourage others to do the same, and exercise your right as an American to vote.
The events in the country over the past few months have motivated many people, including a large number of student-athletes, to use their voices. With more than 450 student-athletes on campus at EMU and roughly 460,000 NCAA student-athletes throughout the country, each and every one of their voices matter. The group encourages all members of the Eastern Michigan community to take advantage of this opportunity and to fulfill their responsibility.
"As student-athletes, we have a platform that offers my teammates, other EMU student-athletes, and I the opportunity to use our voices in a positive and influential way when other individuals may not have the chance to do so," added Tessa Osborne, SAAC Vice President and women's soccer standout. "With that being said, it is crucial that we recognize what our country is going through right now and the ways we can make a difference."
"It is imperative that we use our voices through voting to create positive change," mentioned SAAC Diversity, Inclusion & Equity Chairperson Derek Ballard Jr.
Nationally, the NCAA has taken notice of the impact that student-athletes can make. They are encouraging students to continue to make their voices heard on important issues, engage in community activism and exercise their Constitutional rights. Furthermore, the NCAA is encouraging all member schools to assist students in registering to vote in the upcoming national election and designate Nov. 3, 2020, as a day off from athletics activity so athletes can "vote and participate in their ultimate responsibility as citizens".
"Our country is going through some unprecedented times right now," said EMU football player and SAAC representative Tariq Speights. "Regardless of our political viewpoints, we all know the difference between right and wrong. We want to help show our fellow student-athletes that they have a voice, a vote, an opportunity to enact the change that we want to see in our country.
As part of the efforts, EMU student-athletes will be posting graphics on social media when they are registered to vote.
Monday, July 20, is the last day Michigan voters can register online to vote by mail in upcoming August primary elections.
All registered voters in Michigan can digitally request an absentee ballot for the Aug. 4 primary and Nov. 3 general election at Michigan.gov/vote. After July 20, voters must request an absentee ballot either by appearing in person at their local clerk's office or by mailing their clerk an absent voter ballot application available online.
Since Proposal 3 passed in 2018, there is no deadline to register to vote in the State of Michigan. Michigan now allows same day registration. Each state though is different, so voters should check with their local or state election officials for complete details.
The mission of SAAC is to be the student-athlete voice to the athletic administration and provide a bridge between the student-athletes and the entire university community. SAAC is a member committee made up of two or more representatives from each of the 18 sports at Eastern Michigan.
To register to vote, visit vote.org.
To complete the 2020 census, visit 2020census.gov.
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