On Monday, the Kamala Harris campaign opened a new office in Ann Arbor, Michigan, home to the University of Michigan. This city is known for its strong Democratic support and large student population, making it an important area for Democratic election strategies.
In Ann Arbor, activists are working around the clock to register young college students, who tend to lean Democratic, to vote in Michigan’s elections. One prominent spot on the university’s campus, known as “the Diag,” features a table run by the super PAC NextGen America. Here, they offer help with voter registration and give out Taylor Swift-themed friendship bracelets as rewards.
Alaina Smith, a grad student from Maine, says the Diag has long been a hub of political activism. She recalls recent campus protests and complaints that the university did not support certain groups, like those supporting Palestine. Smith notes that the university even used security to prevent some political activities.
NextGen America, founded by billionaire Tom Steyer, helps students register to vote by offering options like early voting, absentee ballots, or in-person voting. They focus on issues such as climate change and racial justice.
The University of Michigan has around 50,000 students, with about half coming from out of state. In August, many new students arrive, presenting a prime opportunity for voter registration efforts.
Forward Majority, another organization, also works on campus to register voters and brings completed forms to local election offices. They are known for their aggressive tactics and have received significant funding from left-leaning donors, such as the Soros Foundation and Lone Pine Capital.
Washtenaw County Clerk Lawrence Kestenbaum explains that voter registration drives are legal under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. This law allows groups to be as partisan as they want when registering voters.
Ann Arbor’s Democratic-leaning nature makes it crucial for the Democratic strategy in Michigan. In 2020, despite Donald Trump gaining more voters than in 2016, Joe Biden won the state by increasing the number of Democratic votes.
Forward Majority is confident that their voter registration efforts will be key in tight races, aiming to register 200,000 new voters for the 2024 election.