The East Lansing City Council Election will take place on Nov. 4 and some students will be eligible to vote for the very first time. Voters will choose two candidates out of the six who are running for both open spots on the city council, and will also decide whether or not to approve a new millage to help fund the Parks and Recreation Department. 

“This is an important time in our country, because a lot [is] happening, so you got to have your voice be out there so you can do what you want and be represented,” Quinn LaFaive (12) said.

LaFaive plans to cast his vote for the very first time in this election, and feels excited to fulfill his “civic duty.” His interest in voting was instilled into him by his mom.

“She’s always been very vocal about voting and saying it’s super important.”

The general election will be held in person from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 4 at many different polling locations found on the City of East Lansing website. Same-day voting registration at the City Clerk’s office is permitted until the end of the general election.

This election may be getting less attention than others, but the city council does make decisions about local police, parks and recreation, and other public services.

“I think kids would like to know more about how local elections impact them,” social studies teacher Emily Zann said. “I don’t think kids fully understand the influence that [students] could have over [them].”

Zann talks a lot about voting in her classes, always encouraging her students to vote.

“I want kids to feel like when they turn 18 that they’re prepared to vote and that it’s not something they need to figure out,” Zann said.

The candidates running for city council include Adam DeLay, Kath Edsall, Chuck Grigsby, Joshua Ramirez-Roberts, Liam Richichi and Steve Whelan. Useful information on the candidates can be found on the East Lansing Info website.

Most students haven’t done much research on the candidates yet, but still think it’s very important to cast a vote and definitely plan on doing so.

“Just because it’s not affecting you doesn’t mean it’s not affecting millions of other people in the country,” Sofia Roger-Cooper (12) said. “I think it’s good to voice your opinions, especially as a woman. We fought so hard to be able to vote, and then [to] just throw that away [is] crazy to me.”

Roger-Cooper was influenced early-on by her parents and values having her voice heard.

“I worked the polls last November, and now I’m doing petition stuff for people to put education funding on the ballot.”

Although this election is not as big as some others, many still plan to vote because East Lansing residents will be impacted by it.

“It’s really not hard,” Zann said. “No one’s gonna turn you away from the voting booth. They’re gonna accept your vote.”