Editor's note: The Eastern Echo is conducting a survey to learn more about students' thoughts on student government elections. The survey is open to all EMU students and can be found here.
In March 2025, the Eastern Michigan University Student Government election was decided by 5.4% of the student body. Only 644 students cast ballots to give select peers the power to advocate for the student body behind closed doors and control a six-figure budget.
Low voter turnout in 2025 was not an anomaly. Since 2019, student government elections at EMU have been decided by an average of 602 votes. The average turnout during these years has been 4.6% of the student body, the entirety of which is entitled to vote under the Student Government Constitution. In 2021, turnout dropped as low as 1.6%, according to enrollment data on EMU's website and election results posted to the Student Government website.
In contrast to recent turnout numbers for EMU Student Government, statewide turnout in local and federal elections was 61.7% in 2020 and 40.8% in 2022 among 18- to 29-year-olds, according to a June 2024 report by the Michigan Department of State.
During this academic year, the sitting administration has enacted several resolutions. In the fall 2025 semester, it voted to continue funding bus passes and New York Times subscriptions for EMU students. Other resolutions allocated funding for event-specific items, such as Starbucks vouchers for a series of events with Counseling and Psychological Services, flu vaccines and tickets to the recent MLK President's Luncheon event.
The Eastern Echo spoke with three individuals Jan. 22, 2026, to get their thoughts on Student Government elections. Chris Santiago, a second-year chemistry student who is part of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity on campus, said he hasn't voted in previous Student Government elections but would consider voting in the upcoming election March 25 and 26.
"I know a couple of fraternity brothers [that are] not in my frat — I know they're really heavy into Student Government, so they sometimes inform me about things," Santiago said, adding that he wasn't very aware of EMU Student Government in general.
Javonte Holmes, a junior mechanical engineering major, also has not voted in previous Student Government elections but said he would possibly participate this year.
When asked about Student Government overall, Holmes replied, "I don't really know too much about it. I hear some things here and there, but I don't really get into that."
Faris Weiss, an English major who has attended EMU for more than four years, said she does not plan to vote in the upcoming election due to a lack of interest.
"I've just not really had much passion in the school itself, and only recently have I found any joys in any of the programs," Weiss said.
EMU is not alone when it comes to low engagement in student government elections. Turnout at the University of Michigan has averaged 16.4% in the last three cycles, and Western Michigan University saw an average of 3.7% turnout from 2020 through 2024, according to data accessed through the schools' respective websites.
In concluding her thoughts on the upcoming EMU Student Government election, Weiss said, "I'm hoping I can find a reason to care, cause that would be lovely."
