Eastern Votes built a connection between politics and comedy with “Spooky Scary Politics: A Stand-Up Night." On Oct. 12, 2026, about 30 people gathered in Room 300 of the Student Center for a night filled with political comedy and talks on the importance of voting.
Eastern Votes is a nonpartisan voter registration and education initiative on campus. At the event, Eastern Votes provided students with information on how to register to vote, how to vote and how to request an absentee ballot, as well as a pocket guide for Michigan voters.
The event opened with Eastern Votes President Jason Folk and Vice President Suzie Bazzi introducing themselves and thanking the Eastern Votes executive board, as well as their partners and cohosts, for the event. Then they introduced the night’s special guest, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, the Democratic candidate for Michigan secretary of state.
Gilchrist introduced himself to the audience before telling a number of jokes. Gilchrist spoke on some of his campaign policies, like protecting Michigan’s election integrity and voter data and shining light on corporate money that corrupts politics. He also spoke on his specialized ability to protect data, given his prior experience as a software engineer for Microsoft.
To end his opening remarks, Gilchrist emphasized the importance of being engaged in civic duties and attending community events.
“Being at events like this, or just frankly being engaged, being voters, convincing people to do their part, it makes a big difference,” Gilchrist said.
Gilchrist proved that politicians can be comedians too, keeping the audience engaged and laughing throughout his stand-up performance. He began his act with the statement, “Now, I’m not funny, but I am a dad. So, you know what’s coming.”
Gilchrist told seven jokes with different themes primarily centered around Halloween and the upcoming election.
"Why can't skeletons say Joe Biden won the 2022 election?" Gilchrist asked the crowd. "Because they have no guts."
He continued to joke, "Why is it so cheap to throw a party at a haunted house?" The audience asked why. "Because the ghosts bring all the booze," Gilchrist replied.
"What do you call a man who can't stand?" Gilchrist asked. The crowd asked what. "Neil," Gilchrist replied as the audience erupted into laughter.
Katie George, EMU student and president of the Feminism for All Beings club on campus, followed Gilchrist’s act with her own. George told several jokes about ongoing construction projects, cannabis use in Michigan, her grandmother’s recent coin-collecting hobby and more.
Upon wrapping up the stand-up performances, Quinana Lovett, a 2025 graduate of EMU’s College in Prison program, spoke on the importance of being civically engaged. She shared her story, having been incarcerated for 16 years and losing her right to vote. Lovett explained that for years, she watched political movements unfold, wishing she had the ability to engage. She emphasized the importance of using one’s ability to stay civically engaged because it is something that can be lost.
The night ended with closing remarks from Decky Alexander, director of Engage@EMU. Alexander reiterated Lovett’s and Gilchrist’s statements about the importance of voting and being politically engaged.
Eastern Votes posts information about upcoming events on Instagram @easternvotes.
