Sabaugh visits schools to get 17-year-olds ready for November
By Chad Selweski
Macomb Daily Staff Writer
County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh on Tuesday registered her 800th high school student of 2008 to vote during a visit to Warren Woods Tower High School.
Sabaugh has been conducting registration drives at numerous local high schools, pre-registering 17-year-olds who will be 18 and eligible by Election Day in November.
At Woods Tower, the sign-up for the future voters took place during a cap-and-gown fitting session for seniors who are preparing for graduation. Sixty-three students filled out registration forms, bringing Sabaugh's countywide total to 812.
The advantage of registering with a municipal or county clerk rather than by mail is that students may cast an absentee ballot while away at college in the fall. Those who register by mail must vote in person at their Macomb County polling place when they cast their first ballot.
In Michigan, any U.S. citizen who will be at least 18 on Election Day can register up until 30 days before the Nov. 4 election. When Sabaugh first launched her effort directed at high school seniors several years ago, many of the 17-year-olds were surprised they were eligible to sign up.
Since April, Sabaugh has conducted voter registrations at Center Line, Chippewa Valley, Mohegan, East Detroit, Mount Clemens, New Haven, Romeo, Eisenhower, Henry Ford II, Utica, Cousino and Enterprise high schools.
Macomb County Photo
County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh, left, helps Warren Woods Tower High School senior Carmen Aboujaoude register to vote Tuesday.