Creative Campus Voting Project

Nonpartisan initiative led by @UM_Stamps faculty Stephanie Rowden & Hannah Smotrich. We design vibrant civic experiences & spaces to increase student voting.

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

The journey to voting can feel overwhelming—so much information, so little time! 🏃⏱️ Our Voting Message Board began as a way to break it all down, week by week, deadline by deadline by answering the simple question: what’s important to know right now?

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

We've spent the last three election cycles exploring the questions that arise for new voters when they first encounter a ballot. Insights from a series of “ballot literacy” workshops and interviews formed the basis for our first draft of the Ballot Explainer.

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

Our Ballot Explainer guided voters through the main sections of the Michigan ballot. Rather than listing candidates and proposals, this visual aid gave concise answers to common questions. We are always interested in how to turn uncertainty into confidence for student voters 💬✅

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

Say hello to the Ballot Explainer! 🗳️In 2024, we aimed to demystify the voting process by breaking down the key sections of the ballot. Whether you were a first-time voter or a seasoned pro, this resource helped everyone feel informed and ready to vote 📋

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

One of the elements we added to our Voting Map in '24 was a resource tablet where voters could research up-to-date information on their state’s rules and then place their pin to pledge their intention to vote 🧐

Photo credit: Madison Brow (Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy)

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

We loved watching the Voting Map evolve! Over 10 weeks, each pin symbolized a personal commitment, transforming the map into a lively mosaic of our community in action 🗳️💪

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

Our Participatory Voting Map encouraged students to reflect on their voting plans early in the semester. We created a vibrant felt map and digital research tools to make the act of voting accessible, visible, and fun. 🗺️✨

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

We're taking some time to reflect on our 2024 work--there's so much to sift through: early drafts, process images, videos--and we want to share some of the gems we're coming across! Thank you for following our work, and stay tuned as we start planning for the 2026 midterms.

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

Watch it come to life! ✨ The Button Wall at the Duderstadt Voting Hub is:

✔️ Fun
✔️ Colorful
✔️ Selfie-Friendly™️

... because voting should be as fun as it is important 💫

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

If there's one thing you need to know about Stephanie, it's that she loves felt almost as much as she loves voting 🗳️💖(and that's saying a lot.)

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

We are so grateful for our partnership with the A2 City Clerks 💕 Their tireless work in the last few weeks has helped make the voting process clear, friendly (and fun!) for students & people in our community.

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

UMICH Votes Fellows are standing by to help you make your very own ✨Custom Button✨ to celebrate your visit to the Campus Voting Hub! Stop by during open hours to design personalized voting swag for you (and your friends too!)

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

Our design work doesn't end with the Voting Hubs themselves--we also put a lot of time & care into producing ✨ OODLES of signage ✨ (very technical terminology) to inform students about deadlines, encourage them make a voting plan, and cast their ballots.

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

This Florida voter stopped by the hub last week with some questions about her absentee ballot--we pointed her to the nearest post office where she could drop off her ballot & sent her off with some fun merch to match her personality quiz results. We're so proud of all our voters!

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

Things are getting busy at the Voting Hubs--we couldn't be more thrilled to report that❗️over a THOUSAND❗️people voted at the Campus Voting Hubs over the weekend! It's incredible to see so many student getting out to vote early! ⏰

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

Big thanks to the awesome group of Stamps students who dropped by the North Campus Voting Hub yesterday! 🎨🗳️ They took our fun personality quiz, grabbed some swag, and crushed it decorating their own voting tote bags! (Designed by Lindsay Farb!)

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

Opening day at the Duderstadt Voting Hub was a blast! 🗳️🍩🎶 We were thrilled to help so many students register and cast their ballot. We also have to shout out UMich Votes for booking some truly incredible SMTD student musicians to perform in the courtyard to set the vibe 😎

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

Have you stopped by the ✨Newly Opened ✨Voting Hub at the Duderstadt yet? If you’re not familiar with the layout of North Campus, don’t fret–the CCVP team has installed some helpful way-finding signage, like this giant floor decal in Pierpoint Commons! 🗳️🎨

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

We're so thrilled to see students registering & voting at the Voting Hub at UMMA we designed!

This project is possible because of our close partnership with UMMA and the Ann Arbor City Clerk's office—this is our third election cycle working together! 🗳️❤️

[Creative Campus Voting Project @ArtDesignVote]

In our feelings about this year's UMICH Votes Fellows cohort 🥰