After today, the vacant 23rd District Senate seat will be a two-person race.
Voters will have an opportunity in today's primary to select a candidate from each party to run in the March 14 special election.
All of the precincts within the district are open for the primary, said Ingham County Clerk Mike Bryanton. To find out where you need to go to vote visit www.cityofeastlansing.com and click on the City Clerk Office in the Depts/Divisions drop-down menu.
Student turnout for the primary — and any election — is very important, said Steve Purchase, president of the MSU College Democrats.
"Especially on campus, young people have a bad rap for not turning out. This is another opportunity for students to prove people wrong," Purchase said.
He said the group has been active in trying to get people to register and then vote.
"People have taken notice of the work we have done on campus to foster a politically engaged population," Purchase said. "We want to create an environment of consistency of turnout."
This makes students more powerful as a political group, Purchase said.
It can make politicians believe "this is a group that is worth talking to and answering questions from because they can make a difference in elections," Purchase said.
MSU College Republicans Chairperson Justine Ivanoff also believes students need to be involved.
"Students should care about this," Ivanoff said. "We need to be able to voice our opinions, to do that we need to vote."
MSU political science Professor Paul Abramson said it is particularly important to take part in a primary if you have a strong preference for a party or candidate.
"It's important to put forward a strong candidate," Abramson said.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today for the 23rd District Senate special primary election. The spot was left vacant when Virg Bernero was elected mayor of Lansing.
DEMOCRAT
Anthony Benavides
"Our governmental system has failed, and we need a change. We can't afford to stay within the status quo."
His top priority is improving education in Michigan, and he has proposed a 15-percent reduction in legislative salaries to help pay for it he said.
"If we expect our community to make sacrifices, our government has to make them, too."
DEMOCRAT
Melissa Sue Robinson
"With my background in business, I understand how laws really affect actual businesses."
Reducing taxes and reforming the regulatory environment in the state are the keys to attracting new businesses to Michigan, she said.
"We don't need more of the same. Michigan needs people who are willing to change."
DEMOCRAT
Rep. Gretchen Whitmer
"As a sitting member, I have relationships with people in both chambers. I can begin to make a contribution on my first day."
She said education should be the state's priority.
"One of the things that I still hope to work on is funding for education. That's the best use of taxpayer dollars that we can make."
REPUBLICAN
John Findlay
"If I am going to represent you, I need to represent you in the legislature, but I also need to be in touch with you to understand what your needs are."
A major goal of his is increasing student loans and university funding he said.
"I know the inside and outside of government, the inner workings of government."
REPUBLICAN
Vince Green
"I am not a politician. What I bring will be fresh ideas to the Senate. I think being out in the 'real world' is a benefit."
Green believes his background as a business owner will help him get the economy back on track and said the state should keep college affordable.
"We can't keep pricing kids out of college."
