Romney’s disapproval of the 2009 automotive bailout most likely will hurt his approval among Michigan’s voters. An NBC News/Marist poll in February 2012 shows 63 percent of registered Michigan voters in favor of the auto bailout. With such support, the Obama campaign most likely will concentrate on this accolade when trying to earn Michigan votes this November.

Among student voters, Obama remains popular in Michigan. His support of gay marriage likely will help to earn young votes, who, according to a May 2011 Gallup poll, have a 70 percent approval rating for gay marriage. The election most likely will be decided on other issues, such as the economy and national security, but social issues such as gay marriage might help sway young voters toward Obama.

Obama and Romney both supported a bill that would extend low interest rate student loans. Loan rates are a crucial issue for students, as the Project on Student Debt found that 60 percent of Michigan students graduate in debt to student loans.

Currently, the interest rate on a student loan is 3.4 percent. If Congress can’t pass a bill extending rates, starting July 1 the rate will double to 6.8 percent. Democrats proposed a plan that would subsidize student loans using a payroll tax on certain private businesses, but it was unable to get the 60 votes necessary to begin debate. Republicans’ version of the bill subsidized these loans by eliminating a preventive health fund in the 2010 health care law, which also failed with a 34-62 vote. Earlier in May, Republicans blocked a similar version of the Democratic bill.

If Congress is unable to pass this bill before July 1, Mitt Romney might face guilt by association because of the inability of Senate Republicans to work in a bipartisan effort with Democrats in order to extend these low-interest loans, which most likely will hurt him among student voters.

But there has been talk of Romney considering Gov. Rick Snyder as his potential vice presidential candidate. If Romney chooses Snyder as his running mate, his chance at winning Michigan would be much higher, as many Michigan voters would be more compelled to vote for someone who would represent their interests and their state in the White House.

Michigan is a key battleground state for these candidates this November. Both of these candidates have voiced their opinions on important issues to Michigan voters, especially students, and when Michigan voters visit the polls this November, this state could be the deciding factor in the presidential election.