Freedom to Vote Volunteers Shift Tactics As Winter Approaches

By Rachel Diehl, Organizer for Regions 1 and 3, Student Program Coordinator | December 7, 2021

As the year (and decent weather) draws to a close for 2021, Voters Not Politicians is continuing full-steam ahead on its campaign to raise the alarm about the anti-voter Secure MI Vote petition. Gray skies, chilly winds, and early snow have not slowed our exhilarated volunteer teams, who day in and day out do the work of ensuring that casting a ballot in our state will continue to be fair, easy, and accessible — but we have shifted from outdoor events to mostly indoors given the conditions outside. 

Learn more about the work our FTV volunteers are doing on the frontline!

We are maintaining high energy in our volunteer corps! We are focusing on our weekly pro-democracy phonebanks, and our upcoming Voter Voices Workshop session aimed at allowing Michiganders a virtual space to talk about why the ability to vote freely and easily is so important to them, as well as strategizing and building up our volunteer networks. All of this work now will ensure we are ready to hit the ground at a full-sprint in early 2022!

One volunteer who has seamlessly transitioned from outdoor to indoor activism is Bob Anderson of Marquette County. Bob, who is also the Zone 1A Field Coordinator and sits on the VNP Policy Committee, was a grassroots events champion throughout the summer and fall months, including tabling at the farmers market, knocking doors, and completing spotter routes throughout town. 

But when the season started to change in the Upper Peninsula, Bob and his team began to work with municipalities to encourage them to pass VNP-developed resolutions and take a stand against anti-voter efforts like the “Secure” MI Vote petition. November 8th marked the beginning of this effort, as Bob and three other VNP volunteers took to the mic at a Marquette City Commission meeting to urge the Commission to adopt a resolution. They are hoping the resolution will pass this month. Bob and his team have expanded their advocacy to neighboring municipalities as well. They hope to see pro-voter resolutions taken up across the county, making it very clear to residents that their elected local officials oppose the petition.

If you are interested in reaching out to your local commission, contact your Regional Organizer today!