By Melinda Billingsley
Next week, when the Promote the Vote 2022 coalition submits their petition signatures, over 170,000 of them will have come from Voters Not Politicians volunteer circulators. From micro-circulators to super-circulators to our top five on the leaderboard, along with every volunteer and staff member who supports them, Voters Not Politicians has been a driving force in this campaign, and we’re excited to share just how much our grassroots power has made an impact.
Voters Not Politicians has organized over 2,000 volunteers across the state in our mission to engage Michiganders in structural democracy change, and given them a meaningful way to participate in direct democracy: gathering signatures and support from over 170,000 Michiganders to put the change they believe in on the statewide ballot.
Where other ballot initiatives have failed to get the required number of signatures to succeed, VNP volunteers are energized and committed to making positive change, and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. At a time when signatures from paid circulators could cost as much as $20 apiece, VNP volunteers contributed enormous value through their time and dedication!
Every week, VNP volunteers have continued to surpass all expectations:
- Several regional teams have consistently hit over 100% of their weekly collection goals.
- 121 volunteer field coordinators and team leaders have worked to support volunteers in every region in the state.
- 16 circulators have gathered upwards of 1,000 signatures each.
- Micro-circulators – measured as those who’ve gathered 20 signatures or less – have contributed over 10,000 signatures to our total.
In 2018, Voters Not Politicians volunteers shocked the nation when they collected 425,000 signatures in only 4 months, leading to a revolutionary change in Michigan’s democracy. This year, they’re continuing that legacy by leading the way among volunteers working across the Promote the Vote 2022 coalition to protect Michiganders’ fundamental right to vote.
Lauri Lisi should be added to the leaderboard. She collected more than 1000 signatures.
Thank you! So great to hear about others in the campaign and VNP success! It has been a privilege and honor to work along side so many wonderful people. And to collect signatures from supporters who felt desperate to see change happen. While I learned more about our election process, the conversations with voters were enlightening, challenging and overall satisfying. I can think of no other activism I have participated in that will have the greatest effect on our democracy.