The Headlines
Primary Election Day 2024 is just a few days away, so I wanted to share a few concerns that are on my mind, as well as an election success from Voters Ed Fund.
First, an unprecedented number of elected local clerk positions have no one running to fill them this year. Local clerks are the backbone of our voting process and carry the lion’s share of work in administering our decentralized elections, so having passionate, qualified, public servants who are committed to democracy in these positions is critical for voters. State-level policy and equitable funding is also necessary to make sure clerks are supported in their work.
And while Election Day might still be a few days away, voting is already well underway! Many Michiganders are utilizing their constitutional right to vote early or cast absentee ballots. I’m proud to say MichiganEarlyVote.com is one of the tools available to help these voters make their voices heard.
The Details
- Shortage of local clerk candidates in Michigan raising concerns about election integrity (WDET July 30, 2024)
In a recent Created Equal broadcast, host Stephen Henderson was joined by Secretary of State Benson, Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck, and reporter Jon King to discuss Jon’s recent article about the state’s local clerk candidate shortage.
One thing everyone agreed on: the expansion of ballot access for voters is a good thing for Michiganders. Having more options will bring more Michigan residents into the democratic process, and that is a positive change that strengthens our democracy.
We also acknowledge that these changes place additional pressure on local clerks. Through our conversations with local clerks, we know there are several rural clerks who administer elections out of their homes, as well as those who, while excited to have new opportunities for voters, are worried about how they can implement them on their strained budgets.
Voters Not Politicians has campaigned strongly for increased state funding and support for election infrastructure, including clerk pay. While Michigan elections are more well-funded now than ever before in our state’s history, historic underinvestment in elections can’t be solved overnight. We must continue advocating for state funding that meets all election needs so that every clerk, election worker, and voter in Michigan is properly supported.
- Michigan Voters Embrace Early Voting: Over 709,000 Ballots Cast Ahead of Primary Election (Michigan Chronicle July 31, 2024)
In just the first two days of the mandated early voting period for the August 6 primary, over 10,000 voters cast their ballots using early voting. They join 698,673 voters who have already returned their absentee ballots.
We’re excited to see how many Michiganders are taking advantage of their new options for voting! I’m also proud to say that MichiganEarlyVote.com is one of the tools available to voters to help them find their nearest early voting location or ballot drop box. Voters Ed Fund staff, interns, and volunteers spent hundreds of hours calling every clerk in Michigan’s 1,240 townships and 280 cities to verify the information on MichiganEarlyVote.com, so voters can trust that the information is accurate.
As more voters are made aware of early voting options, we expect to see increased participation in early voting, so it’s helpful that we are able to launch this tool now during the August primary to make sure it’s fully functional and prepared for use during the November general election.
What’s Next
We’re paying close attention to Tuesday’s primary, and have volunteers mobilized as nonpartisan poll challengers through the rest of early voting. Then it’s full speed ahead to November, when we expect to see record numbers of voters take advantage of absentee, early voting, and Election Day voting.
Voters Not Politicians will be working in the coming weeks and months to make sure clerks and voters have the support they need to make this a smooth and successful election.
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