LANSING – Voters Not Politicians hosted a media roundtable with local clerks and volunteers today to encourage voters to take advantage of the many options available to them to vote safely this weekend. Executive Director Nancy Wang was joined by Pontiac City Clerk Garland Doyle and Kalamazoo volunteer Jessica Swartz.
“This weekend, we encourage voters to drop off their absentee ballot or vote in person at their clerk’s office or a satellite voting location as soon as possible to make sure their vote is counted,” said Nancy Wang, Executive Director of Voters Not Politicians. “Thanks to the work of hundreds of volunteers across the state, over 800,000 registered voters in Michigan have access to expanded voting and registration hours at their local clerk’s office, secure absentee ballot drop boxes that can be found at MichiganDropbox.com, and satellite voting locations.”
Voters Not Politicians’ Nights & Weekends program, started in the fall of 2019, has secured expanded voting access in 17 municipalities including Ann Arbor, Berkley, Buena Vista Township, Dearborn, East Lansing, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Livonia, Muskegon Heights, Novi, Pontiac, Royal Oak, Saginaw, Sterling Heights, and Ypsilanti.
These municipalities serve over 800,000 registered voters, who now have expanded access to the polls. More than 350 Voters Not Politicians volunteers partnered with organizations including the ACLU of Michigan, NAACP, Michigan League of Conservation Voters and more to secure these wins. Voters Not Politicians also partnered with All Voting is Local to launch www.MichiganDropBox.com to help voters locate secure absentee ballot drop boxes in their city or township.
“We’re proud that Pontiac was one of the first municipalities that worked together with Voters Not Politicians to expand our voting hours, especially during the evening and over the weekend, so citizens can have their voices heard,” said Pontiac City Clerk Garland Doyle. “The response so far has been tremendous, and we’re anticipating record-setting turnout in the city. If voters still have their absentee ballots, we encourage them to drop them off in-person at their local clerk’s office, satellite location or a secure drop box as soon as possible. If you’re heading to the polls, remember to mask up and socially distance to keep yourself and others healthy.”
Those voting by absentee ballot are encouraged to return their ballot as soon as possible in person at their clerk’s office or a secure drop box in their voting jurisdiction. Secure drop boxes can be found at www.MichiganDropBox.com. Ballots must be received by the clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on November 3 to be counted.
The full event can be viewed here. Please feel free to use in your broadcast or publication.
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Voters Not Politicians is a nonpartisan advocacy organization that works to strengthen democracy by engaging people across Michigan in effective citizen action. Learn more at www.votersnotpoliticians.com.
