By Mary Brown and Laura DeLind | April 4, 2022 Democracy requires dedication, and diversity. But just as important – or maybe even more important – it requires TEAM WORK. Here in Mid-Michigan, we have a wonderful team of VNP volunteers who bring together their individual strengths, weaving them into a dynamic, powerful, and effective whole. […]
Read More >By Nancy Wang As the drafters of the constitutional amendment that created the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and the primary supporters of the ballot initiative that approved it, VNP has a distinctly strong interest in ensuring that the Commission functions as intended and that efforts to undermine its authority or undo the purpose of […]
Read More >By Kim Murphy-Kovalick In order to get the Promote the Vote 2022 constitutional amendment on the November 2022 ballot, the coalition has to submit 425,059 valid signatures by July 11. VNP volunteers are enthusiastically answering the call to action! We are excited to work alongside coalition partners including the League of Women Voters of Michigan, […]
Read More >by Charlie Beall On December 28th 2022, the inaugural Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission approved final maps, making history. Our 2022 Evaluation Project seeks to build a fact-based analysis of how Proposal 18-2 was implemented in the State of Michigan following its passage by 61% of voters in 2018. Following the completion of an exhaustive […]
Read More >Volunteer Spotlight: Rochelle Rubin You will need a good pair of shoes if you are going to keep up with VNP volunteer Rochelle Rubin. As a VNP Field Coordinator, hiker, tennis player, voracious reader, and educator, Rochelle is constantly on her toes. When Rochelle finds time to sit down, she often finds herself COL (Cat […]
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February 9, 2022 With our new Promote the Vote 2022 ballot initiative campaign underway, it’s fun to look back on, and take inspiration from, what made our Prop 2 campaign in 2018 so successful. Most VNP volunteers will recognize Betsy Robbins who gained notoriety on the 2018 campaign trail for her fun and entertaining songs […]
Read More >February 9, 2022 The MICRC adopted their final maps on December 28, but the redistricting process isn’t over. Several groups have brought lawsuits (as expected), and those will be resolved in the coming weeks or months. More information on the lawsuits is below. Meanwhile, under the Constitution, the MICRC must issue a report by February […]
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February 9, 2022 On January 31, the groups that brought landscape-changing democracy reforms to Michigan in 2018 announced a new collaboration: Promote the Vote 2022. Voters Not Politicians, in partnership with Promote the Vote, ACLU of Michigan, the League of Women Voters of Michigan, APIA-Vote and Detroit Action, announced a new constitutional amendment ballot initiative. […]
Read More >January 6, 2022 Jessica Swartz has a pretty extensive resume both inside and outside of VNP. She is the Deputy General Counsel at Western Michigan University and a Girl Scout Troop Leader. Jessica has worn a number of hats within VNP including Prop 2 petition circulator and co-team lead, and Nights & Weekends team leader. […]
Read More >January 6, 2022 Paul Marquardt’s artwork is an experience. This Kalamazoo native creates pieces that you can not only see, but touch and hear. While each piece presents a unique experience, they all share one key thing in common: societal change for the better. Whether it is a chair that literally speaks to you or […]
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