Karen Obits, a long-time VNP volunteer, recently shared her experience working on one of Voters Not Politicians’ most critical campaigns right now: the “Decline to Sign” campaign to protect voting rights and stop anti-voter petitions from making it onto the 2026 ballot.
Her impactful conversation with Melinda, VNP’s Communications Manager, highlights the power of human connection in advocacy.
Karen shared her experience engaging with a circulator for one of the voter suppression petitions. The approach she used was particularly striking: she didn’t confront the circulator with facts and figures, but rather with kindness, respect, and her personal story. She explained how these petitions, disguised as “strengthening voter ID laws,” would actually make it harder for eligible Michigan citizens to vote – including herself and her neighbor, despite their differing political views.
It was clear that the circulator, likely a paid individual, initially had a very narrow understanding of the petition’s impact. He had been told a specific tactic to get signatures, focusing on a “stronger voter ID” narrative. However, through Karen’s patient and heartfelt explanation, drawing on her experience as an election worker, she was able to paint a much larger picture. She emphasized the existing strong voter ID laws in Michigan and how the proposed initiatives would disenfranchise voters and even put election inspectors at risk.
What was truly remarkable to hear about was the shift in the circulator’s perspective. He admitted that other people had raised similar concerns, and that he was having a hard time getting signatures because “people seem to have been warned about this petition.” He even shared that a lawyer had expressed serious concerns about the damaging effects of the initiative. This confirmed that the “Decline to Sign” campaign is indeed bearing fruit, and creating a ripple effect of awareness across the state.
Karen’s approach, speaking from her own lived experience and finding common ground, resonated deeply. She wasn’t an election attorney or a leader of activists, just a passionate citizen sharing her truth. This human encounter, starting from a place of shared values and experiences, seemed to make a genuine difference. It’s entirely possible that Karen’s conversation even led to one less Americans for Citizens Voting circulator out in the field.
Karen’s experience also underscores the vital importance of our collective work at Voters Not Politicians. It’s not just the work of staff, but also the tireless efforts of hundreds of volunteers like Karen, and VNP partner organizations across the state, who are raising awareness and protecting the rights of every Michigander. Karen’s journey with VNP, which started with the Promote the Vote initiative in 2022, exemplifies the power of community in driving change. As she beautifully put it, “no one person can do this in isolation. It absolutely has to be done in community.”
We are all incredibly grateful for Karen’s dedication, and for all our volunteers who are out in the field, having these crucial conversations. Every action we take to stop these petitions from moving forward is an action to protect voting rights for ourselves, our neighbors, and every eligible citizen in Michigan. It’s a testament to the power of human connection and shared commitment to democracy.
Hear Karen’s upcoming full interview by subscribing to Voters Not Politicians’ Substack!