As the leading pro-democracy, grassroots group in Michigan, Voters Not Politicians has achieved amazing results through direct democracy – taking issues directly to the ballot and letting voters decide. But as we’ve evolved as an organization, we’ve recognized that lawmakers in Lansing are also looking to us for leadership on pro-democracy issues. We want to make sure we stay involved at every level of the policymaking process, representing the voices of voters.
Enter Ricky Servantez Bicknell, the new Government Affairs Manager for Voters Not Politicians!
Ricky is a lifelong Michigander who grew up in Battle Creek and earned a B.A. in Women’s Studies and Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan. His first interaction with Voters Not Politicians came in the early days of our Prop 18-2 campaign to end gerrymandering.
My earliest memory of VNP is interacting with a volunteer signature-gatherer during the 2018 ballot initiative campaign. Five years later, our volunteer corps remains strong, passionate, and dedicated thanks in large part to VNP’s graceful stewardship of volunteer programs.
Ricky’s early introduction to the passion of Voters Not Politicians is part of what drew him to the role of Government Affairs Manager.
I’m looking forward to absorbing and learning from VNP’s dedicated staff and volunteers, many of whom have been with the organization since day 1. As a new staffer, I look up to those who have built this organization into the movement powerhouse it is today, and I feel a special sense of duty to carry on the spirit of those who built VNP.
He was also drawn to Voters Not Politicians’ focus on Michigan and on non-partisan, pro-democracy reforms. As our Government Affairs Manager, Ricky will be a regular VNP presence in Lansing, liaising with state legislators and advocating for our legislative priorities at the Capitol. Through this work, he will help build on the pro-democracy movement Voters Not Politicians volunteers have already begun, which is his favorite part of working for VNP.
Positively affecting Michigan’s democratic systems, strengthening the safeguards against anti-democratic forces, and expanding safe, secure access to voting for all eligible Michiganders are all some of my favorite parts of working with VNP.
Ricky’s role with Voters Not Politicians centers on him becoming a familiar face in Lansing as well as with volunteers. So if you see him around, either in Lansing, near his home in Ferndale, or in his backyard tending to a small flock of colorful-egg-laying hens, make sure to say hi to one of the newest members of our pro-democracy movement!
