Newsletter: Supporting pro-democracy policies from passage to public education

Voters Not Politicians Newsletter

May 8, 2024 | Volume 6, No. 5

Hi Friend,

Last month, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission wasted no time in getting to work on the state senate redraw, and Voters Not Politicians is prepared to match their pace as we continue to support the mission of fair and transparent redistricting. 

But strengthening democracy is about more than just redistricting! That’s why Voters Not Politicians and Voters Ed Fund are also working to educate the public about the voting access improvements we helped establish through Proposal 22-2, and advocating for passage of the Michigan Voting Rights Act.

In this month’s newsletter, you will read about our fantastic volunteer presenters who are spreading the word about how Proposal 22-2 has made Michigan’s elections more safe, secure, and accessible than ever before, learn about the MI VRA and how this legislation could secure Michigan’s status as a leader in voter access, and hear from a VNP volunteer who exemplifies our long-term commitment to strengthening democracy and supporting voters. 

We know that to truly transform democracy in Michigan and make our government work better for voters, it takes continuous effort to get our pro-voter policies passed, implemented, and into public awareness. That’s why Voters Not Politicians and our army of volunteers remain committed to supporting all of the pro-democracy policies we’ve helped pass, through both ballot initiative and legislative action. 

Sincerely,
Jamie Lyons-Eddy
Executive Director
Voters Not Politicians

P.S. To get the latest on the redraw of Michigan Senate districts in the metro Detroit area, sign up for my weekly updates here.

In This Issue

  • Voters Ed Fund Presenters Ensuring Michiganders Can Vote with Confidence in 2024
  • MI VRA Next Step in Safeguarding Elections for Voters
  • ICYMI – VNP is Making Headlines
  • Long-time Volunteer Supports Pro-Democracy Policies from Passage to Public Education
  • Upcoming Events
  • How you can stay involved

Updates from the Field

Voters Ed Fund Presenters Ensuring Michiganders Can Vote with Confidence in 2024

In February 2024, Michigan voters participated in the most accessible statewide election in Michigan’s history, taking advantage of new options such as early voting and the permanent absentee ballot list. However, many Michiganders don’t yet know how much more secure, modern, and accessible our elections have become.

That is why the Voters Ed Fund has been training volunteers to inform their communities all over Michigan about their new voting rights.

A group of people seated in chairs around a room.

MI VRA Next Step in Safeguarding Elections for Voters

For the past several months, Voters Not Politicians has been working in coalition to support a legislative reform to secure Michigan’s place as a national leader in safeguarding the right to vote. 

The Michigan Voting Rights Act is the next step in strengthening Michigan’s democracy and removing voting barriers for voters with disabilities and voters of color.

Want more updates from Voters Not Politicians? Sign up for our Weekly Update email!

ICYMI: VNP Making Headlines

PEOPLE-POWERED

Long-time Volunteer Supports Pro-Democracy Policies from Passage to Public Education

Supporters of Voters Not Politicians know that our grassroots movement is active across the state: From Marquette to Monroe, as we like to say 😉. But many Michiganders might not realize that our commitment to serve all voters includes those who live in the farthest reaches of our great state. 

Valorie Troesch is a long-time VNP volunteer from the Keweenaw Peninsula who is continuing her commitment to strengthening democracy by educating her local community as a Prop 22-2 Voter Educator and building local grassroots power with Democracy Academy.

A woman stands next to a projector screen in front of a room, giving a presentation. The room is filled with around a dozen people watching her presentation.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Proposal 22-2 Letters to the Editor Workshop, Wednesday, May 15, 7pm-8pm, Grosse Pointe Public Library – Central Branch. This session will focus on raising awareness of Michigan’s new voting laws thanks to Proposal 2022-2 and how they’ve made voting in Michigan more secure, modern, and accessible. We will provide participants with a guide to write and submit letters to their local newspaper, a list of local Michigan outlets that accept LTEs, and a sample letter on the topic, and then all attendees will have time to work on their own letters in a collaborative setting.
  • Proposal 22-2 Presenters Training Thursday, May 16, 6pm-7pm, Zoom. Become a Voter Educator and learn how to educate Michigan communities about their new voting rights thanks to Proposal 22-2. During this training session, we will be going over the official Voters Ed Fund Prop 22-2 educational materials and what this new amendment means for voters all over the state.
  • Democracy Academy: Citizen Lobbying Your Local Government Wednesday, May 22, 6pm–7pm, Zoom. In our third Democracy Academy workshop, you will learn: – How lobbying can be used as a force for local change – The importance of fostering relationships with your local elected officials – How to use your community expertise to influence local policy to help your community.

TAKE ACTION

How you can stay involved, and help make structural democracy reforms

  • Sign up here to be part of the Dial for Democracy (DFD) legislative advocacy team, and make sure you have opted in to receiving emails from VNP.
  • Join our volunteer ranks. You can be part of the volunteer army that makes Voters Not Politicians a pro-democracy powerhouse!
  • Make a donation to keep our pro-democracy movement going. Monthly recurring donations are especially important to keep VNP strong and help us plan for the future. 
  • Show off your Voters Not Politicians Volunteer pride with official VNP merch!
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