February 7, 2024 | Volume 6, No. 2
Hi friend,
February is finally upon us! We had quite an exciting and jam-packed January at Voters Not Politicians, and I’m looking forward to sharing some of the highlights in this newsletter.
On the redistricting front, the MICRC has just begun the public comment period on their proposed maps for the court-ordered redraw of certain Detroit-area state house districts. Voters Not Politicians recently launched the second phase of our digital ad campaign to make sure Detroiters and Metro Detroiters are accurately informed and effectively engaged in the redraw process. You can support this work by donating to the redraw fund or by sharing the sign-up link: vnp.vote/detroit-redraw.
Voters Not Politicians staff and volunteers are also putting in long hours to monitor the commission’s work and keep everyone informed and engaged with the process, down to the details. Keep up to date with the latest redistricting news from VNP by subscribing to our weekly update emails. You can also view past weekly updates here.
I also want to remind and reassure you that even with a few bumps in the road, Michigan’s fair, transparent redistricting system is still worlds better than what we used to have, and what most states have: maps drawn in secret, by and for politicians.
VNP’s other pro-democracy work also continues, including our preparations for this year’s statewide elections and the upcoming legislative session. Voters Not Politicians Education Fund (Voters Ed Fund) is bringing up-to-date voting information directly to voters in historically marginalized communities through the Voter Access Town Hall series. On the legislative side, VNP is preparing to finally bring our long-term government transparency goals to fruition by expanding and enhancing Michigan’s lackluster Freedom of Information Act! Read more about these two promising projects in the blog posts below.
Jamie Lyons-Eddy
Executive Director
Voters Not Politicians
In This Issue
- Voter Access Town Halls Meet Voters Where They Are
- It’s Time to Finally Expand Our Freedom of Information Act
- ICYMI – VNP is Making Headlines
- Tasked with Building Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into Every Part of Our Organization
- 2024 Election Selection
- How you can stay involved
Updates from the Field
Voter Access Town Halls Meet Voters Where They Are
Given all the changes taking place in Michigan’s election administration system and the anticipation around the 2024 election cycle, it’s more important than ever that voters have access to accurate and up-to-date information about how to vote.
It’s Time to Finally Expand Our Freedom of Information Act
When Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was enacted in 1977, it contained huge loopholes which have prevented full access to government records. The legislative branch as well as the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor are exempted from FOIA requirements that apply to state agencies.
ICYMI: VNP Making Headlines
- Here’s how new members are appointed to the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission MLive | January 2, 2024
- Lyons-Eddy: Redistricting commission can overcome challenges Detroit News | January 18, 2024
- Opinion | Michigan’s redistricting group must keep putting fairness first Bridge | January 19, 2024
- Voters Not Politicians to host Voter Access Town Hall with local Flint leaders Flint Courier News | January 23, 2024
PEOPLE-POWERED
Tasked with Building Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into Every Part of Our Organization
“A strong democracy requires that all voices – all people – have the opportunity to make their voices heard, no matter their identity or background. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just a part of what we do at Voters Not Politicians, it’s the heart of our mission.”
In 2021, Voters Not Politicians established a staff DEI Task Force to help us better meet our commitment to creating a space for activism that is welcoming and accessible to all in our movement to build a better democracy in Michigan.
Hear about the work our DEI Task Force is doing from the members themselves.
2024 ELECTION SELECTIONS
A selection of important information, dates, and details for the 2024 election cycle.
- Presidential Primary Election – February 27th, 2024
- Eligible Michigan voters can now apply for an absentee ballot for the February 27th Presidential Primary Election now either online (with a Michigan driver’s license or state ID) here or using a print application, available here.
- Michigan law requires that for every Presidential Primary Election, Michigan voters must select either a Republican, Democratic, or Independent (if available) ballot. Voters who joined the permanent mail ballot list in 2023 will receive a ballot style selection form in the mail from their local clerk. Permanent mail ballot voters must complete this ballot selection form in order to receive an absentee ballot for the Presidential Primary Election!
- Early voting for the Presidential Primary must begin no later than February 17 and continue through Feb 25. Voters can now go to mi.gov/vote and click on “Your voter information” to see where and when they can vote early in this election.
- Nonpartisan Poll Challengers
- Voters Ed Fund has launched a large-scale recruitment and training project to recruit and shift nonpartisan election Poll Challengers in partnership with Promote the Vote/the Election Protection Program for the 2024 statewide elections.
- Nonpartisan poll challengers act as voter advocates at early vote centers and polling locations and make sure voters are not intentionally or unintentionally disenfranchised.
- If you’re interested in learning more about volunteering as a nonpartisan poll challenger, you can sign up for more information or support our recruiting efforts.
- Every Michigan voter can opt in to the permanent mail ballot list right now.
- When applying for an absentee ballot for an upcoming election, voters will have the option to request a ballot for all elections in their community this year (Presidential Primary, May, August, and November), and to join the permanent mail ballot list, which will allow the voter to receive a ballot for every future election in their community – not just the 2024 elections.
TAKE ACTION
How you can stay involved, and help make structural democracy reforms
- Show off your Voters Not Politicians Volunteer pride with official VNP merch!
- 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.
- Join our volunteer ranks. You can be part of the volunteer army that makes Voters Not Politicians a pro-democracy powerhouse!
- 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.
