The following can be attributed to Nancy Wang, Executive Director of Voters Not Politicians, the nonpartisan, grassroots organization that ended partisan gerrymandering in Michigan, on the vote by the Board of State Canvassers today to certify Michigan’s election results with three yes votes and and one abstention:
Our democracy was put to the test this year, and Michigan voters rose to the challenge. We are pleased that the Board of State Canvassers followed the law, upheld the will of the people, and the majority voted to certify the results of the election, which was by every measure the most successful election in our state’s history.
Voters Not Politicians volunteers played a pivotal role in this election, working with local clerks for over a year to expand voting access, which became imperative amid the global pandemic. We worked day in and day out to educate voters on the safe, secure, and convenient options available to them to cast their ballots, and the historic turnout definitively showed that when our democracy is more accessible, our elections more accurately reflect the will of the people.
We look forward to continuing to improve our democracy through direct civic engagement, particularly as the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission begins its monumental task to ensure that our voting districts truly represent voters across the state.
Over 650 Voters Not Politicians volunteers worked with local clerks across the state through the VoteSafe campaign to secure additional registration and voting hours, as well as satellite locations and secure drop boxes. The organization also worked with partners to launch www.MichiganDropBox.com to help voters locate secure drop box locations in their voting jurisdiction. VNP’s Nights & Weekends program secured wins in 17 municipalities including Pontiac, Kalamazoo, Sterling Heights, and more, serving over 800,000 registered voters across the state.
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Contact: Elizabeth Battiste
[email protected], 248-404-7846
Voters Not Politicians is a nonpartisan advocacy organization that works to strengthen democracy by engaging people across Michigan in effective citizen action. Learn more at www.votersnotpoliticians.com.