The Headlines
The MICRC is still seeking public feedback on the 10 sets of draft maps. The public comment period will run through Friday, February 23rd. This week saw the first of three all-day public meetings hosted by the commission to solicit input and reactions from residents of the redrawn districts.
Voters Not Politicians is continuing our digital outreach campaign, which has now reached over 500,000 Metro Detroit residents, to inform and engage residents in the redistricting process, and we have added additional capacity to our Public Comment Coaching sessions to help even more residents make their voices heard during the public comment period.
Additionally, Voters Not Politicians and Voters Ed Fund are looking ahead to future elections with our ongoing work to recruit nonpartisan poll challengers as well as poll workers, and to secure passage of the Michigan Voting Rights Act.
The Details
Redistricting
- The commission hosted a Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, February 15th. 51 people provided questions and/or comments to the commission including a VNP volunteer and affected resident who attended our first Public Comment Coaching session earlier this week.
- The commission is also hosting two in-person public hearings next week in Detroit.
- February 21st: Greater Grace Temple on 23500 W. Seven Mile Rd (10 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 5 PM, 6 PM – 8 PM)
- February 22nd: Second Ebenezer Church on 14601 Dequindre Rd (10 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 5 PM, 6 PM – 8 PM)
- Voters Not Politicians has scheduled additional Public Comment Coaching Sessions through next Tuesday to guide volunteers and Detroit-area voters on how to give comments on the maps.
- VNP is also continuing to reach out to Detroit area residents through our online platforms to make sure voters know they have the opportunity to give the commission feedback on the proposed maps. This week, we launched the third phase of our digital ad campaign, with a revamped grassroots toolkit with updated information and resources.
Nonpartisan Poll Challengers
- Voters Not Politicians Education Fund (Voters Ed Fund) is continuing to work in partnership with Promote the Vote and the Election Protection Program coalition to recruit and shift nonpartisan election Poll Challengers to serve as voter advocates during 2024 statewide elections.
- Voters Ed Fund is leveraging its network of grassroots volunteers across 26 municipalities in Michigan to ensure oversight of early voting locations, pretabulation locations, and election day polling places for Michigan’s election administrators and poll workers.
- We are also working with local clerks and our partner organizations to make sure clerks in our target communities are able to recruit election poll workers to administer the election.
Michigan Voting Rights Act
- The Michigan Voting Rights Act (MIVRA) is a package of bills introduced in the state Senate last year. The package includes Senate Bills 401, 402, 403, and 404.
- The MIVRA builds upon the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other pro-voter legislation passed in states across the country. If passed, the MIVRA will immediately become one of the most comprehensive state-level voting rights acts in the country.
- Voters Not Politicians is partnering with All Voting is Local and a coalition of pro-voter organizations to spread the word about MIVRA and the pro-voter changes it could bring to our state.
- VNP is also working to develop a grassroots toolkit that organizations can use to help inform the public of the benefits of passing the MIVRA.
Keep in Mind
- It is more important than ever to connect with Metro Detroit residents in affected districts so that they can make their voices heard during this public comment period. Transparency and public input are key pillars of Michigan’s independent redistricting process, and we cannot allow these strengths to be overlooked or ignored.
- Voters overwhelmingly supported an independent citizens redistricting commission because they believe that partisan fairness is critical for fair maps. The commission must continue to consider all measures of partisan fairness as they respond to public input and make final adjustments to the draft maps.
- The voter-approved constitutional amendment that created the citizens redistricting commission also specifies that the commission is the only body that can approve electoral maps for Michigan voters. Defaulting to a special master would be sending our democracy several steps backwards.
- Every eligible voter in Michigan has a constitutional right to vote. Nonpartisan poll challengers play an essential role in advocating for voters and keeping Michigan’s elections safe, free, and fair.
- Passing the Michigan Voting Rights Act will go further than any previous legislation to guarantee free and fair elections for every eligible voter in our state, and mark Michigan as a leader in safeguarding the right to vote.
What’s Next
Voters Not Politicians is determined to make sure Detroiters’ voices are heard and listened to during the redraw process. We are continuing our investment into digital outreach to connect Detroit residents to information and opportunities to give their feedback to the commission. You can support this work by donating to the redraw fund or by sharing the sign-up link: vnp.vote/detroit-redraw.
We have two more Public Comment Coaching sessions scheduled next week, just in time to participate in the MICRC’s in-person public hearings: Monday, Feb. 19 at 4:00 PM and Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6:00 PM. Both events are virtual and free to attend.
Voters Ed Fund’s Nonpartisan Poll Challenger project will continue recruiting voter advocates for the February Presidential Primary, as well as ramping up later this year to recruit even more volunteer advocates for the August Primary and November General Election, where we expect record turnout across Michigan. 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.
Voters Not Politicians, together with a coalition of voting rights advocates, is hosting an informational and organizing meeting on the Michigan Voting Rights Act on Thursday, February 29th at 3pm. At this meeting, participants will hear from voting rights advocates about key updates to the legislation, learn how you can advocate for the passage of the Michigan Voting Rights Act and hear about other opportunities to help protect democracy.
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