March 6, 2024 | Volume 6, No. 3
Hi Friend,
In an election year, we know that as Voters Not Politicians, it is our responsibility to take every opportunity we have to reach voters and remind them that, as the first line of our state constitution states, all political power is inherent in the people.
As Michigan wraps up its first statewide election this year, we’re reflecting on the success of early voting in the presidential primary, while making plans to help more voters take advantage of their increased voting options. At the same time, we’re focusing on reaching out to voters, activists, and community partners to help Michiganders take advantage of every opportunity they have to participate in their democracy.
In this month’s blog posts, you can learn more about how Voters Not Politicians has worked to inform and engage Detroit residents in the Michigan Independent Redistricting Commission’s redraw of several Metro Detroit state house districts. You can also read about our next installment of Democracy Academy, the workshop series from Voters Ed Fund that works to address voter engagement in state- and local-level elections.
This month’s People-Powered Spotlight will also introduce you to Mariah Bryant, our new Director of Democracy Engagement, who is working to grow VNP’s volunteer base, community reach, and overall impact.
I can already tell that Voters Not Politicians is in a unique position to make a big impact for Michigan voters, our democracy, and our country as a whole, this year, friend. And I’m certain with your continued support, we will get it done.
Sincerely,
Jamie Lyons-Eddy
Executive Director
Voters Not Politicians
In This Issue
- Democracy Academy Ready to Reach a New Audience
- What’s Next for Detroit Redistricting
- ICYMI – VNP is Making Headlines
- Running to Reach More Volunteers; Climbing Towards a Greater Impact
- 2024 Election Selection
- Upcoming Events
- How you can stay involved
Updates From the Field
Democracy Academy Ready to Reach a New Audience
Voters Not Politicians Education Fund’s voter education programs are in full swing preparing voters for the presidential elections and all of Michigan’s new voting options. However, just because it’s a presidential election year doesn’t mean that we’re abandoning our local- and state-level voter education.
What’s Next for Detroit Redistricting
After a federal court last December ruled several state house and state senate districts invalid under the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) has spent the last 2 months redrawing state House Districts 1, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 14.
Even with challenges like this, Michigan’s independent and 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.
And through this redraw, we have the opportunity to strengthen the process going forward.
ICYMI: VNP Making Headlines
- Voter Access Town Hall encourages informed voting in our community February 1, 2024 | Flint Courier News
- Here’s what to know about early in-person voting that starts Saturday February 16, 2024 | Michigan Public
- Redistricting’s Lingering Questions: A Special Master, Public Comment February 23, 2024 | Gongwer
- Does the presidential primary system reflect the will of the voters? February 26, 2024 | WDET
People-Powered
Running to Reach More Volunteers; Climbing Towards a Greater Impact
Voters Not Politicians, along with Voters Ed Fund, launched a number of new programs last year, and our volunteers had more options than ever before to help strengthen Michigan’s democracy. That’s why we brought on a new staff member who is more than capable of keeping up with all the moving pieces of this pro-democracy machine.
2024 Election Selections
A selection of important information, dates, and details for the 2024 election cycle.
- Presidential Primary Election
- Over 1.8 million voters participated in the Presidential Primary this year, including over 1 million voters who utilized absentee ballots and 78,000 voters who used new statewide early voting.
- Now the Board of County Canvassers will meet to begin the canvass and certification process. Afterwards, the Board of State Canvassers will meet to certify the results of the election.
Upcoming Events
- VNP Spill the Tea: Voters Not Politicians started 2024 with a BANG! We are gathering our supporters via Zoom on March 28, 2024 at 5:30 pm ET to talk about our next steps and answer any questions while giving an insider look at our 2024 strategy. This is a grassroots fundraising event. VNP is powered by the grassroots movement and we are looking for your support to make sure we implement the strongest programs.
- Democracy Academy 101: Your Community Your Government: Making the Case for Getting out the Vote in Local Elections – Wednesday, March 20th, 6pm-7pm, virtual. In this first workshop of the Democracy Academy virtual series, attendees will learn: how our current system encourages low turnout; the short- and long-term consequences of low voter participation; established voter engagement techniques to create positive change; how to help others make elections a priority to make local government work better.
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.