Newsletter: We’ve won our first big fight of 2024!

April 10, 2024 | Volume 6, No. 4

Hi Friend,

If, like me, you spent most of March wading through the various legal filings in the Agee v Benson federal case, then you already know the good news: the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission successfully adopted revised Michigan state house maps to meet the requirements of the federal court! You can read more details of how we got to this point in this month’s blog post below.

We at Voters Not Politicians have always had faith in the constitutional amendment we designed and most importantly, in the voters who support independent redistricting. With this decision, the court has reaffirmed that faith and upheld the will of millions of Michigan voters who demanded an independent, transparent, citizen-led redistricting process when they voted for Proposal 2 in 2018.

But we know that our fight to protect independent redistricting and strengthen Michigan’s democracy isn’t over yet. That’s why we’re already preparing for how we’ll support voters and the redistricting process during the upcoming senate district redraw, and working to recruit even more volunteers into our pro-democracy movement.

Through Democracy Academy, Voters Ed Fund is working to educate voters and boost civic engagement by helping everyday citizens become pro-democracy activists in their own communities. And behind the scenes, Voters Not Politicians is working with new volunteers to grow the future ranks of pro-democracy activists in Michigan.

With your continued support, friend, Voters Not Politicians will keep working to build a strong democracy that will serve the voters of Michigan for decades to come.

Sincerely,
Jamie Lyons-Eddy
Executive Director
Voters Not Politicians

In This Issue

Democracy Academy Off to a Great Start in 2024
Redistricting Update: Where we are with House and Senate redraw
ICYMI – VNP is Making Headlines
New Volunteer Makes Big Impact Behind-the-Scenes
Upcoming Events
2024 Election Selections
How you can stay involved

Updates from the Field

Democracy Academy Off to a Great Start in 2024

While many eyes are focused on the 2024 Presidential election cycle, Voters Ed Fund recognizes that in order for our democracy to be truly representative, communities across Michigan need to participate in every election, at every level.

That is why the Voters Ed Fund launched the Democracy Academy workshop series – to ensure that voters can develop civic engagement skills that they can use beyond 2024.

Redistricting Update: Where we are with House and Senate redraw

Last month, we updated you on the latest developments in the court-ordered redraw of Detroit-area Michigan House districts. Since then, the court approved the maps submitted by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, and both Voters Not Politicians and the MICRC have begun preparing for the state senate redraw.

Here’s where we are now.

ICYMI: VNP Making Headlines

Detroit-Area Dems In Redrawn Districts Are Ready To Roll Despite Changes March 1, 2024 | Gongwer
People convicted of election-related crimes could be barred from serving on boards certifying votes March 12, 2024 | Michigan Advance
Democracy Academy teaches residents how to boost local political participation March 19, 2024 | Flint Courier News
Redistricting House Map Meets Court Muster, Plaintiffs Appear Satisfied March 27, 2024 | Gongwer
Court approves new Michigan House district map March 28, 2024 | Michigan Advance
Federal court OKs MICRC remedial map March 28, 2024 | Michigan Public

PEOPLE-POWERED

New Volunteer Makes Big Impact Behind-the-Scenes

Voters Not Politicians is known for our army of dedicated volunteers, often seen out and about with clipboards and literature in hand. But volunteers play a big role behind the scenes as well.

Jeffrey Hoang, a student at Eastern Michigan University, volunteered to assist our Communications team this spring, and made his impact on VNP in just a few short weeks, all from behind his computer screen!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Michigan Voting Rights Act Letters to the Editor Workshop: Join Voters Not Politicians to discuss the Michigan VRA and to learn how to write a Letter-to-the-Editor for your local newspaper or media outlet. Tuesday, April 16, 6 – 7pm EDT
Democracy Academy: Prop 22-2-How These New Laws Affect Michigan Voters: Join Voters Ed Fund for the second installment of Democracy Academy 2024. In this workshop you will learn: how Michigan voters like you rallied to expand voting rights; what voting will look like in 2024 and beyond; and what areas of voter education are needed now so your community is empowered to vote. Tuesday, April 16, 6 – 7pm EDT
Michigan Redistricting Town Hall: Join Voters Not Politicians and members of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to discuss Michigan’s unique redistricting process and the upcoming state senate map redraw. Wednesday, April 17, 6 – 7:30pm EDT
Proposal 22-2 Letters to the Editor Workshop: Join Voters Ed Fund to discuss Proposal 22-2 and learn how to write a Letter-to-the-Editor for your local newspaper or media outlet.Wednesday, May 15, 7 – 8pm EDT | Grosse Pointe Public Library – Central Branch

2024 ELECTION SELECTIONS

A selection of important information, dates, and details for the 2024 election cycle

Pre-registration is now available for 16- and 17-year-olds.
- Michiganders who are between 16 and 17.5 years old, and who otherwise meet the requirements for registering to vote, can pre-register:
  - Online (with a Michigan driver’s license or Michigan state ID).
  - In person at their city or township clerk’s office.
  - By mailing this form to their city or township clerk.
- Once they turn 17.5, their pre-registration will automatically turn into a regular registration, and they will be eligible to vote in the next election that occurs on or after they turn 18!
Special Elections in House Districts 13 and 25 – April 16th, 2024
- Now through Election Day, voters who still need to register to vote must do so in person at their city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency.
- Voters who still need to return their absentee ballots should drop off their ballots (signed and dated!) at their city or township clerk’s office or in a secure drop box provided by your clerk.
- Polls will be open on Tuesday, April 16th from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM local time. Voters can find their polling location and precinct number here.
May 7 Local Elections
- To see if your community is having an election on May 7, go to mi.gov/vote and click on your voter information.
- As of March 28th, absentee ballots must be available to voters in communities with May 7th elections. Voters can request a ballot, fill it out, and return it in-person or by mail at their city or township clerk’s office.
- April 22nd is the last day to register to vote online or by mail. Starting April 23, voters who need to register for the May 7 local election will need to register in person at their city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency.
- April 23rd is the last day we recommend dropping an absentee ballot in the mail. Starting April 24 we recommend dropping your ballot off at your city or township clerk’s office or in a secure drop box provided by your clerk.

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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