ELECT

Voting with Pride and Confidence

We often hear people say voting is easy as 1,2,3 and it truly is! Did you know in 2018 Michigan constituents voted to adopt no-reason absentee voting, which now provides registered voters a number of options in how they can, safely and effectively, cast their ballot this election cycle?

In our latest staff blog, Michele of Michigan’s Children wrote his take on not only the importance of voting this election cycle, but the great strides Michigan has taken to ensure every vote is counted and voices are heard.

Read Michele’s entire take here via our Michigan’s Children staff blog.

As public policy advocates, we know the very real impacts constituents have in moving elected officials to truly represent the people they serve; but before your direct advocacy serves its purpose, we all must vote!

Now, more than ever, having the facts, knowledge and plan to vote is power – to elect the change and representation we both deserve and wish to see for all of our children, families and communities.
In fact, voting by mail is one of the most effective ways to cast your vote in Michigan this year.
Don’t believe us? Just watch here.

Voting and requesting your ballot to vote via mail or absentee

In 2018, Michigan residents voted to adopt new rules and protocols for absentee voting. Additionally, earlier this year, Michigan Secretary of State announced registered voters can now apply for an absentee ballot via their website, in which the ballot will be mailed to the voters home. Completed ballots can be submitted via mail or in-person at your local clerk’s office. Online absentee ballot request forms and other relevant information can be found here.

Electing local officials who make impacts at home (prosecutor, judge, sheriff, school boards and university trustees, etc.)

This year, a wide range of races and local ballot initiatives are present in many areas of our state. While we’ve mainly focused our electoral advocacy efforts on races in the Michigan Legislature, these same tools and approaches provided in the toolkit are applicable to individuals running for office up and down the ballot. Unsure of who’s running in your area and how your ballot might look? Take a look at this interactive resource here, that can provide some insight into who’s running. Issue points such as juvenile and criminal justice, local funding of education programs and other key local issues ressonante with these “down ballot” candidates and we encourage you to engage with them on issues that can make a difference directly in your service areas.

Now more than ever, having the correct voting information is power. We encourage you to check out this comprehensive resource from the League of Women Voters Education Fund, which empowers all of us by being equipped with the proper information to vote this election cycle. The site features interactive tools on the entire voting process, no matter where you live.