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Seven Things You Can Do to Protect Democracy and Get Out the Vote

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PROTECTING DEMOCRACY STARTS WITH KNOWING MICHIGAN’S NEW VOTING RIGHTS

Protecting Democracy Starts With Knowing Michigan’s New Voting Rights

  • Legislation was passed to codify the passage of Proposal 2 in 2022 (“Promote the Vote”)
  • Bills are “pro-voter” providing better voter access and convenience
  • Improves election security
  • Protects election workers from intimidation and harassment
  • Be the ‘expert’ when friends and family discuss these new rights.

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23 “pro voter” bills passed between July 1 and

November 7, 2023

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EARLY VOTING

9 days of Early Voting in all Federal and Statewide elections

Must begin second Saturday before election and end on the Sunday before. Days must be consecutive, and 8 hours per day

Cities/Townships can join together and have all EV done in one location or can go it alone

Voters can put ballot in tabulator when they vote early

Security is strict at EV locations re: accessibility, storing ballots and video surveillance.

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PERMANENT ABSENTEE BALLOT LIST

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  • No longer necessary to fill out an application each time
  • Designed for voters who always get their ballots at the same location
  • Clerks confirm identity via signature verification program

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  • Stay on list until/unless you:
    1. Move outside of Michigan
    2. Submit written notice to remove your name from the list
    3. Are no longer eligible to vote (i.e. in prison)
    4. Move within Michigan but don’t update your voting address
    5. Don’t vote for 6 consecutive years

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ABSENTEE VOTING IMPROVEMENTS

  • Postage now paid by the government
  • Ballot tracking system will be available for all voters through mi.gov/vote
  • More drop boxes (but only use the one for your community)
    1. Must be accessible and convenient
    2. Must have camera access 24/7 forty days before election and up until 8:00pm on election day
    3. Drop boxes are secure – design authorized by state

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Work at the Polls!

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  • Be a Poll Worker: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/pollworker
    • Best way to learn about elections
    • You get paid!
  • Be a Poll Watcher
    • Observe and report
    • Sign up with a party or organization
  • Be a Poll Challenger
    • Training required
    • Sign up with a party or organization
    • Choose group wisely

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Hop in!

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People can now legally take other voters to the polls in Michigan.

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  • 1891 law made it a misdemeanor to provide transportation to the polls.

  • Ban was repealed in 2023 via HB 4568.

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  • Partner with a political party or church group.

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  • Or offer to take a neighbor.

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Share good information

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On Social Media –

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  • Join pro-democracy groups and share messages and graphics
    • League of Women Voters of Michigan (or local chapter)
    • ACLU of Michigan
    • Michigan Secretary of State’s Office
    • Promote the Vote MI
    • APIA Vote
    • NAACP Michigan

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  • SHARE the good information to your networks

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  • NEVER engage with those sharing bad information

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Write a letter!

  • Local papers with local references are best

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  • Make sure your facts are correct

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  • Reference non-partisan sources of good information:
    • MichiganVoting.org
    • LWVMI.org
    • ACLUmich.org
    • Michigan.gov/sos/elections

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Be able to defend security

  • Michigan has passed laws that make our elections some of the most secure in the country.
  • Polling sites are NOT connected to the internet.
  • Michigan has both a computerized counting system and a paper ballot system that must match.
  • Voters must sign an “application” at the polls or when requesting absentee ballot. Felony charges can be brought to those who falsify.
  • Every county has a bi-partisan canvassing board which has a clear duty to certify elections based on the official records of votes cast.

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Vote

  • No act is more democratic than voting
  • Embrace the privilege in the USA of participating in your local, county and state governments.
  • Convince friends and family to vote. Mention issues that will affect them.
  • Get educated about your ballot. Visit the League’s online, non-partisan voter guide for information about local, county state and national candidates and proposals: VOTE411.
  • Local elections matter!
  • Primary elections matter!
  • Greater voting participation makes a stronger democracy!

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  1. Know Voting Rights
  2. Work at the Polls
  3. Help Voters Get To the Polls
  4. Share Good Info on Social Media
  5. Letters to the Editor
  6. Security – Be Able to Defend It
  7. Vote

Summary

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For more information:

LWVMI.org