Benton Harbor accepts elections grants

Two grants to improve elections have been awarded to the city of Benton Harbor.

City commissioners this week voted to accept $10,000 from the More Responsive Government 2024 Grant Program to purchase two new tabulators for absentee ballots.

City Clerk Tiffany Moore told them about the other grant.

“$7,000 from the Voters Not Politicians Education Fund, and that is used for communication and public relations strictly related to the November 2024 election,” Moore said. “So, you’ll be seeing signs throughout the city directing you on where to go to vote, how to register to vote, how to obtain an absentee ballot. There’ll be information about early voting on there. We’ll partner with Voters Not Politicians for some direct mailers, possibly some events, and maybe even a billboard.”

Moore said the new tabulators will be especially helpful as the city is expecting around 1,000 absentee ballots to be cast in the November 5 election. It’s mailed out 878 so far and has already received 92 back.

Moore tells residents who haven’t received an absentee ballot but want one to contact the city clerk’s office.

This story was originally published by WSJM. Read more here: https://www.wsjm.com/2024/10/08/benton-harbor-accepts-elections-grants/

Using citizen lobbying as a force for change

“Citizen Lobbying: Advocating to Your Local Government” was recently presented virtually by the Democracy Academy, as a project of the Voters Not Politicians Education Fund (Voters Ed Fund).

Voters Not Politicians is a voter-led prodemocracy political reform movement in Michigan.

“Learning how lobbying can be used is a force for change at the local level,” said Alyson Grigsby, education programs manager For Voters Not Politicians.

Grigsby added the presentation was being held to help citizens understand their power as citizens and advocates to their local government. She pointed out the right to lobby is protected by the First Amendment and a way to petition the government for a redress or to give money.

According to Grigsby, citizen lobbying can look like contacting not only elected officials, but city managers and department heads.

“This could involve calling, sending emails, writing letters, attending meetings or inviting officials to your coffee hour or group meeting. It could involve lobbying your officials via public comment. You might also consider writing a letter to the editor of a local publication to gather public support and help find allies. This also brings attention to officials.”

Participants in the virtual event were invited to look at real-life case studies of citizens using their power to lobby their government. The case studies helped show the variety of issues and interests citizens can lobby for.

“Even if your goals are unsuccessful initially-and I want to put out initially-for getting something passed, you get that internal satisfaction of being connected to the community in general on something you’re passionate about,” said Grigsby.”…Sometimes there will be roadblocks to trying to get something adopted related to funding or understanding how it should be particularly implemented. I don’t want you to take this as a loss….It’s OK because it shows the people and you that this is something people can do by engaging directly with the democratic process.”

This story was originally published by Flint Courier News. Read more here: https://theflintcouriernews.com/using-citizen-lobbying-as-a-force-for-change/

Democracy Academy teaches residents how to boost local political participation

Voters Not Politicians Education Fund (Voters Ed Fund) is relaunching Democracy Academy for its second year of empowering local residents to promote voting and civic participation in their communities! The first 2024 Democracy Academy workshop will be hosted virtually on Wednesday, March 20 at 6 p.m. The topic will be “Your Community Your Government: Making the Case for Getting out the Vote in Local Elections.”

In 2023, Voters Ed Fund launched Democracy Academy, a series of in-person workshops to combat low voter turnout in municipal elections statewide and expand local civic engagement. These workshops were targeted towards those who are starting their civic activism journey and looking to help their communities become more civically active in their local governments.

In its second year, Democracy Academy will introduce additional modules so that voters can take their civic activism to the next level. Attendees will learn about how the current election system encourages low turnout and the consequences of low voter participation on local government. Participants will also be provided with tools and techniques on how to engage neighbors in the political process.

“Every election matters, and local elections especially have an outsized impact on most folks’ day-to-day lives,” said Alyson Grigsby, Voters Ed Fund Education Programs Manager.

Grigsby added: “Unfortunately, many voters aren’t aware of how consequential these local elections can be. And since many local elections in Michigan happen at irregular times, odd number years or outside of November, a majority of voters are missing out on this opportunity to make their voices heard. Making the Case for Local Elections is geared towards folks who are already civically engaged to connect with their friends, family, and community, and help them see the value and importance of these local elections.”

This story was originally published by Flint Courier News. Read more here: https://theflintcouriernews.com/democracy-academy-teaches-residents-how-to-boost-local-political-participation/

Voter Access Town Hall encourages informed voting in our community

Voters Not Politicians Education Fund (Voters Ed Fund), in partnership with the North Flint Neighborhood Action Council and Concerned Pastors for Social Action, recently hosted the “Flint Voter Access Town Hall.” There, the many residents who attended were able to discuss how to navigate new changes to Michigan’s voting laws as community leaders addressed expectations of voter turnout and answered questions from the community.

The Flint Voter Access Town Hall is part of a total campaign that is looking to make sure that historically marginalized communities in our democracy are engaged and informed in this upcoming election year, according to Melinda Billingsley, communications manager for Voters Not Politicians.

Melinda Billingsley, communications manager for Voters Not Politicians.

The Town Hall was held on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at the Flint Development Center.

Billingsley pointed out it was part of the My City Votes 2024 Campaign, which includes other municipalities.

“We’ve been to Benton Harbor, Muskegon Heights and Grand Rapids,” said Billingsley. “We’re going to Pontiac. So, all of these communities are part of a large campaign to make sure we’re hitting as many residents as possible, and getting them the correct information, straight from their local clerks – so that they are able to engage in their democratic process.”

This story was originally published by Flint Courier News. Read more here: https://theflintcouriernews.com/voter-access-town-hall-encourages-informed-voting-in-our-community/

Grand Rapids Voter Access Town Hall is part of the larger 2024 My City Votes Campaign

Grand Rapids’ LINK UP hosted a town hall Wednesday evening devoted to educating the public about new Michigan voting laws.

The Grand Rapids Voter Access Town Hall is bringing together community leaders along with Kent County and Grand Rapids government officials focused on helping community members navigate new voting laws. In particular, new voting rights enacted with the passages of Proposal 2. That includes early voting of up to nine days before election day and absentee voting.

“Once you sign up to be absentee, that is going to be forever.”

Erica Bouldin is a Climate Justice Organizers at Urban Core Collective.

“So, you don’t have to go back every single year and update that. And you don’t have to be disabled or out of the country or anything like that.”

“We’re also going to be expanding the requirements for absentee ballot drop boxes across the state.”

Charlie Beall is Director of Education Programs at Voters Not Politicians Education Fund. He explained seamless and secure access for voters is the goal.

“These new rights need a lot of education across the state so that voters know what their menu of options looks like.”

Melinda Billingsley explained the Grand Rapids Voter Access Town Hall is part of the larger 2024 My City Votes Campaign sponsored by Voters Not Politicians Education Fund.

“It’s just really important that voters in every community, but especially in communities that have been historically marginalized in our democracy get access to this information.”

This story was originally published by WGVU Public Media. Read more here: https://www.wgvunews.org/news/2023-12-07/grand-rapids-voter-access-town-hall-is-part-of-the-larger-2024-my-city-votes-campaign

Michigan redistricting was fraught. But it’s a ‘poster child of what is possible’ in a Midwest battleground

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission largely avoided the deadlocks and partisan divides that plagued other states. And as their self-imposed end-of-year deadline loomed, commissioners approved a final product with fewer fireworks than many expected. Many national redistricting observers view that as a win.

“We didn’t have people running out of the room crying or killing each other,” the commission’s then-chair, independent Rebecca Szetela, joked as the votes concluded.

But Michigan’s redistricting story isn’t over. Even after the dust settles on current legal challenges to the lines, the redistricting overhaul’s ultimate measure of success comes down to whether the public is convinced the independently-drawn maps result in a more representative government.

Thoughts on whether commissioners met that mark varies widely, depending on who you ask.

The core of Voters Not Politicians’ message, the bet supporters made, is that the average Michigan resident cared about redistricting — or would care if offered educational material and a crash course in mapping basics.

This article was originally published by MLive. Continue reading here: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/03/michigan-redistricting-was-fraught-but-its-a-poster-child-of-what-is-possible-in-a-midwest-battleground.html