Proposal 22-2, passed by voters in 2022, is now being implemented. Once the supporting legislation has been signed into law, 1,603 local and county election clerks will be responsible for ensuring that the Prop 22-2 amendment is carried out across Michigan’s 1,520 local election jurisdictions.
From late March to late May 2023, Voters Not Politicians Education Fund interviewed more than 30 municipal election clerks throughout the state of Michigan to learn and share their perspectives on the work ahead.
The interviews revealed several key findings. Firstly, all of the clerks expressed the need for additional financial support from the state to adequately fund elections in 2024, regardless of their jurisdiction’s size. Many clerks highlighted uncertainty regarding their plans for early voting, with 16 out of 33 respondents still undecided and awaiting guidance. Another notable finding was that a majority of clerks have little experience in administering pre-paid postage for absentee ballot return envelopes. Regarding publicly-disclosed donations to fund elections, there was a lack of clarity among clerks. Nearly half of clerks expressed uncertainty as to whether they would accept or seek such donations, indicating a need for more guidance from state authorities in order to move forward.
Lastly, the clerks emphasized the importance of voter education over the next two years. They stressed the need for comprehensive education on the election process, the changes introduced by Proposal 22-2, and the security measures in place that ensure fair and accurate elections. They hope to see voters well-informed and empowered to participate in the electoral process.
We could not have completed this comprehensive report without our Clerk Engagement Volunteers! We express our heartfelt gratitude and utmost appreciation to our remarkable volunteers who have dedicated their time, energy, and passion to this project. Your generosity and selflessness inspire us all and remind us of the power of collective action. To each and every one of our volunteers, thank you for making a difference in the lives of others. Your dedication to civic engagement leaves a lasting legacy of compassion and hope for the people of Michigan.
We can’t do much about funding (except encourage our legislators) but we can do education! Hope VNP will create a program for us volunteers across the state to talk to people, hold info sessions, etc.