THE VOTER
 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE MIDLAND AREA
September 2018
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

The League of Women Voters is a national, political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in their government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.  The League is non-partisan and as an organization does not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties.

Logo of LWV - Midland
Dear League Members,

The November mid-term election is swiftly approaching. There's a lot to do before November 6.

Candidate Forums: General Election and MPS School Board.

Education and Advocacy about the proposals: League members are speaking to at least 3 groups about proposals.

Preparation of the print Voters Guide: An intense effort will be made to prepare the text as quickly as possible so that it can be distributed in the October 13 Weekend Edition of the Midland Daily News.

Please see below for details on all of these activities.

Yours in League,

Katherine Redwine, President

NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY
SEPTEMBER 25
National Voter Registration Day
National Voter Registration Day is a single day of coordinated media and field efforts to raise awareness of voter registration opportunities and register as many eligible voters as possible. As a nonpartisan day of action, National Voter Registration Day is endorsed by the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) and the National Association of 
Secretaries of State (NASS).

The LWV of the Midland Area has participated in voter registrations at Delta College, Bullock Creek High School and the County Fair.

VOTER SERVICE ATIVITIES
Print Voter Guide coming Oct 13

One of our League's most visible and valued voter service activities is the production of the nonpartisan Voter Guide that is planned for publication October 13. League volunteers perform information gathering, preliminary editing and proofing tasks, while layout, printing and distribution are provided by Midland Daily News, with funding from local businesses and individuals and generous donations from our members. The Guides are included as inserts in the Daily News and are also distributed to the Grace A. Dow Library, senior centers, and other community outlets.

This year we have experienced the loss of some of our more significant donors in the community, and we are so grateful for the generosity of those of you who have already contributed, which helps to fill this gap. If others would like to help support this effort, please send a check made out to LWV of the Midland Area, to LWV Midland Area, PO Box 1203, Midland 48640. For a tax-deductible contribution, make the check payable to LWVEF, the League's Education Fund.

Our special thanks to all you do to support the work of the League!
.org is your one-stop shop  for election information!
 
VOTE411.org  will have the candidate information for your area by Sept 22. The best way to access it is to enter your address, and click on "Get Personalized information on candidates and issues."  You will see information about all items on your ballot except Township items.

Statewide races will be added to VOTE411.org  for the General Election: Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Board of Education, 3 University Boards (U of M, MSU, WSU), and the Michigan Supreme Court. Minor Party candidates were sent questionnaires. 

Please tell people who ask about Vote411.org.

Candidate Forum - MPS School Board
Tues, Sept 25, 7pm - arrive by 6:45 to be seated
MPS Administrative Building
600 E. Carpenter

The LWV and AAUW will co-sponsor a candidate forum for the Midland Public School candidates. The forum will be held Tuesday, Sept 25 at 7:00 PM in the Board room of the Midland Public Schools Administration building. Please arrive by 6:45 to be in the audience.

Five candidates are running for the 3 open seats. The candidates on the November ballot are:  Patrick Frazee ( incumbent), Jon Lauderbach, Phillip  Rausch, Pam Singer (incumbent ), and Kurt Yockey. (not all candidates are confirmed at this time)

Forum will be broadcast live on Charter channel 98/ ATT 99, and be rebroadcast until the election. 
Candidate Forum - General Election
Monday, Oct 1 - City Hall Council Chambers
7pm - arrive by 6:45 to be seated.

This forum will cover the 36th District State Senate, 98th District House, and County Commissioner Districts 3 and 5. Candidates for the 36th District House are Tony Stamas (R, inc) and Joe Weir (D).

Candidates for County Commissioners Dist 3 are Steve Glaser (R, inc) and Chloe Updegraff (D). Candidates for District 5 are incumbent Jim Geisler (R) and Jeff Havens (D).  (Geisler has chosen not to participate in the forum)

Forum will be broadcast live on Charter 189/ATT 99 and available on the MCTV YouTube channel. It will also be replayed periodically on Charter 189/ATT 99 until the election.  
Candidate Forum - District 98 State House
October 16, 7pm - arrive by 6:45 to be seated.
MCTV Studios, Grace A Dow Memorial Library

A forum for Annette Glenn (R) and Sarah Schulz (D), candidates for the 98th District State House seat, will be held October 16 in the studios of MCTV in the Grace A. Dow Library at 7:00 pm. Audience members need to arrive by 6:45 pm, as space is limited to about 30 people. LWV and MCTV are also co-hosting this event.

Forum will be broadcast live on Charter 189/ATT 99 and available on the MCTV YouTube channel. It will also be replayed periodically on Charter 189/ATT 99 until the election. 
logo Creating a More Perfect Democracy
Voter Registration at Delta College
Sept 17-19

We will again assist with Voter Registration at Delta College. Delta is a member of The Democracy Commitment, a program to enhance civic participation on community college campuses. Political Science Professor Lisa Lawrenson runs the program for Delta. There are a number of student activities this semester to engage students in the political process. Delta is seeking a Voter Friendly Campus designation.

The LWV of the Midland Area is pleased to be part of this educational program. 14 members will be be volunteering 16 hours at Delta. Clerks from the City & County of Midland, and from Bay County are verifying addresses and sending verified registrations to the appropriate clerks.

ps: if you are interested in registering voters and have not been able to sign up, please email Sue McCollister (suedonmc@aol.com)  to be put on a list for the next opportunity.
PROPOSALS
LWVMI Proposals Handout
Voters Not Politicians Redistricting Proposal

The VNP Constitutional amendment is proposal  18-2. Please note that neither "Voters not Politicians" nor "redistricting" appear in the ballot language. Please refer to it as "Proposal 2". 

Information about what is included in this Constitutional Amendment is on the VNP website. Complete text of the amendment is here. Talk to your friends and neighbors and encourage them to 

VOTE YES on PROPOSAL 2!
Promote the Vote logo

The Promote the Vote initiative is on the ballot as   Proposal 18-3. Please refer to it as "Proposal 3". The words "promote the vote" or "voter rights" do not appear in the language.

Additional information about what is included in the Constitutional Amendment are on the Promote the Vote website. Talk to your friends and neighbors to encourage them to 

VOTE YES on PROPOSAL 3!

Celebrating our 50th Anniversary and the LWV's 100th Anniversary
We will be jointly celebrating the LWV of the Midland Area's 50th Anniversary and the Centennial of the LWV of the United States and the Centennial of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment. These events will take place  from February 2019 through August 2020.

Key Dates:
April 2019 - 50th Anniversary of the Midland League
 
February 14, 2020 - 100th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters
 
August 18, 2020 - 100th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment

Kickoff Event:
February 12, 2019 - LWV of the Midland Area Anniversary Party

Gala:
February 2020 - LWV 100th Anniversary Gala

Other Activities being planned:
March 2019 - August 2020 
 History / Women's Issues conversations 

May 2020Memorial Day Parade

2019-2020 Academic Year
Student Essay Contest

LWV Midland History - the next 25 years (1995-2019)  (printed booklet)
Midland County Fair - a qualified success

20 league members worked 28 hours talking to people about Promote the Vote, Vote411.org, and voter registration. We found that we really had to greet people in the aisle and start up a conversation.

Thank-you to the following people for helping to educate and register voters in our area.  Karen Sherwood, Sharron Such, Julie Schmidt, Carol Sarnake, Sandy Collinson, Judy Donahue, Cindy LeVasseur, Ruth Copp, John McKelvey, Kathy Miller, Cathy Mitzel, Adora Crook, Terry Townley, Judy Frock, Carol Locker, Fran Hamburg and Jane Wirth from the committee:  Sue McCollister,  Katherine Redwine and Kim Steinke.
VIDEO
Bay County

The Bay County Clerk has put instructional videos on their web page demonstrating how to use their new voting equipment. Their system is different than Midland's. Thank-you, Bay County Clerk
Meet your new voting machines
See the 16 minute video at   http://mctv.midland-mi.org/Cablecast/Public/Show.aspx?ChannelID=1&ShowID=8918 (click on link or copy & paste into your browser address bar)
Upcoming Events
Sept 17-19 Voter Registration at Delta College. 

Sept 25, 7pm (please arrive by 6:45)
Midland Public School Board Candidate Forum
MPS Administrative Building, 600 W Carpenter

September 25, 7:00-8:30
National Voter Registration Day Event
SVSU

Sept 26, 10-2, Senior Expo at Midland Mall

October 1, 7pm (please arrive by 6:45)
General Election Candidate Forum
City Hall Council Chambers
Forum for 36th District State Senate and County Commissioner Districts 3 and 5.

October 13 - Print Voter Guide scheduled for distribution in the Midland Daily News weekend edition.

October 16, 7 pm (please arrive by 6:45)
MCTV Studio, Grace A. Dow Memorial Library 
Candidate Forum for the 98th District MI House.

Nov 6, 7am - 8pm Election Day - VOTE!

Dec 6 - Holiday Luncheon - Mark your Calendar!

2019 - more info to come
2/12 - LWV Midland 50th Anniversary Party - Creative 360 7-9pm
 
3/26 - Midland County Housing Panel - Creative 360 7-8:30pm
 
5/15 - Annual Meeting - several locations are being researched - decision soon.
 
6/18 - Pontoon boat ride and dinner at Sanford Lake bar and grill.


LWV logo
Board Members
The board meets the First Thursday of each month at Creative360, 9:30-11:30. No meeting in June or July. All members are welcome. 

President - Katherine Redwine
Treasurer - Karen Sherwood
Secretary - Judy McDowell
VP Membership - Carol McPherson
VP Program -  Judy Donahue
Director, Voter Service - Sue McCollister
Director, Voter Service - Kim Steinke
Director, Natural Resources - Carole Swinehart
Director, Natural Resources - Sandy Collinson
Director, Sandy Haughton
Director, Webpage - Julie Schmidt
Director, Print Media - Cathy Heng
Director, Sharron Such
Director, Terry Townley
Director, Bay County Convener - Pam Saddler

Quick Links
LWV Forum
LWV - Midland Area
LWV-Bay County (geographical unit of LWV Midland Area)
LWV-Lake Michigan Region
City of Midland
Midland County
Grace A Dow Memorial Library
Midland Public Schools
Your Elected Officials, p.1
Your Elected Officials, p.2
In This Issue
Our Sponsors
When you visit our sponsors, please identify yourself as a LWV Member
Link to Space Studios_ Inc
business card for Shirlene_s Cuisine
business card for Partners in Change
Quick Links for Election
 
Promote the Vote
Voters Not Politicians

Membership
Interested in Joining? 
Use this  here or email   Carol McPherson

League of Women Voters of the Midland Area
KatherineTaylorRedwine@gmail.com  
P.O. Box 1203
Midland, MI 48641-1203