April Voter

THE VOTER

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE MIDLAND AREA

www.LWV-Midland.org | Facebook | Bay County Unit | Bay County Facebook

April 2018

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.

Dear League Members and Friends,

This is a busy time of year. We have been doing voter registration at Delta College, participating in Equal Pay Day, and planning the Annual Meeting.

Soon, you will be receiving information in the mail about the Annual Meeting. The dinner is May May 16 at 6pm at the Midland Holiday Inn. Midland City Manager Brad Kaye will be the keynote speaker, beginning about 7:30pm. The annual business meeting will follow.

A presentation by MPS Superintendent MichaelSharrow on June 22 at the Trailside Senior Center is being planned. He will be explaining the MCESA renewal millage that will be on the Aug 8 ballot. We do not customarily have programs in the summer, but we needed this to be near to the August primary election date.

Yours in League,

Katherine Redwine, President

Equal Pay Day - April 10, 2018

This date symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. Because women earn less, on average, than men, they must work longer for the same amount of pay. The wage gap is even greater for most women of color.

From Channel 12 ABC Flint

Equal pay for equal work rally held in Lansing

Posted: Tue 5:58 PM, Apr 10, 2018

Equal pay for equal work is something Judy Donahue spent 25 years fighting for while working in corporate America. She retired in 2002. 16 years later, she is still fighting for that right. "I am shocked that this is still going on, that women in their salaries, that the salary does not reflect the actual value of their work," said Judy Donahue, attended equal pay rally in Lansing.

The interview was on at 5pm and 11pm and offered a little more time and photos from the Rally.

The LWV of the Midland Area joined with the AAUW and Zonta to sponsor a billboard about Equal Pay for Women. The billboard is on westbound US 10 east of Midland.

The Midland City Council issued a proclamation recognizing Equal Pay Day at its regular meeting April 9. Midland Daily News Article


	Ellie Schroeder and Terry Townley with student volunteer

VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE at DELTA COLLEGE

From Lisa Lawrenson: "It looks like we got 90 new registrations during the drive! Beyond the number who signed up, I know that many more were made aware of the importance of voting and making their voice heard in the political process."

Volunteers from the LWV of the Midland Area worked with Delta Co llege political science professor Lisa Lawrason to help students r egister to vote. Students filled out their information with Delta TurboVote, the volunteers checked the printed registrations and provide additional instructions. The registrations are then mailed directly to the appropriate clerk.

Many thanks to the student volunteers who helped us and helped their fellow students to get their information into the form correctly. The Learning Center staff and the Computer Lab staff were very helpful and supportive.

Plans are being made for another drive in the Fall.

Promote the Vote

Three hundred sixteen thousand -- 316,000 --

That's the number of valid signatures we need by the end of June to get real voting reform on the November ballot.

So far, about 80,000 signatures have been turned in. And I sent in 55 signatures from our Midland Area volunteers.

Are you interested in volunteering, but have not? Please contact Katherine Redwine, email or 989-859-5597 to get started.

Senior Expo at Midland Mall

Apr 25, 10am - 2pm

Come to our booth at the Midland Mall for information about the Promote the Vote! initiative, the upcoming Meridian bond issue and the MCESA millage renewal.

And Candy! We may even be a stamping station!

Historian Needed

Our League is in need of a Historian. This is not a Board position. It would require a few hours several time per year. The historian will keep track of press clippings, photos, other publications. Annually, the historian will submit materials to the Archives at the Midland County Historical Society.

Please contact Sue McCollister if you are interested. 631-4180 or suedonmc@aol.com.

VOTING INFORMATION

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)

Several members are taking training at MCTV so that we can bring you more educational videos.

Upcoming Events

May 16, 6pm - Annual Meeting & Dinner

Midland Holiday Inn

C. Bradley Kaye, Midland City Manager

Details of Dinner & Meeting will be mailed in April.

Jun 19, 5:30 - Fun & Frolic -- Note Date Change

Pontoon ride on Sanford Lake - arrive at Sharron Such's house at 5:30

Dinner at Sanford Lake Bar & Grill - 6pm

Join the boating group at restaurant. RSVP to Sharron Such (asharronsuch@yahoo.com) or 689-4148.

Jun 22, 11:30 am - 12:45 pm - Michael Sharrow, MPS on the MCESA millage renewal Trailside Senior Center

Details to come.