THE VOTER
 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE MIDLAND AREA
Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy
May 2022
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.
Annual Meeting, May 25, 6-8:30pm at the Midland Country Club
Speaker: Bradley Kaye, Midland City Manager.

Brad has been working for the City of Midland for 10 years and was appointed City Manager in 2015. He will give us an overview of the City Manager's duties and update us
on what is going on in Midland.

Please send your RSVP with a check for $20 to Judy Donahue (16 Dartmoor Place, Midland, 48640) as soon as possible. Deadline is May 18. Form

LWV of the Midland Area has petitions for volunteers to circulate for Promote the Vote 2022.

Individuals circulating petitions through Voters Not Politicians helped to collect over 50 signatures at the Sr Expo. It is estimated that at least 15 LWV members are circulating petitions with Voters not Politicians.

LWVMI has designated May 14, June 4, and June 25 as Days of Action. Circulators are encouraged to plan collection outside libraries, parks, and other public places. 

If you are interested in becoming a circulator, contact Carol McPherson: Carol McPherson: Carol.j.mcpherson@gmail.com or Sherri Angelotti:  sherriangelotti@gmail.com 

Circulators will need to watch the training: https://youtu.be/UY8mpyciwqg

Here is a link to information on PTV2022: https://promotethevote2022.com

Some people may have the ability to collect a lot of signatures and some may only be able to collect a few among family, neighbors, and friends. All are welcome.  

Promote the Vote 2022 and a coalition of voting-rights groups, including LWVMI, seeks to amend the state constitution to expand these voting rights to:
  • Allow nine days of early voting
  • Publicly subsidize absentee ballots (with postage) and a tracking system for the ballot location
  • Continue to allow voters to sign an affidavit attesting to their identity rather than a state ID
  • Allow public sources and charities to fund local elections (i.e., church voting venues)
  • Allow voters to register for absentee ballots for all future elections
  • Require ballot drop boxes for every 15,000 voters in a municipality
  • Establish that post-election audits can only be conducted by state and local officials
Voter Service
Upcoming Elections

The August 2 Primary is fast approaching. We are gearing up for Candidate Forums in contested primaries. There are races for State Senate 35th District and for State House 95th District, City Council, Local Judges and some township offices. Watch for information in June and July.

The general election is on November 8. Candidate Forums will be held in late September and early October.

Vote411.org will be populated with information from candidates before each election.


Pre-Election Tabulator Testing

Prior to each election, all electronic tabulators and Voter Assist Terminals must be tested to verify that
  1. the equipment is performing correctly,
  2. the ballots have been properly prepared for each precinct,
  3. and the programs will accurately count votes.

The Election Commission is responsible for conducting a preliminary and public accuracy test. The tests must be conducted no later than 5 days before the election. Notice of the test must be published in a newspaper or journal of general circulation at least 48 hours prior to the test. LWVMI encourages members, especially those in Voter Service roles, poll workers, or those participating in the Board of Canvassers project, to observe these tabulator tests. Interested observers should contact their local League President with the name and the jurisdiction to be observed. We will provide members with a form to report back what they observed.

Midland County Pre-Election Tabulator Testing: Ann Manary, Midland County Clerk said that the testing is open to the public and observation is encouraged. Testing will be scheduled about 4-5 weeks before each election starting with the August Primary. Watch for dates to be announced.
League of Women Voters Responds to Leaked Supreme Court Opinion in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization. See press release https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/league-women-voters-responds-leaked-supreme-court-opinion-dobbs-v-jackson
Media:
Voting Rights, voting bills and 2 initiatives - a Zoom Presentation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IdIUtKUwn8

LWV State of Education Panel Discussion has been posted: State of Education | A Panel Discussion - YouTube
Upcoming Events

May 25, 2022, 6-8:30pm - Annual Business Meeting - Midland Country Club.
OUR SPONSORS

When you visit our sponsors, please identify yourself as a LWV Member.

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Board Members, 2020-2021
The board meets the First Thursday at Creative 360, 9:30am. Meetings may be held via ZOOM. Please email Kim Steinke or Katherine Redwine to inquire. All members are welcome. 

President - Kim Steinke
1st VP Membership - Carol McPherson
2nd VP Program - Judy Donahue
Secretary - Judy McDowell
Treasurer - Karen Sherwood
Director, Media & Webpage - Katherine Redwine
Director, Program - Sandy Collinson
Director, Advocacy - Sandy Haughton
Director, Membership - Anne Wallin
Director, Voter Service - Sue McCollister
Director, Advocacy - Iris Haynes
Director, Education - Judy Frock
Director, Natural Resources - Carole Swinehart
Director, Voter Service - Sharron Such
Director, Shadow Treasurer - Sherri Angelotti
P.O. Box 1203
Midland, MI 48641-1203
(989) 859-5597