THE VOTER
 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE MIDLAND AREA
Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy
August 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.
SAVE THE DATE: Judy Karandjeff of the LWV of Michigan will discuss Five Michigan Ballot Proposals on Monday, September 19 at 7pm at Creative 360. More information will be available in the September Voter Newsletter and on the webpage.
August 3 Primary

The turnout in Midland County was 30.33%, with 21,291 voters out of 70,187 registered voters in the county. If you are interested in details for your city or township, use this link. All county millage renewal proposals passed as well as the ESA bond proposal, and Coleman Community Schools operating millage renewal. The Board of Canvassers has certified the primary.
Voter Service

The Voter Guide is scheduled for distribution with Midland Daily News on October 15. It will be delivered to community contacts during the following week.

Vote411.org will be populated with candidates' information in late September.

Candidate forums are being planned for early October. There are a number of races that will be covered, including MPS School Board.
Election workers and challengers are needed for November General Election. The League of Women Voters of Michigan is working with other nonpartisan organizations to recruit election workers and challengers for both election cycles. 

To become an election inspector in the City of Midland, see their web page.

You can contact your township clerk if you are interested in being an election worker.
Tabulator Testing will be conducted again before the General Election. Watch for dates here or in MDN. It will happen 1-2 weeks before the election.
What Can I Do?

  1. Apply to become an election inspector/pollworker.
  2. Volunteer to be an election observer or election certification (Bosrd of Canvassers) inspector.
  3. Attend tabulator testing.
  4. Remind friends and relatives to register and vote or to get their absentee ballot.
The League's Impact on Redistricting

Three years after its creation, the League’s People Powered Fair Maps™ program (PPFM) released its impact report highlighting the importance of everyday involvement in redistricting. The program, which launched in the wake of the landmark case Rucho v. LWV of North Carolina, aimed to increase awareness of and participation in the decennial community districting process.

The report found that through PPFM, over 1.4 million people were engaged in local districting, 5 states implemented community-drawn maps, and 6 states increased their process’s transparency.
League of Women Voters of Michigan launches election certification observer program 
This program ensures the election certification process follows Michigan Constitution

Trained volunteer members of the League of Women Voters of Michigan will observe the certification of elections beginning with the primary. The volunteers will report their observations to the League of Women Voters of Michigan and report on irregularities. The League will report any issues to the appropriate government or legal source.

The League of Women Voters of Michigan will also hold a public webinar in October for public education on the entire Board of Canvasser process. More information on the webinar will be released later this summer.

The election certification process takes place in Midland County on the Thursday after the election.

More details will be coming.
Media:

Candidate forums for Aug 2 Primary
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

Sept 19, 7pm, Creative 360 - Five Michigan Ballot Proposals, Judy Karandjeff
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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 - Sherri Angelotti
Director, Media & Webpage - Katherine Redwine
Director, Advocacy - Sandy Haughton
Director, Advocacy - Iris Haynes
Director, Voter Service - Sue McCollister
Director, Voter Service - Sharron Such
Director, Education - Judy Frock
Director, Natural Resources - Carole Swinehart
Director, Cathy Anders
Director, Ellen Wehrman
Director, Tracy Brown
P.O. Box 1203
Midland, MI 48641-1203
(989) 859-5597