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"The Voter" Newsletter
November, 2022
(To see all the news, you must click above on "Display images below")
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November Notes
Michiganders are getting ready to vote in a few days in the 2022 midterm elections. In fact, many have already voted using absentee ballots. The LWVMI and our chapter LWVBCC has been busy helping to prepare voters by registering new voters, distributing Voter Guides, making sure Vote411 is up to date, holding town halls to teach voters about the proposals on the ballot, and conducting Meet & Greets and Forums with local candidates. In 2013, Chris Zilke, a past LWVBCC president and current member, wrote,
“As a League, we work to register new voters and facilitate voting for our citizens. We also need to educate ourselves and others to the best of our ability on issues of grave concern. Ask serious, well thought-out, questions of those in power. Express feelings and concerns clearly and concisely. It's a very big job, and it can be immensely rewarding and enjoyable as well. I personally have a lot of work to do in this regard.”
Chris’ words are very relevant and powerful for 2022. We still face issues of grave concern to our democracy and we must do all we can to Make Democracy Work.
xxThis past month, LWVBCC participated in two Meet and Greet events – one for Congressional District 4 in the northern part of our counties, one for Congressional District 5 in the southern part of our area, and one Forum for District 4 in conjunction with the Holland and Kalamazoo Leagues.
xxAll candidates running for office were invited, but not all participated. We got good press from local news outlets that helped spread the word. xxLWVBCC conducted a forum in Buchanan for the city council race. The Buchanan clerk was most appreciative as were the attendees, and the race got good press with reporting on local issues and candidate positions.
xxLWVBCC members registered voters on Lake Michigan College and Andrews University campuses.
The printed Voter Guides were a huge hit! Libraries and clerk’s offices were calling for as many as we could get to them. I was very worried about distributing 1,500 copies, but they went fast, and it was a pleasure to meet the people distributing them and to see how important they thought our nonpartisan, informative guide was to voters. In all, 120,000 copies were distributed statewide by League chapters.
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xxxLooking ahead for this month, I would like to remind you of the Action Alert we sent earlier calling for volunteers to observe the canvassing of November 8’s vote. Please contact your local clerk to see how you can help. Look for large and small ways that you can educate voters – help find Voter Guides, tell people about Vote411.org, steer them toward local articles on local races, recommend trusted news sources like "The Bridge" for comprehensive Voting Guides and up to the minute election coverage. Encourage people to vote.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx----Faith
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Save Sunday, December 4, for the much sought-after annual Holiday Party! Stay tuned for details to come shortly.
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xxxThe next meeting of the League of Women Voters' Book Club will be at the home of Chris Zilke on November 28th, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. We enjoyed our last meeting reviewing the book by NPR journalist Nina Totenburg, as she shared her touching and caring friendship with Ruth Bader Ginsberg. An amazing relationship of two woman that helped one understand the true meaning of friendship. Moving into the realm of government, our new book is "Laboratories of Autocracy" by David Pepper. It is an amazing look inside state governments and reasons to be aware of the threat to our Democracy. Please join our lively group, and if you have a question call Gloria.
The next meeting of the League of Womens' Book Club will meet at the home
of Chris Zilke on November 28th, 2022, at 10;00 a.m..We enjoyed our last meeting with NPR journalist Nina Totenburg, as she shared her touching and caring friendship wtih Ruth Bader Ginsberg. An amazing relationship of two woman that helped one understand the true meaning of friendship. Moving into the realm of government, our new book is "Laboratories of Autocracy" by David Pepper. It is an amazing look inside state governments and reasons to be aware of the
threat to our Democracy. Please join our lively group and if you have a question call me,
Gloria Weberg.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx ---
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BE A POLL WORKER.
MICHIGANVOTING.ORG/BE-A-POLL-WORKER
XXXMichigan still needs more election workers who affiliate as either Republican or Democrat to work the November 8th election!
XXXIf you're interested in serving, your next steps are listed below. Complete the State of Michigan Election inspector Interest Form ASAP to get connected with a clerk and schedule training over the next two-weeks. If you’ve already been contacted and hired by a clerk, please disregard this message.
XXXOnce submitted, your information will be provided to local election clerks looking to hire workers. If you have already completed the interest form, please start at step 2 below (please do not submit the form again).
XXXFor more information on eligibility requirements and poll worker responsibilities, view our Frequently Asked Questions section at Michigan.gov/DemocracyMVP.
XXXStep 2: Wait to be contacted.
Applying as an election inspector is applying for a job. This means you must wait to be contacted by a local clerk to be hired! For updates on your application, please contact the local clerk’s office where you applied directly. Learn more about the hiring process.
XXXHave you already been contacted, officially hired, and trained by a local clerk?
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Election Inspector Procedure Manual [Link]
- De-escalation training for Election Workers (video) [Link]
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What to Expect on Election Day as an Election Inspector (video) [Link]
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XXXIf you served as an election inspector in a previous election, we strongly encourage you to contact the clerk’s office where you previously served to inquire about opportunities to serve in upcoming elections. Find your clerk at Michigan.gov/Vote.
LWVLMR Update
xxxThe LWVLMR annual conference was held in person in Sheboygan, WI, as well as virtually, on October 21 and 22. The technology for the virtual portion has improved greatly over the past couple of years and LMR president Joy Gustoff-Mueller, and several members of the board have worked diligently to make the entire remote experience effective and enjoyable.
xxxTo view the presentations and to learn more about the business meeting and the continuing vital work of LMR please go to LWVLMR.org. xxxThere's much to learn about the presentations at this convention and this dedicated group of officers and directors.
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NEWS on the Environment
My only comment at this time is ... thank goodness Lula da Silva has won the Presidential election in Brasil. There's now a good chance that the Amazon rain forest will face far less degradation and destruction than in the very recent past.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx -- Chris Zilke
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xxxAND be sure to grab a copy of the Voter Guide or visit vote411.org for information submitted by
individual legislators seeking election/re-election.
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Calendar of Events
November 5
Daylight Saving Time ends;
Turn clocks back
November 8
Election Day
November 11
Veteran's Day
November 15
Board Meeting
November 29
Book Group 10 a.m.
at Chris Zilke's home
Please call or email her if you plan to attend. The book is "Laboratories of Autocracy" by David Pepper
December 4
Holiday Party! Save the Date!
Location: Surprise!
You'll Love It!
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LWVBCC
Board of Directors
Faith Schoon, President
Jane Raymond, Secretary
John Ripley, Treasurer &
Communications Coordinator
Audrey Lester
Zaundra Lipscomb
Dorothy Parker
Charmae Sanders
Amy Scrima
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PLEASE
TELL THEM YOU SAW THEIR AD IN THE LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS NEWSLETTER!
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Joe Jilek
Insurance Agent
(269) 695-2200
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The League as an organization does not support or oppose any political party, candidate for elected office, or any group that supports candidates. As individuals, though, but not as representatives of the League, members are encouraged to participate in political activity and to run for office. Our non-partisan policy does require two Board members--the President and the Voter Service Chair--to totally abstain from partisan political activity.
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