PEG Newsletter #57

Newsletter #57, Thursday, May 3, 2018

77 weeks down, 27 weeks to midterm elections

Greetings!

PEG is a non-partisan volunteer organization whose mission is to assure that our government will treat all Americans with equality and acceptance. We do our work by recruiting, educating and nurturing supporters for worthy organizations, actions and events that reflect our beliefs. Click here to see us on Facebook and our frequent posts. To subscribe to this free newsletter, click here . To share with your friends and networks, use the sharing buttons below!

“ Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country. ”

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Upcoming Events

The PEG event calendar is provided as a community service to its readers, and is based on information provided by the event sponsors. Inclusion of material does not imply endorsement by PEG.

Saturday, May 12. 12th Congressional District Activist Summit

Join the 12th District for our first annual day long summit to connect + engage with other community activists/groups. You are invited to join a day of learning, training, and momentum building for the 2018 election.

The day long summit will include training sessions on how to improve group effectiveness through improved messaging, canvassing and recruitment and retention. Breakout sessions will afford the opportunity for each group to discuss their activities and issues while learning about the work of other activist organizations in the district. The plan is to convene a meeting toward the end of the day of representatives of each organization to discuss how to better coordinate district activities as we move toward the all-important mid-term elections in November. The hope is to hold a second summit in September more focused on mobilizing for the Fall elections. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. We have invited Jack Lessenberry for a lunch time talk. Below is a summary of key points.

Training Sessions

-Improve group effectiveness through effective messaging

-Social media tips/processes

-Canvassing for success

-Stories/case studies from the field

Goals

-Create a learning/sharing environment for groups to improve their operations/effectiveness

-Connect individuals/groups to leverage expertise

-Create new opportunities to collaborate

-Strengthen the activist social movement to impact change

Participating organizations in formation

Ann Arbor Citizens' Climate Lobby, Ann Arbor Democratic Club, 12th District Democratic Party, A2D2 Ann Arbor inDivisible for Democracy, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Indivisible Downriver 12th District, Indivisible Washtenaw County, Michigan Resistance, Michigan Women's March, Our Revolution: Reclaim our American Democracy: Michigan to Believe In, Protectors of Equality in Government, Poised for Action, Reclaiming Our American Democracy, State Representative Darrin Camilleri, State Representative Cara Clemente, State Representative Abdullah Hammoud, State Representative Erika Geiss, State Representative Donna Lasinski, State Representative Yousef Rabhi, State Representative Adam Zemke, and the Washtenaw County Democratic Party.

Please share this event with your lists and social media. Registration is free and open. Save your space now and visit the Summit website for more information and the schedule. Activist groups interested in participating, please contact [email protected] . Woodhaven High School, 24787 Van Horn Rd., Brownstown Charter Township . 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Thursday. May 3. Michigan Truth Tour Documentary & Community Conversation

As part of Bridge Magazine's Michigan Truth Tour , this free event on Thursday, May 3, will include a community discussion about why our political views differ and how we share common values. United Way of Washtenaw County, 2305 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor . Click here for details and to RSVP . 5:30 pm

Saturday, May 5. Saline Indivisible meeting

Saline Indivisible will host a talk by EMU Professor Barry Pyle, on "A Government Designed not to Work: Five Constitutional Factors". Professor Pyle comes highly recommended. Saline District Library, Brecon Rooms, 555 N. Maple Rd, Saline . 3–5 pm.

Sunday, May 6. Promote the Vote Weekend of Action Signature Collection

Click here to RSVP . Water Hill Music Festival. Spring and Miller Ave., Ann Arbor. 2 pm.

Promote the Vote MI now has a Ann Arbor Regional Office with an ample supply of blank petitions, and you can drop off completed petitions there , too . 1955 Pauline Blvd, Suite 100A, Ann Arbor. Hours are 9 am – 9 pm

Monday, May 7. Coffee hour with Rep Donna Lasinski in Northville

You are invited to join state Rep. Lasinski to discuss important issues about making our community a better place to live and work. Sign up for her biweekly e-newsletter to learn about future coffee hours and town halls! RepLasinski.com. Salem Township Hall, 9600 Six Mile Rd, Northville . 5:30 pm

Attend a MI-Resistance calling party

Contact [email protected] for more information, or click here to access their website and register for the event. This week callers will call to stop State Representatives from slashing workers' wages. Calling parties are scheduled as follows:

Monday, May 7. 1320 W. Huron St., Ann Arbor . 6–8 pm
Tuesday, May 8. 711 N. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor . 2–4 pm
Wednesday, May 9. 9211 Huron River Dr, Dexter . 6–8 pm
Monday, May 14. 1320 W. Huron St, Ann Arbor . 6–8 pm
Tuesday, May 15. 2743 N. Seminole Rd, Ann Arbor. 2–4 pm
Wednesday, May 23. 9211 Huron River Dr, Dexter. 6–8 pm

Tuesday, May 8. Movie and discussion

Based on over 700 interviews in Mexican towns where about half the population has left to work in the United States, The Other Side of Immigration addresses why so many Mexicans come to the U.S. and what happens to the families and communities they leave behind. Learn how U.S. immigration and economic policies impact our closest neighbor.

DINNER OPTION: Pilar’s Tamales Meal - $8.00 meal will include one Tamale with salsa, organic casamiento, fried plantains, and curtido (veg. Option available) Please RSVP to reserve your meal. RSVP: icpj-2018-dinner-movie.eventbrite.com . St Mary’s Student Parish, 331 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor . Dinner @ 6:30 pm, Movie @7:00 pm, discussion following.

Tuesday, May 8. VOTE--IT BEGINS NOW!!

Three communities in Washtenaw County will have proposals on the May 8, 2018 ballot. Voters in the Ann Arbor Public Schools district will be weighing in on a replacement millage for the district's main operating tax. This is for an increase on non-homestead property; it is not a tax on primary residences. To see the exact ballot language and background information, read more here. Sharon Township also has a ballot issue. Click here for information about proposals for a bond to build a high-speed Internet network. Ypsilanti Township has a tax for fire department equipment; in addition, Ypsilanti Township voters will be electing one park commissioner for a partial term.

And, on Wednesday, May 9, join a calling party to invite people to the Campaign Summit . Over 100 people who have been contacted have registered already, but there are lots more to call. People are delighted to know that we aren’t asking for a donation and are excited to hear about about this free and valuable event. Contact Ashley Hall at (248) 320-3887, for more information. 418 W. Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti . 6–8 pm

Saturday, May 12. Meet Michelle Deatrick, candidate for State Senate District 18

Michelle Deatrick is a former policy analyst, award winning poet, and vice-chair of the Washtenaw County Commission. Come to ask questions, or just to see what she has to say! B-24's Espresso Bar Eats and Entertainment, 217 West Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti . 9 am

Monday, May 14. Planned Parenthood of Michigan Detroit's Choice Event

Keynote speaker: Pulitzer Prize winner Sheryl WuDunn. Details and reservation information available here. At the Cube at the Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Ave, Detroit . 6–10 pm

Saturday, May 19. Michigan Truth Tour Documentary & Community Conversation

As part of Bridge Magazine's Michigan Truth Tour , this free event on Saturday, May 19, will include a community discussion about why our political views differ and how we share common values. Dexter Wellness Center, 2810 Baker Rd, Dexter. 8:30–9:30 am

Sunday, May 20. WeROC Public Meeting

Major action with key decision makers on mental health funding and other priority WeROC issues. More information coming — in the meantime, please consider making this a priority for your congregation or organization. Ekklesia Fellowship Ministries, 123 N. Adams, Ypsilanti. 10–10:30 am

Sunday, May 20. Monthly Postcard Writing Event

Postcards for America-Michigan asks you to join them to write postcards to our local, state and Federal government officials. Supplies are available but you are welcome to bring your own to use or share. Scripts prepared to use for ideas but bring your own passion causes if you like! You can drop in if you only have an hour. Panera Bread, 903 West Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, Noon–4 pm

Monday, July 9. Deadline for registering for Michigan primary elections

Michigan Primary elections will be held August 7, 2018. You must be registered by July 9 to vote. Here is the unofficial list of primary candidates and more information from the Secretary of State’s office. We will have more information on these candidates in future newsletters.

Michigan Primary elections will be held August 7, 2018

You must be registered by July 9 to vote. Here is the unofficial list of primary candidates and more information from the Secretary of State’s office. We will have more information on these candidates in future newsletters.

This newsletter contains many suggestions to contact your congresspeople. To acquire their contact information click here .

Things to do now

Check out the NEW 12th District Congressional District Newsletter

If you are currently receiving the PEG newsletter, you might have noticed something new in your mailbox on Sundays— a newsletter devoted to the 12th Congressional District, with information about interesting and informative events taking place in the 12th outside of Washtenaw County. Check it out! And please share it with your friends.

Learn why people are not informed voters

Last week, Professor Arthur Lupia, author of Uninformed spoke to us about what voters should know. His presentation was informative, entertaining and thought provoking. Watch video here.

Our lawmakers are falling down on the job

Tell your Michigan roads horror story. Michigan's crumbling roads and bridges take toll on cars and wallets. Have you blown out a tire, broken an axle, or lost a rim? Michigan’s legislature needs to know. Click here to record your story.

Support women activist artists

A year of turmoil sent women artists in Michigan into action This book is a record of their anger, hopes, fears, disgust, dreams, nightmares and acts of resistance. 2017 will not be forgotten. In full color 44 11″x14″ pages, each artist takes a full page to express their vision and point of view. Made in partnership with the Ann Arbor Women Artists and the Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors, it’s now available Here.

Paid Poll Workers are Vital to the Fairness of 2018 Elections

Become a poll worker in Detroit

This is a critically important job. Detroit has 490 voting precincts and 100 absentee counting boards. During an election, each of these precincts and boards requires a staff of paid precinct inspectors to assist voters as they arrive at the polls on Election Day. Learn more here.

Read, watch and listen

The Cap, Gown, Vote initiative

In Spring 2018, Let America Vote is launching Cap, Gown, Vote! in cities across the country in partnership with Mayors. Cap, Gown, Vote! is an initiative aimed at increasing voter registration among high school students. Being civically engaged is crucial to having a vibrant democracy. Research shows that when young people learn the voting process and vote, they are more likely to do so when they are older. Learn more and register here .

Why people don’t vote. Let’s change it!

You vote, don’t you? We at Countable are strong believers in voting, and we tend to assume that our users are, too. But lots of people don’t vote. Voter turnout for the 2016 presidential election hit all time highs...at 58 percent. Which means tens of millions of eligible voters didn’t vote. Read more here .
Who doesn’t vote and why? A new survey conducted by Suffolk University and USA Today, which polled citizens across all regions of the country, has some answers.
Who doesn’t vote? Age-wise, the respondents were pretty evenly split, but folks from 18–34 were the highest, at 29 percent. Caucasians were also significantly less likely to vote, at nearly 60 percent.
56 percent said they think the country is on the “wrong track.” The economy and political gridlock were listed as the biggest problems facing the country by respondents.
For those not registered to vote, the primary reasons for not voting were apathy and believing that voting doesn’t make a difference. For those registered, the primary reasons for not voting were lack of information on candidates and issues, and believing that voting doesn’t make a difference. Though for those registered, the highest percentage of respondents said they will vote in the 2018 midterms.
30 percent of respondents said a third party is necessary to properly represent Americans’ political views, and over 36 percent described themselves as politically moderate
The vast majority of respondents (83–86 percent), both liberals and conservatives, said that if they knew their vote could help swing an election they would vote.

Michigan's primary voters likely to shape politics for years to come

In the past, just 1-in-5 registered voters will even bother to show up. In many state House primaries — where districts are strongly tilted toward one party — this sliver of voters will determine the winner of the general election as well. An article from 2016 shows that every vote always counts more in the primaries and underdogs have a chance. - Bridge

A blue wave in Michigan Legislature?

Michigan Democrats shouldn’t count on riding a blue wave to win back control of the Republican-dominated Legislature in November, but it’s possible that strong turnout from the left could help the minority party in Lansing pick up seats. The focus will need to be on education and environment. Read more here. - Bridge

The Michigan League of Conservations Voters endorsements

The MLCW is a nonpartisan political organization aimed to protect Michigan's environmental concerns. Here is a list of their endorsements for the Michigan Primary:

SD=Senate District, HD=House District

Jim Ananich (Flint-SD 27)

Darrin Camilleri (Trenton-HD 23)

Stephanie Chang (Detroit-SD 1)

Christine Greig (Farmington Hills-HD 37)

Abdullah Hammoud (Dearborn-HD 15)

Jon Hoadley (Kalamazoo-HD 60)

David LaGrand (Grand Rapids-HD 75)

Kevin Hertel (St. Clair Shores-HD 18)

Donna Lasinski (Scio Township-HD 52)

Sheldon Neeley (Flint-HD 34)

Kristy Pagan (Canton-HD 21)

Yousef Rabhi (Ann Arbor-HD 53)

Terry Sabo (Muskegon-HD 92)

Rebekah Warren (Ann Arbor-HD 55)

Sarah Anthony (Lansing-HD 68)

Click here for some faces to match these names.

Caribbean and African immigrants discuss the importance of voting

A recent article in the Philadelphia Tribune focused on voting amongst the Caribbean and African immigrant communities in their city. Those who have been citizens for 10–20 years are much more engaged politically than newer immigrants. Eric Edi, executive director of AFRICOM, a coalition of African and Caribbean communities, said they are working to get more naturalized citizens to vote. “In order to build a stronger voting bloc, we ask organizations to ask their community members to be registered voters and we encourage those eligible for naturalization — to proceed with that.” - Philadelphia Tribune

Confession highlights the corrosive influence of money in politics

Mick Mulvaney said the quiet part out loud. “We had a hierarchy in my office in Congress,” the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said at the American Bankers Association conference in Washington. “If you’re a lobbyist who never gave us money, I didn’t talk to you. If you’re a lobbyist who gave us money, I might talk to you.” Read the full story here. -The Washington Post

In a first, 2020 census to count same-sex couples

For the first time ever, the decennial survey is expected to allow respondents to specify that they are part of a same-sex couple. The responses for “husband or wife” and “unmarried partner” will be broken out into “opposite-sex” and “same-sex” options. LGBTQ advocates say the change is “a step in the right direction.” Read the full story here. - NBC News

Fact checking Trump’s complaint that it will take 9 years to get all his nominations approved

The White House cannot seem to agree on a specific talking point about how long it would take to confirm every nominee — the president says nine years, while his aide says 11 — but in any case, officials say it would be a long time, even longer than a two-term presidency. Could that really be true? Find out here . - The Washington Post

Voters Not Politicians sued by group opposing end to gerrymandering

An organization calling itself “Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution” (CPMC) is seeking to block the “Voters Not Politicians” ballot proposal from appearing on the statewide ballot this fall. CPMC claims that, while Michigan citizens have the authority to initiate amendments to the state Constitution, they are not allowed to make massive revisions to the basic charter in a single proposal. They say the VNP ballot proposal is one of these.

VNP has already hired attorneys and they will have a chance to challenge this unproven legal theory. Moreover, while these political insiders may wish to characterize the VNP initiative as a general constitutional revision, it is not. It seeks only to end the destructive practice of gerrymandering. It does so by creating a nonpartisan commission to be in charge of legislative redistricting. It changes only those parts of the Michigan Constitution that accomplish that goal. Given a fair hearing, it seems unlikely that the insiders will prevail and that the citizens of Michigan will have a chance to vote end gerrymandering. - The Ballinger Report and Deadline Detroit

2018 Election: Get ready, get set....

Guide to Voter Registration in Michigan for college students

Click here for this great site.

Find out if a person is registered to vote

This organization has lots of other good info such as next election dates, polling places, etc. National Association of Secretaries of State

Congressional Districts by zip code

Click here.

Receive absentee ballot applications automatically

Registered Ann Arbor voters who qualify and regularly vote by absentee ballot, including residents over age 60, can sign up to automatically receive absentee ballot applications by mail for each election. Applications will be sent to those on this permanent list six to eight weeks prior to each election.

In order to receive a ballot, voters on the permanent list must still complete and sign the application each election. The next Election Day in the city is Tuesday, May 8. Call (734) 794-6140 or email the Ann Arbor City Clerk's Office at [email protected] for more information or to sign up.

Even more valuable voter resources

Know when elections are happening, and have the information you need to vote with confidence. Sign up to receive election reminders, get registered to vote, and apply for your absentee ballot!

Ensure you’ll have a ballot for 2018 primaries and midterms

Spend 60 seconds to verify your right to vote.

1) Check that you haven’t been removed from your state’s voter rolls ( check here ).

2) Ensure that you meet your state’s voter ID requirements ( check here). If you need help with getting ID or transport, go here or here.

3) Put your state’s primary dates in your calendar ( check here).

4) Make sure your polling place hasn’t been moved ( check here).

5) Important: Share these steps on social media so your friends can also vote.

10 podcasts to make you smarter about politics

Given the high interest level of the public into knowing everything that is going on with President Donald Trump's administration,news organizations that cover politics have plunged head-first into the audio space. Here are 10 must-listen political podcasts to add to your list. -Apple News

Things That Are Good

Travel companies are making it easier to help hurricane-affected islands.
Muslim, Jewish, and Christian leaders advocate for striking down the travel ban.
“The Court also rules that, because transgender people have long been subjected to systemic oppression and forced to live in silence, they are a protected class.”
Over 100 DOJ alumni issue a statement supporting the rule of law, Rosenstein, and Mueller.
The US Supreme Court gains its first-ever Native American law clerk.
Two former Secretaries of Commerce, one Democrat, one Republican, joined to write an op-ed opposing a census citizenship question.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth becomes the first sitting senator to give birth and advocates for babies being with parents at work for their first year of life.
A US District Court ruled that police departments cannot be denied federal funds for not cooperating with ICE.
NAACP is suing the Census Bureau over inadequate preparations for the 2020 Census.
Some 2018 candidates are calling for abolishing ICE.
There are now more state-level bills across the country expanding voting rights than restricting voting access.
In NJ, lawmakers vote to stabilize healthcare costs by reinstating the ACA individual mandate.
GA residents collaborated to defeat an unAmerican, anti-immigrant bill.
Conservative columnist George Will wrote in support of restoring the vote to returning citizens released from prison.
OR governor, Kate Brown, refuses order to send National Guard to US-Mexico border.
For the eighth year in a row, the Nebraska legislature blocks legislation requiring voters to show photo ID.
NJ is poised to become the 12th state to implement automatic voter registration.
PA must have paper-record voting systems no later than December 31, 2019.
Alaska elections officials are exploring vote by mail after Anchorage’s first vote-by-mail elections broke voter-turnout records.
Coleman Federal Prison reverses its decision restricting books to inmates.
State of Michigan approves marijuana legalization initiative for November ballot. Read More: http://ow.ly/kLus30jHbZR
309 women are running for congress! It’s official; the number of women running for congress from the two major parties numbers 309, which is higher already than the previous high water mark in 2012, when 298 women ran for Congress. There is still yet time for new candidates to register to run. -The Associated Press

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Thanks to Newsletter contributors: Bernie Banet, Carolyn Christopher , Ellen Halter, Leslie McGraw, Carolyn Christopher, CivCity, Rick Price, Jen Hoffman, Ginny Morgan, Susan Ayer, and Chuck Newman for their help preparing this newsletter. Write us at [email protected] if you would like to learn how you can help create our weekly newsletter. It’s fun and no ongoing commitment is required.