The Voter
League of Women Voters of the Midland Area
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IN THIS ISSUE
CALENDAR
Board Meetings are held 9:30-11:30 the first Thursday of each month in Conference Room A of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library. All members are invited to attend.

Sep 14, 7pm
Community Conversation
"Restoring Public Trust in State Government"
Grace A Dow Library
Community Room

Sep 27
National Voter Registration Day

Sep 26-29
Work with Delta College Political Science Program registering student voters. Contact Sue McCollister to volunteer.

Oct 6, 9:30am
Board of Directors

Oct 3, 7pm
Candidate Forum
Midland City Hall Council Chambers

Oct 6
ESA Candidate Forum
Location TBD

Oct 11
Last Day to Register for November Election

Oct 11
MPS Candidate Forum
Location TBD

Oct 12, 9am-3pm
Senior Expo
Midland Mall

Nov 8, 7am - 8pm
General Election

Register to vote in Michigan by Oct 11, 2016. Remind friends and relatives to register.
Are you registered?
Educational booklet for new voters
Your Elected Officials
See Photo Albums on our Facebook page.
Board of Directors
President

VP Membership

VP Program

Secretary

Treasurer
Directors
Judy Donahue - Program
Terry Townley - Education
Cathy Heng - Print Media
Katherine Redwine - New Media
Carole Swinehart - Voter Service
Kim Steinke - Voter Service
Fran Hamburg - Director at Large

CONNECTIONS

  
  
  
  
  
  

SEPTEMBER 2016
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION!
Restoring Faith in State Government
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Grace A. Dow Library Community Room

There still may be room. If you haven't registered, contact Judy Donahue at judit.donahue@sbcglobal.net or 989-486-9416 ASAP!

President's Letter

We are knee-deep in various activities to bring information on candidates to the voters, and to help young adults become voters. I sent a special e-mail to the membership requesting support for the voter registration drive at Delta College September 26-29.  Please sign up if you can!
Speaking of voter registration, October 11 is the last day to register for the November election. If you know of friends, family or neighbors who are newcomers to the state, remind them to register, and if necessary help them do so.
Other opportunities to support our voter service activities:
  • Candidate forums - greet attendees and participants, show support for our League and this process.
  • Voter Guide - proof read final draft; help distribute guides to local sites.
Also, financial support for our Voter Guide is always appreciated! Our costs run around $2900 for printing and distribution by Midland Daily News. The generous donations from local businesses, organizations and individuals are so appreciated, but they don't quite cover the costs. If you wish to contribute, your check should be made out to LWV of the Midland Area, with a note that it is for the Voter Guide. For a tax-deductible donation, make it out to LWVEF. Mail your check to LWV of the Midland Area, PO Box 1203, Midland 48641. Donors of $100 or more will have their names on the front page of the Guide, however any amount helps.


Sue McCollister
President
New Member !
Welcome to Carol Sarnacke, who joined us in August! We look forward to her participation and getting to know her.
BE INFORMED! Candidate Forums
Candidate forums are held to increase informed voting. The LWV and MCTV are sponsoring a forum for the 98th District Michigan House race and the Midland County Commissioner Districts 1 & 4 races. 

The candidate forum will be held Monday, October 3 at 7pm in Midland City Hall Council Chambers.  A live audience is welcome. The forum  will be broadcast live on Charter Channel 189 and rebroadcast on channel 191 until the election.   

The Program Order will be:
 
7:00 p.m.  -  98th District Michigan House:     Gary Glenn  & Geoff Malicoat
 
7:30 p.m. - Midland County Commissioner District 1: Jeannette Snyder & Connie Methner
 
8:00 p.m. - Midland County Commissioner District 4:  Gaye Terwillegar & Eric Anders 

School board races are also seeing a lot of activity. The Board for Midland Public Schools has eight candidates for four offices, and the Midland County Educational Service Agency (ESA) Board has four vying for two slots. 

Candidate forums  for the two Boards of Education are  sponsored by LWV and AAUW Midland Branch.    The forum for the Midland County Educational Service Agency (ESA) Board  is scheduled for October 6, and MPS  Board  for  October 11 . Terry Townley is coordinating these events, with her dual LWV/AAUW responsibilities. Details regarding time and place will be announced when firmed up.

All candidates will be invited to participate in Vote411.org
Vote411.org

Activity is high on VOTE411 preparations. Our plan is to publish around October 1.
This year we're increasing our VOTE411 coverage with the addition of selected township races. We're including the three largest townships (> 4,000 population) with contested races - Homer, Jerome, and Larkin. Each has two contested races, involving a total of 23 candidates. It will be interesting to read about the issues and concerns in these townships.
Senior Expo - October 12, 10 am - 3 pm Midland Mall

We will again be hosting a booth at this fall's Senior Expo sponsored by the Midland Daily News. Our special focus will be to provide information on the upcoming election. We'll have copies of the state VOTER GUIDE along with handouts on our local races. Watch for our ad in the Midland Daily News "Senior Expo" edition, to be published before the event. Stop by and say HI!

Voter Fraud - Real or a myth?

Those who advocate for strict voter ID requirements tell us that such measures are needed to fight voter fraud. Others report that voter fraud is extremely rare, and that stringent requirements are not only unnecessary but may result in voter suppression in some areas. For an extensive article citing a number of studies that conclude there is no significant level of fraudulent voting, see the Brennan Center for Justice report debunking the voter fraud myth.   There's nothing like real numbers to support one's position!
AAUW Book Sale
September 30, October 1 & 2 at the Midland Mall

Like to read? Find great bargains at AAUW's Used Book Sale, September 30 and October 1 & 2 at the Midland Mall, 9-9 Friday and Saturday, 10-4 Sunday. Most books are priced from $1 to $2.  Children's books start at 25 cents. Recent publications are $2-5. Sunday is Bag Day. For more information, call (989) 430-2067.

You can donate your books too!  Collection barrels are at Kroger. Family Fare, Sanford Food Center, Save a Lot and the Midland Mall through Monday, September 26.
Proceeds support college scholarships and educational projects.  Find information about Midland Branch online.
Membership
 If you are interested in joining, please fill out the form below, and send it in. If you have questions, please email Judy McDowell, VP Membership. 
 
mail to: LWV - Midland Area
P.O. Box 1203
Midland, MI 48641-1203
 
Any other questions or problems, email Katherine Redwine, e-newsletter editor.