Dear League Members,
It has been an exciting few weeks. We have had candidate forums for the
MPS Board,
the 36th District State Senate and County Commission Districts 3 & 5. They are available on MCTV, YouTube and as a podcast (details below).
There is one more forum, for the 98th State House, on Oct 16 at 7pm. It will be televised live on MCTV (
Charter 189 / ATT 99) and on MCTV's YouTube channel.
We are also doing, or have done presentations about the proposals for groups that have asked.
The print
Voters Guide is almost ready, and will be distributed with the
Midland Daily News Oct 13 weekend edition. Additional copies will be distributed around the community beginning Oct 15.
I am very proud of the feedback we have received for our efforts to educate our local voters.
Yours in League,
Katherine Redwine, President
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Candidate Forum - District 98 State House
October 16, 7pm - arrive 6:30-6:45 to be seated.
MCTV Studios, Grace A Dow Memorial Library (Lower Level)
A forum for Annette Glenn (R) and Sarah Schulz (D), candidates for the 98th District State House seat, will be held October 16 in the studios of MCTV in the Grace A. Dow Library at 7:00 pm. The audience needs to arrive by 6:30 - 6:45 pm to be seated. LWV and MCTV are also co-hosting this event.
Forum will be broadcast live on Charter 189/ATT 99 and available on the MCTV YouTube channel. It will also be replayed periodically on Charter 191/ATT 99 until the election.
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Availability of Candidate Forums
Candidate Forums are available on MCTV, YouTube and by podcast. Links are posted on
LWV-Midland.org. Please inform people who ask of these options.
MPS Board Candidate Forum
no podcast
Candidate Forum for 36th State Senate and County Commissioners District 3 & 5
Podcast instructions
Use your favorite podcast app - Search for "MCTV Network Community Voices". iPhones have one built in. Android devices use Google podcasts. There are many others.
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Print Voter Guide coming Oct 13
One of our League's most visible and valued voter service activities is the production of the nonpartisan
Voter Guide that is planned for publication October 13. League volunteers perform information gathering, preliminary editing and proofing tasks, while layout, printing and distribution are provided by Midland Daily News, with funding from local businesses and individuals and generous donations from our members. The Guides are included as inserts in the Daily News and are also distributed to the Grace A. Dow Library, senior centers, and other community outlets.
This year we have experienced the loss of some of our more significant donors in the community, and we are so grateful for the generosity of those of you who have already contributed, which helps to fill this gap.
If others would like to help support this effort, please send a check made out to LWV of the Midland Area, to LWV Midland Area, PO Box 1203, Midland 48640.
For a tax-deductible contribution, make the check payable to LWVEF, the League's Education Fund.
Our special thanks to all you do to support the work of the League!
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School Resource Officer County Millage
You will see this on your November ballot:
A proposal to seek a levy up to 0.4 mills over the next 4 years to provide licensed School Resource Officers to all Midland County public high schools.
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Proposals 1, 2, and 3
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There are 3 state proposals on the November ballot.
See Vote411.org for ballot language
Proposal 1: Marijuana Legalization Initiative
A proposed initiated law to authorize and legalize possession, use and cultivation of marijuana products by individuals who are at least 21 years of age and older, and commercial sales of marijuana through state-licensed retailers.
This proposal would:
- Allow individuals 21 and older to purchase, possess and use marijuana and marijuana-infused edibles, and grow up to 12 marijuana plants for personal consumption.
- Impose a 10-ounce limit for marijuana kept at residences and require amounts over 2.5 ounces be secured in locked containers.
- Create a state licensing system for marijuana businesses and allow municipalities to ban or restrict them.
- Permit retail sales of marijuana and edibles subject to a 10% tax, dedicated to implementation costs, clinical trials, schools, roads, and municipalities where marijuana businesses are located.
- Change several current violations from crimes to civil infractions.
PRO: Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol
CON: Healthy and Productive Michigan
The LWV neither opposes nor supports Proposal 1.
Proposal 2: Independent Redistricting Commission
A proposed constitutional amendment to establish a commission of citizens with exclusive authority to adopt district boundaries for the Michigan Senate, Michigan House of Representatives and U.S. Congress, every 10 years.
This proposed constitutional amendment would:
- Create a commission of 13 registered voters randomly selected by the Secretary of State:
- 4 each who self-identify as affiliated with the 2 major political parties; and
- 5 who self-identify as unaffiliated with major political parties.
- Prohibit partisan officeholders and candidates, their employees, certain relatives, and lobbyists from serving as commissioners.
- Establish new redistricting criteria including geographically compact and contiguous districts of equal population, reflecting Michigan's diverse population and communities of interest. Districts shall not provide disproportionate advantage to political parties or candidates.
- Require an appropriation of funds for commission operations and commissioner compensation.
PRO: Voters Not Politicians
CON: Protect My Vote (no web site)
The LWV supports Proposal 2.
Proposal 3: Promote the Vote
A proposal to authorize automatic and Election Day voter registration, no-reason absentee voting, and straight ticket voting; and add current legal requirements for military and overseas voting and postelection audits to the Michigan Constitution
This proposed constitutional amendment would allow a United States citizen who is qualified to vote in Michigan to:
- Become automatically registered to vote when applying for, updating or renewing a driver's license or state-issued personal identification card, unless the person declines.
- Simultaneously register to vote with proof of residency and obtain a ballot during the 2-week period prior to an election, up to and including Election Day.
- Obtain an absent voter ballot without providing a reason.
- Cast a straight-ticket vote for all candidates of a particular political party when voting in a partisan general election.
PRO: Promote the Vote
CON: Protect my Vote (no web site)
The LWV supports Proposal 3. |
.org is your one-stop shop
for election information!
VOTE411.org
has the candidate information for your ballot. The best way to access it is to enter your address, and click on "Get Personalized information on candidates and issues." You will see information about all items on your ballot except Township items.
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Voter Registration at Delta College
Sept 17-19
The grand total of new registrations was 249. Nextgen America also had reps stationed on campus doing registrations, which contributed to this number. Nextgen is a nonprofit environmental advocacy group that has been focusing on voter registration of young people.
Clerks from Midland and Bay verified registrations - thank-you Vickie Buckley and ??
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Celebrating our 50th Anniversary and the LWV's 100th Anniversary
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We will be jointly celebrating the LWV of the Midland Area's 50th Anniversary and the Centennial of the LWV of the United States and the Centennial of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment. These events will take place
from February 2019 through August 2020.
Key Dates:
April 2019
- 50th Anniversary of the Midland League
February 14, 2020
- 100th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters
August 18, 2020
- 100th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment
Kickoff Event:
February 12, 2019 - LWV of the Midland Area Anniversary Party
Gala:
February 2020 - LWV 100th Anniversary Gala
Other Activities being planned:
March 2019 - August 2020
History / Women's Issues conversations
May 2020 - Memorial Day Parade
2019-2020 Academic Year
Student Essay Contest
LWV Midland History - the next 25 years (1995-2019)
(printed booklet)
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The
Bay County Clerk has put
instructional videos on their web page demonstrating how to use their new voting equipment. Their system is different than Midland's. Thank-you, Bay County Clerk
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Meet your new voting machines
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October 13
- Print Voter Guide scheduled for distribution in the
Midland Daily News
weekend edition.
October 16, 7 pm (please arrive by 6:45)
MCTV Studio, Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
Candidate Forum for the 98th District MI House.
Nov 6, 7am - 8pm Election Day - VOTE!
Dec 6 - Holiday Luncheon - Mark your Calendar!
2019 - more info to come
2/12 - LWV Midland 50th Anniversary Party - Creative 360 7-9pm
3/26 - Midland County Housing Panel - Creative 360 7-8:30pm
5/15 - Annual Meeting - Midland Country Club
6/18 - Pontoon boat ride and dinner at Sanford Lake bar and grill.
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Board Members
The board meets the First Thursday of each month at Creative360, 9:30-11:30. No meeting in June or July. All members are welcome.
VP Membership - Carol McPherson
VP Program - Judy Donahue
Director, Voter Service - Sue McCollister
Director, Voter Service - Kim Steinke
Director, Natural Resources - Carole Swinehart
Director, Natural Resources - Sandy Collinson
Director, Sandy Haughton
Director, Webpage - Julie Schmidt
Director, Print Media - Cathy Heng
Director, Sharron Such
Director, Terry Townley
Director, Bay County Convener - Pam Saddler
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| LWV-Bay County (geographical unit of LWV Midland Area) |
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When you visit our sponsors, please identify yourself as a LWV Member
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