If you believe in equality and acceptance, be an informed voter

Click here to get a Washtenaw County sample ballot indicating which candidates support PEG’s mission of having a government that treats everyone with equality and acceptance. Sample ballots for additional counties will be added shortly. This year you will not have call friends for guidance. Vote and Vote the full ballot.

Absentee voting, an increasing popular choice with voters, alleviates crowding on Election Day.

Michigan law allows anyone 60 or older to vote absentee, or those with an interfering religious obligation, or those who plan to be absent on Election Day. (The key word here is plan.) The law also allows absentee voting in cases of medical emergency. Voters can apply for an absentee ballot up to the Saturday before Election Day at the City or County Clerk’s office. Absentee ballots must be returned by 8 pm on Election Day. Look at the video here.

TWO PITFALLS TO AVOID WHEN VOTING ABSENTEE:

Some voters worry that their ballot will be rejected if their signature is not identical to the one on their registration card. This is not a valid concern in Michigan, according to Larry Kestenbaum, Washtenaw County Clerk and Register of deed. The election board has digitalized copies of drivers’ licenses with their signatures. Also, he notes that “it’’s an urban legend that absentee ballots may not be counted. Every vote is counted.”

Another terrific video from the Washtenaw County Clerk's office

Click the image below to watch t his video about absentee voting.

NOTE: With Republicans having successfully killed straight-ticket voting in Michigan, lines on Election Day will be LOO-OONG! Avoid the lines and vote in your PJs by voting absentee. Besides, you'll be out Getting Out the Vote on Election Day anyway, right?! RIGHT?!!!

Proposition 1: Legalization of Marijuana

This is the voting initiative to legalize sale of marijuana in the state of Michigan. The effort was spearheaded by The Marijuana Policy Project, organized to end “marijuana prohibition” on both the state and federal level. Other groups which support this effort include ACLU of Michigan and MI Legalize.

A ten percent tax on the sale of marijuana would fund schools, roads, and local governments. Decriminalization of marijuana would also reduce incarceration. In addition, there are many health benefits for those suffering from pain, nausea, seizures, and insomnia. For more information on the tax and health benefits of legalization of marijuana, click here. To read why the Detroit Free Press endorses Proposition 1 , click here.

Proposal 2: Opposing gerrymandering

Voters Not Politicians needs canvassers who can explain the redistricting proposal that will be on the ballot in November. Newcomers and experienced knockers are all welcome. More information on opportunities — including in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Trenton, Flat Rock, Woodhaven, Grosse Ile, Brownstown — are available by clicking here .

    Text YESON2 to 555-888 to connect with the campaign, or visit votersnotpoliticians.com to volunteer or donate.

   A local office is now open at 3261 Lohr Rd, Ann Arbor.   Click here to learn about the various opportunities, including an author’s lunch, comedy club, house parties in Ann Arbor, Dexter, other events in Detroit and elsewhere.  They are all here with RSVP instructions. Click on Upcoming Events by clicking here .

Proposal 3: Reform Michigan’s voting system

Vote YES on Proposal 3 on the November ballot. It is also known as Promote the Vote and volunteers are needed to talk to as many voters as possible to encourage them to vote YES too. By volunteering you can help remove barriers to our state's elections and enhance election security to make sure every Michigander’s vote counts. Find Events near Ann Arbor below.

Vote Sam Bagenstos, a Non-Partisan Candidate, for Michigan Supreme Court

As a Michigander, regardless of your party affiliation, you will want the hardworking and brilliant Sam Bagenstos on the state Supreme Court. He graduated 1st in his class at Harvard Law School, and has clerked for Ruth Bader Ginsburg. He has argued lots of cases before the US Supreme Court, including four civil rights cases. He represented the people of Flint, taking their injury case to the Federal Court of appeals and winning! He's the kind of guy and lawyer we want making judgments for us in the Michigan Supreme Court. Vote for him for Michigan Supreme Court on election day.

Vote Megan Cavanagh, Another Non-Partisan Candidate, for Michigan Supreme Court

Cavanagh is a native Michigander you will want to support. She has demonstrated a commitment to equality throughout her career. Endorsed by the Michigan Association for Justice, she's represented diverse clients (non-profits, individuals, and small businesses) before state and federal appellate courts. As Chair of the Appellate Practice Section of the State Bar of Michigan, she's been active in maintaining legal standards throughout the state. Organizations as diverse as the Michigan State AFL-CIO, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 25, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), United Auto Workers Union (UAW), and the OCDP Black Caucus have endorsed her.

Attend a MI-Resistance calling party and help Michigan Dems take back our state

  This week's focus is making calls for Democratic State Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow. She is amazing and she has an excellent chance at flipping a Republican district. Here's her website: McmorrowForMichigan.com . We need your help reaching absentee voters. Click here to link to a virtual phone bank: You will first need to create an account (Very quick and easy!) and then you can start making calls for her from your own home.

Friday, October 19. Megan Cavanagh for Supreme Court Fundraiser

RSVP to (248) 804-0571 or email to [email protected] .

At the home of Nora Wright, 2008 Morton Dr, Ann Arbor . 5:30-7:30 pm

Saturday, October 20, Sunday, 21, Saturday 27, Sunday 28, Friday, November 2. Volunteer with NextGen America

 

Sunday, October 21 . Promote the Vote/Prop 3 Canvas s

For event information and to RSVP click here . 8399 Textile Rd, Ypsilanti. 10am

Wednesday, October 24. Dana Nessel for Michigan Attorney General reception

Hosts Eva Feldman, MD, PhD and Scott Roberts JD. Co-host $1,000, Sponsor $500, Friend $250, Guest $100. Personal checks to “Friends of Dana Nessel” or to donate online click here. RSVP here . 585 Green Rd, Ann Arbor . 5:30–7 pm

Saturday, October 27. ACLU People Power Second Chances Call Party

For more information and to RSVP, call here . 1230 Astor Ave Ann Arbor . 1 pm

Tuesday, October 30. ACLU People Power Ann Arbor canvassing training

Come learn how to canvass, and understand best practices. All levels of experience welcome! AA Main Health Center, 3100 Professional Dr, Ann Arbor . 6:15–7 pm

Election Day: Your opportunity to Rebuke GOP Power in Lansing

Gretchen Whitmer is the Democratic candidate for governor of Michigan. She is the first woman to become Democratic Leader in the Michigan Senate, unanimously chosen by her Democratic colleagues. She supports Medicare and Medicaid, the health of the Great Lakes, public education, and improved roads for Michigan.

 

A vote for Gretchen Whitmer is a vote against the right wing leadership of her opponent, Bill Schuette, Attorney General under Governor Rick Snyder. As Attorney General, Schuette worked against Proposition 2, the voting initiative to end gerrymandering in Michigan. Moreover, he was indifferent to complaints coming from Flint that their water was contaminated until the Water Crisis became too pressing to ignore. 

To see Whitmer’s endorsements from unions representing 1,000,000 workers, and from diverse progressive organizations and prominent national and local leaders, click here.

 

Click here to record a short video about why you're voting for Gretchen Whitmer for governor.

 

Get out the vote for Gretchen Whitmer

Click here to learn more and sign up.

Sign up to pledge to elect Democrats

Click here to learn how.

Volunteer for the Michigan Dems

Join friends, old and new, to talk to voters about issues they care about and ask them to vote for Democrats on November 6. Success in the election depends on you getting involved. There are phone banking and canvassing opportunities virtually every day in:



To find the many various activities, places and times and to sign up c l i ck here .

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.

Thursday, October 18. Indivisible Dexter monthly meeting

The lineup so far!

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, 2319 Bishop Cir E,, Dexter . 7–8:30 pm

Friday, October 19 Bernie Sanders hosting rally for Gretchen Whitmer

Click here to get tickets for this FREE event. Share with other activist groups.

Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor . 7 pm

Sunday, October 21 State Rep. Donna Lasinski legislative coffee hour

Legislative update and open Q&A. Share this information. Contact Mikaylah Heffernan with questions. (313) 443-1188 or [email protected] . Zou Zou’s 101 N Main St, Chelsea. 2:30–3:30 pm

Monday, October 22. State Rep. Ronnie Peterson Town Hall

Focus: Early Childhood Education. Ypsilanti Township Civic Center, 7200 S. Huron River Dr, Ypsilanti . 6-7:30pm

Monday, October 22. Eastern Washtenaw County Dems meeting

418 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti. 6:30–8:30 pm

 

Tuesday, October 23. Planned Parenthood - Ann Arbor canvassing training

AA Main Center, 3100 Professional Dr, Ann Arbor . 6:15–7:15 pm

 

Washtenaw County Democratic Party debate watch parties

And...even more events!

Be sure to check out the PEG Calendar on our website for a comprehensive list of activists events happening in October.

Candidate volunteer opportunities, yard signs and campaign material availability

Portraits in Progressive Activism: Susan Prakken Smith

Our political engagement and commitment to activism is more important than ever. There are many wonderful Michiganders committed to creating positive change, sometimes against daunting odds. 

Read about Susan Prakken Smith, current president of Ann Arbor’s chapter of the League of Women Voters and the driving force behind the nonpartisan Proposal 2, which would create a nonpartisan commission to redistrict the state, and Proposal 3, which would add a set of voting rights to the Michigan Constitution. The   new   special section,  Portraits of Progressive Activists , is located under the Highlights tab on the PEG website at  http://equalityingov.org/highlights/portraits-of-activists .

29 Million Hispanic Americans eligible to vote in November

This is an all-time high!  Read more here .

Uber has joined Lyft in offering rides to voters for the midterm elections

Lyft announced that it will offer half-priced rides to all voters in the US on Election Day. And for under-served communities and those voters with transportation barriers, all rides will be free. Uber announced last Thursday that it's offering free rides to the polls for those people who say transportation barriers are why they don't vote. Let's read more at  CNET .

PEG is on Instagram and Twitter

Please, don't leave us lonely. Make sure to follow us on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/equalityingov and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/equalityingov for time-sensitive announcements, events, news, and reminders. And, some artistic funnies!

PEG Facebook posts are driving important discussion online

If you haven't checked out our Facebook page yet, you might consider it. We have daily posts on a variety of topics that either protect or threaten equality in the American government and its people. To the left, you will find one of our recent, popular posts. Check out more on our Facebook page!

Looking for more information?

Check out the equalityingov.org webpage. Find out everything you want to know about who we are; the issues and organizations we endorse; an events calendar; and past issues of our newsletter and Facebook postings. It’s all there on the Web! Click here to see us on Facebook and our frequent posts or tweet us!

Thanks to Newsletter contributors: Bernie Banet, Carolyn Christopher, Ellen Halter, Leslie McGraw, Richard Gaeth, Constance Cook, Susan Ayer and Chuck Newman for their help preparing this newsletter. Write us at [email protected] if you would like help create our weekly newsletter. It’s fun and no ongoing commitment is required.