Democracy Drumbeat: February 28, 2023
Author’s Note
Michigan LCV and the Democracy For All team are devastated by the recent mass shooting at Michigan State University that claimed the lives of three students and left five more in the hospital with life-threatening injuries. We stand with the victims, their families, Michigan State students and the Spartan community in grieving this horrific tragedy and calling for change.
A photo of a sit-in protest organized by MSU students at the Capitol following the tragic shooting.
Read Michigan LCV’s public statement here.
Please consider donating to those affected.
Our February Democracy Recap
Secretary Benson announces new Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie
After working as the state director of All Voting Is Local for several years, Aghogho Edevbie will lead the administration’s election policy as Michigan’s new Deputy Secretary of State. He will also work on outreach and education with state and local elected officials, as well as supporting clerks and community organizations.
Congratulations, Aghogho! Thank you for the last three years of dedicated partnership between All Voting Is Local and Michigan LCV. We look forward to partnering with you in your new role!
The Michigan 2024 Presidential Primary Election
Let’s talk about 2024! Introduced in January, Senate Bill 13 will move the presidential primary election to the fourth week of February 2024, changing it from the second Tuesday in March.
After passing through the Legislature, the bill was signed by Governor Whitmer and will take effect 90 days after the end of session.
The Michigan Legislature is typically on break in December, which means details would need to be flushed out by the end of November 2023 for the bill to take effect in 2024. Our Democracy for All team is following this closely and will keep you updated as details become available.
Are there May elections in your community?
Voters who apply for an absentee ballot for the May election using the Bureau Of Election’s paper application form will be able to join the permanent mail voter list using that same application.
You can find your local clerk’s address, email, and phone number at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us.
Governor Whitmer releases the 2024 proposed state budget
The state’s 2024 fiscal year budget was released this month. This is one of the largest proposed budgets in Michigan history. Here’s the breakdown of projected funding for our elections:
- $24 million for the 2024 presidential primary
- $16.4 million to implement Proposals 1 and 2, including $4.7 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year and $11.7 million in supplemental funding for implementation
- $1.2 million for expanded Secretary of State staffing at seven mobile offices in communities with barriers to access
Michigan LCV’s Board Meeting
Here’s a quick recap from Michigan LCV’s first board meeting of the year.
Attorney General Dana Nessel joined the team in Lansing and talked about election policies for the state.
Michigan LCV’s Voting Rights Organizer, Rodney Austin had this to say:
Resilience starts with law and legislation, Attorney General Nessel embodies that spirit with all that she does. This is the Democracy and Freedoms that we ALL fight for.”
Michigan LCV Celebrates Black History
February 24 marked a special occasion for Michigan LCV. Our team was in full attendance to celebrate and acknowledge Black resistance and members of the Black Caucus.
The Black History Month program was off the hook! We all know that water should be something that nobody would ever have to worry about in their lives and they’re [Michigan LCV] making certain that we won’t. I just say thank you, continue the good work and I’m ready to partner with you from this day forward, blessings.” — Representative Stephanie Young
Youth Recognition Luncheon
On February 17, the DFA team joined our partners at When You Vote I Win for a luncheon for high school students entitled “An Afternoon with Two Original Foot Soldiers.” We were able to hear sisters Alice Moore and Denise Holt share their stories of walking the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma in 1965, connect with partner organizations, and speak with youth about our programming and the importance of voting and our democracy.
We also want to use this space to acknowledge Clare Allenson. After establishing Michigan LCV’s Democracy For All team and leading our voting rights and elections work for the past two years, DFA Director Clare Allenson will be stepping aside this month and DFA Voting Rights Manager Brooke Harris will step into the Director role.
While we are sad to see Clare go, our team is excited to continue working to ensure all Michiganders can make their voices heard in our democracy with Brooke leading the way. Thank you, Clare, for your visionary leadership and expertise in helping create the pro-democracy powerhouse that is our Democracy For All team!
