Three Things Thursday: April 6, 2023

Dear Michigan LCV Family, 

Welcome to the April 6, 2023 edition of Three Things Thursday!  This week we cover the upcoming May elections, EPA’s proposed PFAS drinking water standards, and our new “Fund a Project” campaign. Let’s jump in! 

1. Getting ready to vote in Michigan’s May elections

Our vote is our voice. On Tuesday May 2nd, communities in 68 counties across the state will hold elections – the first elections of 2023! With less than a month until Election Day, it’s important to know about all of the resources and voting options available so you can make a plan to vote, and the Michigan LCV Democracy for All team is here to help. 

 

If you want to dig in a bit deeper to see what’s happening in your own backyard, please click here.

While making a plan to vote, it’s important to check your voter registration, find your polling place, and register to vote if you are not registered already.

Michigan voters can register to vote:

• Online at Michigan.gov/VoterRegistration
• At a Secretary of State branch office
• At your city or township clerk’s office or your county clerk’s office
• At any state agency that provides public assistance or services to people with disabilities
• By mailing in a completed voter registration application postmarked at least 15 days before Election Day
• Through a voter registration drive

Since Michigan now proudly offers same-day registration, the deadline to register to vote is 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can register to vote in-person on Election Day by visiting your city or township clerk’s office.

NOTE: Given that there is less than a month before the May election, there isn’t enough time to apply for, receive and return your absentee ballot. If you have already applied for and received your absentee ballot, you can return it to your city or township clerk’s office or to a secure drop box in your area to make sure your vote is counted.

Also, absentee ballots for in-person absentee voting became available on Thursday, March 23. You can visit your city or township clerk’s office to vote before election day by filling out an absentee ballot while you are there. If you need to register to vote, you can register and vote in one trip!

If you need information about your clerk, go to MI.gov/vote and click on “Your Voter Information”.  In just a few minutes, you can find all you need about your clerk’s hours and location. 

This is the kind of information our amazing Democracy for All team is making available in communities all across the state.  Democracy is NOT a spectator sport! We encourage everyone, everywhere to “get in the game and stay in the game!” As I said, your vote is your voice. Please make sure it’s heard!

2. Proposed PFAS drinking water standards–your voice matters!

In March 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first-ever national drinking water standards for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances. Commonly known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS contamination threatens our drinking water and the chemicals are known to cause cancer, reproductive issues, and other serious health complications. The proposed drinking water standards would set a limit for PFOA and PFOS at four parts per trillion (ppt) and a single, low standard for PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX chemicals.  This is a really big deal. 

Before finalizing the proposed standards, the EPA is accepting input from the public until May 30. There will also be a virtual engagement session for EPA Region 5 – which includes Michigan – on April 19, followed by a public hearing on May 4 where EPA officials will present information and receive comments on the proposed regulations. 

If you would like to make your voice heard, or if anyone in your network is interested in doing so, I invite you to use our easy, informative online action hub to do so. You can click here to send a message to the EPA urging them to enact strong PFAS drinking water standards and protect our health. You can click here to register for the April 19 EPA Region 5 Engagement Session. And, you can click here to register for the May 4 EPA public hearing. 

As I said, the EPA’s proposed first-ever national drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals are a big deal.  It’s a very important step toward addressing the growing PFAS crisis that has impacted the drinking water and the health of communities across Michigan. 

3. Michigan LCV’s new “Fund A Project” campaign

This week, Michigan LCV’s development team rolled out a new campaign called Fund A Project. that will give you the opportunity to power the projects that mean the most to you. 

 

Whether you are most passionate about climate change, safe drinking water, protecting our Great Lakes, or ensuring fair and equal voting rights for all, you can now further support our work and see your impact in tangible ways.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be lifting up one new project a week — giving you a chance to support the priorities you care about and a team that knows how to win. No matter what brings you to this movement, it’s your support that makes this meaningful work possible.

I would be grateful if you would check out the Fund A Project campaign and let me know what you think! 

As always, thank you so much for all you do! Next week is going to be a big week given the MI Healthy Climate Conference in Detroit and the return of the legislature from their two week spring break.  Until then, stay safe, healthy and enjoy the flowers that are beginning to bloom all over the place. 

Onward!

Lisa

P.S.

On a personal front, this week has been very full, including two visits to the Governor’s residence and attending the Sustainable Business Forum of Detroit’s fabulous event featuring University of Michigan President Santa Ono.  

The latter was sponsored by the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute, which sits at the intersection of the Ross School of Business and the School for Environment and Sustainability. Enormous thanks to John Erb and his family for helping establish and sustain the Institute, and to Faculty Director Tom Lyon for his outstanding leadership. If you missed the event you can check it out here.

There is so much to say about both of these phenomenal individuals, but I’ll leave you with this: Both Governor Whitmer and President Ono spoke unabashedly about their commitment to tackling the climate crisis. They understand in a deep, fundamental way how climate is connected to the economy and jobs, to public health and safety, and to equity in our communities.  #leadershipmatters!

Lisa Wozniak and Governor Whitmer, April 3, 2023

U of M President Santa Ono

Telva McGruder, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at General Motors, moderated a wonderful conversation with President Ono following his remarks.