Have you and everyone in your immediate circle signed the Reproductive Freedom and Promote the Vote ballot petitions yet?
We have only two more weeks to protect Reproductive Freedom– and just a little more time for Voting Rights.
THERE IS NOTHING MORE URGENT THAN GETTING THOSE SIGNATURESIf each of us can get 3, or 5, or more, from people we know, combined with the many volunteers who are out there day and night, we will prevail. If we can’t put Reproductive Freedom For All and Promote the Vote on the ballot, and pass them, we will see our state joining the slide into minority rule, amplifying the power of the religious right.
Here shown, at a Women’s Health clinic in Southeast Michigan, is a member of the army arrayed against women’s right to abortion and reproductive health care. This man has been outside the Clinic daily for at least 3 years, with his megaphone and his guns. When these abortion haters are asked by our friends at FEMS FOR DEMS whether they have adopted children, or offered any aid to existing children, they say they don’t have time because this protest is how they will earn their entry to heaven.
So, what to do?
NO, I HAVE NOT SIGNED YET: Sign this Saturday. Look for a table or the clipboards at the Juneteenth Celebrations:
In Ypsi: Ypsilanti’s 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration Find the Voters Not Politicians table in the parking lot behind Puffer Reds (107 Ferris St.) Reproductive Rights will be nearby. Official parking at 301 W. Michigan Ave.11 am–7 pmIn Ann Arbor with the NAACP: Wheeler Park, 200 Depot St, Noon to 6 pm
I HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO READ UP ON WHAT OR WHY I AM SUPPOSED TO SIGN: Read the summary below about how the petition process in Michigan works, along with helpful links for more information.
Understanding the Michigan petition process – Protectors of Equality in Government
The following synopsis of the petition process is provided by Bridge Michigan. Michigan citizens can file a petition with the state government to: · establish a new law · repeal a newly-enacted law through a referendum or · amend the state’s constitution The number of valid signatures required for each petition type is based on the percentage of total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election.
I HAVE SIGNED BOTH PETITIONS:
Pick up a petition that you can take with you to gather signatures from friends, neighbors and co-workers! If you don’t see a time and venue below that works for you, CLICK HERE to see other ongoing times and places. Everyone needs to sign. NO excuses! The RFFA initiative needs help collecting 425,000 signatures by 5 pm July 11 in order to be put on the November ballot. If you need additional help to sign a petition or collect signatures, contact Lisa Jevens at lisajevens@gmail.com or Janet Cannon at waverjanet@gmail.com.
Artisan Market (Kerrytown).
- Sunday, June 19. 11–1:30 pm
Ann Arbor People’s Food Coop. 216 N. Fourth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
- Wednesdays. 4–6 pm
Ann Arbor Farmers Market. RSVP Here. 315 Detroit Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
- Saturdays thru June 25, 9 am–1 pm
Ypsilanti Farmers Market. RSVP Here.16 S Washington St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
- Saturdays thru June 25, 9 am–1 pm
Saline Farmers Market. RSVP Here.100 S Ann Arbor St (Lot #4) Saline, MI 48176
- Saturdays thru June 25, 8 am–noon
Please stay home if you are experiencing Covid symptoms. Wear masks, and respect others’ space. Masks and hand sanitizer available. 1–5 pm and 5:30–7 pm
See all Michigan locations HERE. If one near you is not listed please save this link and check it frequently. It is continually updating as new locations are posted.
Events
Visit the PEG website for the full list and details of Upcoming Events
Monday, June 20, 2022 marks the 2nd Federal observance of Juneteenth. The celebration and commemoration, traditionally observed on the weekend prior, marks the legislative end to slavery in 1865 over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation (1863). To learn more about local connections to this holiday, check out “Our ancestor’s wildest dreams” by PEG’s own Leslie McGraw on p.17 of the June edition of Washtenaw Jewish News.
More details on the official Facebook page HERE. Official parking at 301 W. Michigan Ave.
- Friday, June 17. Juneteenth Dance Jubilee. Ypsi Freighthouse in Depot Town, 100 Market Pl. 8 pm–12 am
- Saturday, June 18. Juneteenth Saturday Festival. Parking lot behind Puffer Red’s 113 W. Michigan Ave 11 am–7 pm
- Saturday, June 18. Kid’s Corner #Blackjoy Washington St. (near the #BLM mural, just west of Puffer Red’s parking lot.) 11am–4 pm
- Sunday, June 19. Juneteenth Worship Experience followed by Comedy Set and Concert. Parking lot behind Puffer Red’s 113 W. Michigan Ave 1:30–5 pm
Tuesday, June 21. State Representative District 32 Candidate ForumLearn about your candidates at this virtual event focused on Racial and Economic Justice issues. Register at www.icpj.org Candidates: Marshall Averill, Roderick Casey, Isaac London, Robyn McCoy, Jimmie Wilson Jr. Moderated by Leslie McGraw. Presented by Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice VOTE Caucus, Protectors of Equality in Government, and WeROC. 7–8:30 pm
Wednesday, June 22. Words to Win Our Future with Anat Shenker-Osorio
In 2020, fellow Michiganders forged their names on official documents attempting to overturn your vote, take your power, erase you from history. What’s holding you back? Learn how to talk about wages, CRT and more in Words to Win Our Future with Anat Shenker-Osorio. Learn how to deliver messages that inspire people to vote for our hopeful vision for the future, expose the opposition’s unrelenting dog whistles, and defuse their attacks on good, effective government. Register for this free Zoom here: https://tinyurl.com/ASO-MI2022. 6 pm
But Wait, There’s more!!
The planning committee for Words to Win Our Future has shared a resource guide in advance of next week’s event. To those attending, look at the first item in the Resource Guide before the event to enhance your experience. The Resource Guide is organized into four parts:
- Prior to the event on June 22, Enjoy Listening to/Reading This
- New to Race-Class Narrative (RCN) Messaging? Start Here!
- Want to Take a Deep Dive Into Race-Class Narrative Messaging? Here are Resources You’ll Find Useful
- Key Points About Using Race-Class Narrative Messaging
Tech Hint: Click the image of the 1st page of the guide to download the entire PDF document for printing and sharing.
Thursday, June 23. County Commission Districts 2, 5, 6 Candidate Forum
Learn about your candidates at this virtual event focused on Racial and Economic Justice issues. Register at www.icpj.org Candidates: Crystal Lyte, Ronnie Peterson, Letitia Sharp, Ricky Jefferson, Annie Somerville. Moderated by Rev. Jeff Harrold Presented by the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice VOTE Caucus, Protectors of Equality in Government, WeROC, and Sigma Rho Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 6–7:30 pm
Things to do
Primary elections are coming soon. Apply to vote absentee.
The primary election is August 2nd so request an absentee ballot today. If you have a Michigan Driver’s License or State ID you can submit an online application at Michigan.Gov/Vote. Learn about the process from the Ann Arbor City Clerk here, (Now being updated for the primary election): https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Pages/Elections.aspx
Residents can apply in person at the City Clerk’s office on the second floor of City Hall, 301 E. Huron St.
Also, the State of Michigan’s “Voter Information Center” has links to check voter registration, check for polling place, apply for an absentee ballot, and more: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us
On topic from Mlive: Michigan Sends Out Absentee Ballots Soon. Here’s How to Get One.
From the article:
- Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will NOT send out absentee ballot applications to every registered Michigan voter this year. That was done in 2020 when more than 7 million applications went out statewide.
- The first voters to get their Aug. 2 primary election ballots will be Michiganders living overseas or in the military. By federal law, local clerks must have those ballots sent out by Saturday, June 18, 45 days before the election.
- The first absentee ballots will go out Thursday, June 23. Any voter, with no excuse required, can request an absentee ballot online or submit a paper application, letter or postcard to their local clerk. Requests “may be returned by hand, via postal mail, fax or email, as long as a signature is visible,” the Secretary of State’s office says.
-From Elizabeth Nelson’s Ann Arbor City Council Update email June 12, 2022
Things to read, watch, and listen to
The “Big Lie” lives on in Michigan
The Big Lie. That’s what some have taken to calling former President Donald Trump’s false assertion that the 2020 election was stolen. But if you thought that all the investigations, reporting, and debunking meant that Trump loyalists had moved on, you’d be sorely mistaken.
Some candidates ground their speeches and messaging in false narratives of a stolen election in 2020. Election deniers are setting their sights on the state office that oversees all voting in Michigan: the Michigan Secretary of State’s office. Listen to the 19 min podcast here. –MichiganRadio.org Stateside
Also! Listen to a 51 min deep dive about how the Big Lie is shaping Michigan’s next election, by journalist Byard Duncan for Reveal: Campaigning on the Big Lie
The “Big Lie” and a host of other medium-sized ones – Protectors of Equality in Government
The Big Lie is absolutely still a driving force for Michigan Republicans. Some candidates ground their speeches and messaging in false narratives of a stolen election in 2020. An analysis of Michigan Republican County Party Facebook pages and groups from November 3, 2020 through June 30, 2021, shows how tightly Michigan Republicans are clinging to the myth of election fraud. The Big Lie is absolutely still a driving force for Michigan Republicans. Read the rhetoric and arm yourself with the truth.
Election Season At a Glance:
The Washtenaw County Clerk’s webpage enumerates in detail the elections, proposals and candidates to date. A few of the important remaining dates are listed below.
What are the remaining election dates in 2022?
- August 2 – State Primary as well as proposals that are not yet “official” – including the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority proposal
- November 8 – State General Election
What are the deadlines for submission of ballot proposals?
- By 5 pm, July 11: Petitions to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the November general election ballot filed with the Secretary of State (425,059 valid signatures required). (168.471)
What are the voter registration deadlines?
Visit MichiganGov/Vote to register
- July 18: Last day to register in any manner other than in-person with the local clerk for the August primary. (168.497)
- July 19: through 8 pm on August 2 In-person registration with local clerk with proof of residency. (168.497)
- October 24: Last day to register in any manner other than in-person with the local clerk for the November general election. (168.497)
- October 25 through 8 pm on November 8: In-person registration with local clerk with proof of residency. (168.497)
Write us at equalityingovinfo@gmail.com if you would like help create our weekly newsletter OR if you would like to be a guest contributor! It’s fun and no ongoing commitment is required.
A special thanks to our newsletter contributors: Janet Cannon, Ellen Halter, Leslie McGraw, Leslie Kamil, Lisa Kamil, Richard Gaeth, Susie Ayer, Bette Cotzin, Bernie Banet, and Chuck Newman for their contributions and help preparing our newsletters. And a special thank you to Ann Arbor City Council’s Elizabeth Nelson for the valuable absentee voter information contained within her email. PEG is a (somewhat) non-partisan volunteer organization whose mission is to assure that our government will treat all Americans with equality and acceptance. PEG’s work is primarily done by recruiting, educating and nurturing supporters for worthy organizations, actions and events that reflect our beliefs. To subscribe to this free weekly newsletter, go to our sign up form by clicking here.