October 13, 2022 – 26 days to go!
Check out (and share) miVoter.org
Thank you to everyone who’s shared miVoter.org or sent us feedback on our new phone-friendly voter site! One member wrote:
“Thank you so so much for this info! At every election I approach anyone I think might know something about the issues, requesting exactly this kind of info, and usually end up leaving at least some down-ballot items blank because I have no idea who’s the “right” candidate and haven’t found anyone to help me out. I know I’m not the only one with this problem and I’m going to pass this message along to all my Democratic friends in both Ann Arbor and Empire. My husband and I have our absentee ballots sitting on our desks waiting for us to try and dig up exactly this info and somehow thanks to you it magically appeared, just in time! :)”
Just go to mivoter.org and enter your name, birth year/month and zip code, so we can find your districts. Magically, the Democratic Party’s recommendations for your specific ballot will pop up. You can then use the list to fill out your ballot or click on the links to get more in-depth info on the candidates, judicial races, and proposals.
Check out this quick video by Amir for America!
New Standout Prop 2 Content for Social Feeds
With so many inspirational candidates and human stories on the ballot, it can be easy for voters to miss how critical Prop 2 is to saving democracy in Michigan. To help you cut through the noise, we’ve made this set of quirky videos all about Prop 2,drawn right from Promote the Vote messaging but looking like nothing else in your feed.
Produced by Amir Baghdadchi, host of the Moth StorySLAM in Ann Arbor, each video can be used on its own, and orgs can directly post the file or share from an ally. Feel free to add any captions you wish. No attributions or credits needed.
More videos are being added each week, so you can count on fresh content to keep Prop 2 in the minds of your audiences. Check back with the folder for new posts, or follow along on instagram @amirforamerica!
Dixon, DePerno, Karamo are ‘threats to democracy’
The Washington, DC-based Defend Democracy Project describes itself as having the singular objective “that American voters determine the outcome of elections.” They work in Michigan as well as seven other states. According to Michigan Advance, they have issued a new report that sites the top of the Republican ticket as the “top threats to democracy statewide.”
Their analysis of the statements and actions of GOP gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon, Secretary of State nominee Kristina Karamo and Attorney General nominee Matt DePernon demonstrates that the three have worked not only to overturn the will of the electorate, but also to lead a “scorched earth campaign to consolidate power over elections for decades to come.” Reinforcing this report, the Detroit News reported last month that DePerno said he had labs where he could “show off how to stuff ballots.”
Rebecca Parks, the research director for Defend Democracy, states that “by our count, there are 11 people on the ballot for either statewide elected office or for the House in Michigan this fall, who are some flavor of election conspiracy theorists, and that doesn’t even include getting into state legislative races where we know that Trump had a pretty heavy hand in the primary in terms of endorsing really extremist candidates, or county sheriffs (who) are also surprisingly a big source of election conspiracy theories. So, this goes all the way down the ticket. It’s not just the top.”
How to Fight a Disinformation Campaign
1) Acknowledge what the disinformants get right. This will set the stage for a more civil exchange.
2) Explain why the other parts of the story are not true. False narratives must be corrected using evidence and data, but remember that people are mostly influenced by emotion, so include examples/stories/quotes related to the disinformation.
3) Reveal the motivations behind the disinformation campaign. Most disinformation campaigns have a goal in mind – primarily motivated by power or money. Try to determine what is driving the disinformants and then expose them.
4) Perform an “accusation audit.”Whatever you say in response to a disinformation campaign, be assured that the disinformants will fire back. If you’re feeling particularly bold, publicly state in advance what the disinformants might say next.
5) Stay cool, calm, and collected. This might be the hardest part, but remember that your audience is the general public, and it is difficult to believe somebody — even if they are 100% correct — when they are shouting or name-calling. So remain calm.SOURCE:American Council on Science and Health
“There is truth and there are lies. Lies told for power and for profit. And each of us has a duty and responsibility, as citizens, as Americans, and especially as leaders – leaders who have pledged to honor our Constitution and protect our nation — to defend the truth and to defeat the lies.”
– President Joe Biden
RSVP for Reception with Reps Debbie Dingell and Jamie Raskin
UM Art Museum now campus election hub!
UMMA is partnering with local, regional, and national organizations, designers, and artists to transform museum spaces in the name of civic participation and engagement.
In partnership with the Ann Arbor City Clerk’s Office, the Creative Campus Voting Project is collaborating with UMMA to turn your art museum into an election hub where you can:
- Register to vote
- Get your ballot
- Access voting resources, and
- Celebrate participation
Ann Arbor residents are invited to stop by and a helpful guide will walk you through the entire process!
In addition, visiting artist Philippa Hughes will host a dynamic and deeply engaging series of experimental social events across UMMA’s galleries, creating space for authentic and honest conversations between politically diverse people. This Feel Good Friday – Vote event will be held Friday, Oct. 14 from 7-10 p.m.
Learn more here!
Washtenaw County Convention held Nov. 28th
Electing 2022-24 WCDP County Committee
Pursuant to the rules and bylaws of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party (WCDP) and the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), the WCDP will hold its November County Convention beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 28th via Zoom. To register for this County Convention, click this link.
At this convention, we will elect members to the 2022-2024 WCDP County Committee. The number of positions to be elected must be equal to twice the number of Democratic nominees for county office, the state legislature, and congress in the most recent primary election.
While 2/3 of the Committee will be elected at the Convention, the remaining 1/3 of the Committee will be comprised of those individuals who were nominated at the most recent primary election for county office, the state legislature, and Congress.
Getting out Voter Guides
Some 78,000 copies of the eight-page guide will be hand-delivered on walkable routes in Washtenaw County. Another roughly 40,000 guides are being mailed to less walkable areas with busy roads or more spread out homes.
“We need to educate Democratic voters and get them to vote the entire ticket,” said Jennifer Fairfield, chair of the Western Washtenaw Dems and co-creator of the guide.
• No-knock drop offs • Everythingprovided • About 1 to 2 hours
Sign up to get out the VOTER GUIDE
2022 Online Democratic Voter Guide
MORE THINGS TO DO!
Commissioner & Judicial Candidate Forum
Thursday, October 13th at 6:00pm
Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center
4135 Washtenaw, Ann Arbor, MI
The local chapters of the Divine Nine sororities and fraternities will host a County Commissioners Candidates Forum and a Judicial Candidates Forum, with moderators Crystal Campbell and Taryn Willis. The forum is sponsored in part by a grant awarded to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated®, Rho Delta Zeta Chapter, by Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute and in partnership with the When We All Vote campaign.
Registration here if you are a 2022 candidate wishing to participate as a panelist, or if you’d like to set up a display table!
Meet & Greet Coffee for Susan Schmidt
Sunday, October 16, 11am-1pm
Learn more about Candidate Susan Schmidt
Held outdoors if the weather permits, otherwise it’ll be indoors.
523 4th St. in Ann Arbor
Susan is a retired AAPS Special Education teacher who was on the school board in East Lansing 20 years ago, including being elected President. This event is sponsored by Dan Ezekiel with co-sponsors Jeff Gaynor and Jean Henry.
Fundraiser for Sue Shink w/ Sen. Mallory McMorrow
Tuesday, Oct. 25th 5:30-7pm
Please register here
Address provided upon RSVP
Join State Senate Candidate Sue Shink in welcoming Senator Mallory McMorrow as we work together to flip the Michigan State Senate after 40 years of Republican control! Meet Mallory, a Crain’s Detroit Business’s 40 Under 40, and hear about her response to the slanderous GOP fundraising appeal that went viral and earned her a call from President Biden.
Election Challengers, Voter Hotline volunteers needed
Election challengers advocate for voters at the polls. They observe the process and, when necessary, intervene to be sure that all legitimate voters can cast votes that will be counted. You do not have to be a registered Michigan voter for this position. You can work the Voter Protection Hotline on election day from home—or wherever you are. You will field questions from polling places by phone and relay them to the appropriate lawyers and experts as necessary.
Another volunteer opportunity that you can do remotely. You will work in the weeks before the election to help voters whose completed absentee ballots have been rejected by the clerk. Your job is to notify the voter that the ballot has been rejected and help them make the changes necessary to have their vote count.
For complete information on all volunteer positions and to sign up for the online training, learn more here.
See more at Mobilize or our calendar
Event to share? Submit it!
All Hands On Deck
The Big Lie MI GOP has told us who they are and what they’ll do if they retain the Michigan House and Senate.
You fought hard for fairer districts in 2018, and voted like hell in 2020 to stop Trump. Let’s #FlipLansingBlue, together!
Pick a candidate, a proposal, or a cause.
You’d be amazed what an hour or two can mean to people fighting the good fight.
From the statehouse to the school board, every race is going to matter. Making change starts with winning elections. You know what to do!
Show out for Democrats!
Get signs & more at the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market Saturday mornings.
- Whitmer Gilchrist Nessel Benson: suggested $10 donation
- Black Lives Matter: $5
- Whitmer Gilchrist on white: only $5
Or on the eastside!
At the WCDP Ypsilanti office sidewalk sale! Check (preferred) or cash only. Call to check stock: 734-879-0556. Open Wed and Fri 4-6pm & Sat and Sun 1-3pm
Or on the westside!
At the Savage home 2367 Baker Road, Dexter, MI. Self-serve kiosk to right of garage. Put your check to “WCDP” (preferred) or cash in box & please fill out FEC form.
Also, watch out for cats!
The Final Word
A bit about Biden’s recent economic triumphs!
After struggling to get his agenda passed in the last eighteen months, Biden has amassed one legislative victory after another in recent weeks.
According to Heather Cox Richardson’s newsletter, because of his legislation, “businesses do indeed seem to be coming home” to America, rather than operating overseas. She cites Honda, LG Energy Solution, Toyota, Ford, General Motors and Sellantis as companies moving major operations to the US, all part of the retooling necessary to build electric vehicles.
Technology is another segment of our economy which is revving up its operations in the US: Corning is planning a new operation to build fiber optic cables, and AT&T is building a new fiber internet network. And Qualcomm, Micron and Intel are also planning to locate their chip-manufacturing operations in the US.
