WCDP News: Early Voting Starts on Saturday

The Presidential Primary is February 27

It’s 2024 and you know what to do!

Think voting in the Presidential primary isn’t important? Think again. With a strong turnout in support of President Biden in the primary, we can shock the pundits and help flip the tired narrative that we’re unenthusiastic. Let’s turn the table with turnout!

Only 2 Days Until Early Voting Starts!

Voting Early: If you are not set up to vote absentee, you can also vote early in person, thanks to your vote for Promote the Vote (Prop 2) in 2022 & thanks to Michigan Dems putting it into law in 2023.Voting changes things: be a voter in every election!

Early, in-person voting begins February 17th and runs for 9 days.

All sites will be open from Saturday, February 17 through Sunday, February 25, including on the weekends.
Voters must visit an Early Voting site assigned to the city or township you live in.
23 cities and townships are participating in the Washtenaw County-Coordinated Early Voting Plan.
But the City of Ann Arbor, Milan, Bridgewater Township, & Ypsilanti Township are administering individual Early Voting Plans. Details on early voting for all Washtenaw County voters are at https://www.washtenaw.org/3970/Early-Voting – scroll down to “Individual Jurisdiction Early Voting Plans”

It’s not just the primary!
There are a number of municipal proposals and school millages on the ballot. Just like you did in 2020 and 2022, be a voter and take a friend. Every vote matters. On every ballot. In every election.

WCDP Black Caucus Meeting

Next Saturday, February 24

The WCDP Black Caucus will host its February General Meeting on Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 10 am to noon. Full details on our calendar .

Special guest speakers will be MI State Representative Jimmie Wilson Jr. (House District 32) and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI District 6).

A few of our Black Caucus members will also be recognized for their longtime service and advocacy within the community. Hope you can join us!

Saturday, March 2 WCDP Meeting

Save the date!

In person at 4135 Washtenaw Ave., 48108, and via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87180235164

Why is rent so high in Washtenaw County? And what are Dems doing to help?

9:15 – 9:45 – Social time – get to know your Democratic neighbors and enjoy breakfast treats!

9:45 – 10:30 – Party business:

What we’re doing, how you can be part of it, updates from state & local electeds, DC Update from Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
Opportunities to serve on township boards, and on city and county commissions across Washtenaw County, with Democratic activists and electeds Lonnie Scott (former Executive Director of Progress Michigan) and Eric Roberts, Master Municipal Clerk and candidate for Lodi Township Clerk)

10:30 – noon – Why’s rent so high in Washtenaw County? And what are Dems doing to help?

Panel Chair: Zack Farah – Chair, Ann Arbor Renters Commission
Jennifer Hall – Executive Director Ann Arbor Housing Commission
Cynthia Harrison – Ann Arbor City Council
Jason Macijewski (invited) – County Commissioner, District 1 (representing both Chelsea and Dexter)
Carrie Rheingans – MI Representative, HD47 (representing Western Washtenaw and Jackson County)
Justin Yuan – McKinley Tenants Association & Ann Arbor Tenants Union

What Have Dems Done For You Lately?

“I share frustration with the way the media has covered Biden’s age and treated it akin to Trump’s dangerous demagoguery and rampant criminality. But in the end, the press will not change their stripes. . . . No matter how many times we tweet at them, email them, or threaten to withhold our subscription dollars. If there was no change after 2016, it will never come.” That’s Dan Pfeiffer, senior strategy and communications advisor to President Obama, writing in his free substack newsletter this week.

But here’s the hope: “The frontlines of politics will not be on Facebook but in group chats, text chains, and personal conversations that occur with our friends and family.” Pfeiffer writes “The Message Box” to empower us with the messaging we need.

This week Tuesday, 142 laws passed by our MI Democratic legislature last year took effect – including packages expanding the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit to lift children out of poverty; Right-to-Work repeal and prevailing wage restoration; expansion to Michigan’s anti-discrimination law to provide more robust protection for LGBTQ citizens; “red flag” legislation allowing court orders to prevent people posing a risk to themselves or others from possessing a gun and legislation banning domestic abusers from owning guns, and much more.

Among the top achievements, the Michigan Clean Energy and Jobs Act. Nick Dodge, from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, says these laws position “Michigan as a national leader on transitioning to the buildout of clean, renewable energy.” Not only will the laws “result in lot of clean energy job creation, lowering costs with affordable, reliable clean energy.” Our legislators built in worker protections, “putting workers at the forefront of our clean energy boom here in Michgan, making sure that there are things like prevailing wage, project labor agreements.” Listen to the rest on the podcast A Republic if You Can Keep It, starting about 21 minutes in – and spread the good word.

Opportunities to help keep Michigan Blue

Trainings

Rust Belt Rising campaign training
WeROC and Moses Action – Organizing 101 March 9th 9:30am-4pm (lunch and refreshments provided). Second Baptist Church, 850 Red Oak Road, 48103. Registration required. Sign up here.

Jobs

Volunteers Wanted!

WCDP is seeking graphic designers and a paralegal or two to join our team!

We’re looking for designers who can create eye-catching, inviting, and accessible event announcements, sign-up sheets, and invitations that can be used across multiple platforms. Knowledge of 508 compliance requirements a plus.

We also need occasional paralegal assistance to help us chase down permissions for graphics, quotes, and other content.

Let us know you’re interested!

The new Literacy Coalition of Washtenaw County: March 10 Open House

WCDP’s January monthly meeting focused on the literacy crisis in Washtenaw County. On March 10, 1 – 5 pm, the new Washtenaw Literacy Coalition will hold its first Open House at the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College. Free, but register to save your seat!

Meantime, this outstanding article from Concentrate media features outstanding work by our neighbors and colleagues to help children read.

Become a WCDP Candidate Partner!

The WCDP fundraising committee is now seeking candidate partners!

Democratic campaigns can get linked on our website, benefit from our email blasts, join us on social media, and place an ad in our website ‘ad book’ reaching over 3,000 Washtenaw County Democrats. This opportunity is open to all Democratic candidates and does not constitute an endorsement from the WCDP.

To sign up, visit our Candidate Partners ActBlue page.

Coffee with the Congresswoman

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51) will be visiting Ann Arbor on Friday, 02/16 to emphasize the importance of the election this year in advance of the February 27th Presidential Primary.

She’ll be at the Ann Arbor Coffee Roasting Company – 324 State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 from 11 AM to 11:45 AM to meet students and the community.

Meet your representatives ☕

State Senator Jeff Irwin (SD15) will host a coffee hour at the Clinton Township Public Library, 100 Brown St, Clinton, MI 49236, on Saturday, February 17 at 11:00 AM. For more information phone (517) 373-2406 or email SenJIrwin@senate.michigan.gov

State Rep Jimmie Wilson Jr., (HD32) will host a coffee hour at the Ypsilanti District Library, Superior Branch (1900 N. Harris Road, Superior Charter Township., MI 48198) on Saturday, February 24 from 1 to 2 PM. If you wish to be emailed the Zoom link, please email his office at jimmiewilson@house.mi.gov. For updates on this event, please follow Jimmie on Facebook at facebook.com/StateRepJimmieWilsonJr.