Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

I’m sure you banged some questionable people yourself.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

An unpunished coup is a training exercise.

I conferred with the team and they all agree – still not tired of winning!

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

If you’re pissed about Biden’s speech, he was talking about you.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

I’d like to think you all would remain faithful to me if i ever tried to have some of you killed.

Narcissists are always shocked to discover other people have agency.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

We are aware of all internet traditions.

T R E 4 5 O N

I was promised a recession.

“Cheese and Kraken paired together for the appetizer trial.”

Spilling the end game before they can coat it in frankl luntz-approved dogwhistles.

He imagines himself as The Big Bad, Who Is Universally Feared… instead of The Big Jagoff, Who Is Universally Mocked.

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

Imperialist aggressors must be defeated, or the whole world loses.

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

One of our two political parties is a cult whose leader admires Vladimir Putin.

Republicans in disarray!

Let there be snark.

You are here: Home / Political Fundraising / Political Fundraising 2021-22 / Promote the Vote 2022 – Ask Them Anything!

Promote the Vote 2022 – Ask Them Anything!

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We introduced Promote the Vote 2022 last Thursday, and today we have Talyce Murray with us tonight to tell us more about the coalition and to answer questions.

November is coming up fast!

Promote the Vote 2022 is a Michigan group working to make elections more fair, more secure, more convenient, and more accessible.  For everyone!

Promote the Vote is a Michigan-based coalition of organization and individuals fighting to protect the vote in that critical state.  These organizations have a track-record of success.  In 2018, they worked together to pass one ballot initiative that provided equal access to absentee voting and Election Day registration and another ballot initiative that established Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Promote the Vote 2022 has carefully-drafted a new ballot initiative to amend the Michigan Constitution to ensure all voters in Michigan can make their voice heard and that their votes are counted.  They need enough signatures to qualify for the Ballot by July, and they need boots on the ground to promote the initiative in advance of the November election, assuming they get enough signatures to qualify.

If it passes, we can worry a lot less about election subversion in Michigan.  And the people in Michigan will have elections that are more fair, more secure, more convenient, and more accessible.  For everyone!

Here’s where we come in.

In keeping with our goal of supporting boots on the ground organizations – particularly those who direct their efforts to underserved communities – we want to raise $25,000 for an outreach project targeted toward underserved communities.

Here’s the post from Thursday, in case you missed it!

Medium Cool with BGinCHI – Michigan!

Talyce will be here with us for about 90 minutes on this thread tonight.

Note the date change:  We are having a zoom with Promote the Vote 2022 tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7pm on Tuesday, April 19.

If you are interested in the zoom, please mention it in the post and then be sure to send me an email so I can send you the zoom link.  (send email to my nym at balloon-juice.com)

Reader Interactions

32Comments

  3. 3.

    H.E.Wolf

    This is just a quick fly-by (busy Monday) to say thank you for stopping in this evening, and to wish you and your organization well!

  4. 4.

    WaterGirl

    @Promote the Vote 2022: Great!

    I think everyone is probably interested in learning more about the Promote the Vote ‘22 organization and the coalition – who’s in it, etc.

    And maybe you can tell us about all the great things you guys did in 2018, especially regarding redistricting.

  5. 5.

    Promote the Vote 2022

    @WaterGirl:

    • The Promote the Vote 2022 ballot initiative protects our fundamental right to vote and ensures Michigan elections are free from intimidation and interference.
    • By signing the petition to place Promote the Vote 2022 on the November ballot, we can protect the ability of every eligible Michigander to vote regardless of their political party and enhance the integrity of our elections.
    • Promote the Vote 2022 enjoys broad support. Early supporters include, but not limited to, the National Network of Arab American Communities (NNAAC), ACLU of Michigan, APIA Vote – Michigan, League of Women Voters of Michigan, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, NAACP Michigan State Conference, Promote the Vote, Voters Not Politicians.
  7. 7.

    Promote the Vote 2022

    @Almost Retired: A few of the things this initiative will do is:

    • Promote the Vote 2022 will enhance the security of our elections by guaranteeing elections in Michigan are determined based on the votes of Michigan citizens.
    • Promote the Vote 2022 ensures Michigan has a statewide system for voters to track their absentee ballot.
    • Modernizing and updating our voting systems will ensure every vote is counted and every eligible voter can do so without harassment, intimidation, or interference.
    • The common-sense solutions in the Promote the Vote 2022 ballot initiative will make voting more convenient and accessible, especially for working parents, members of our military, elderly voters, voters with disabilities, and rural voters who live far from the polls.
    • The measure would guarantee Michigan voters serving in the military have the time they need to return their ballot and make their voices heard in each election.
    • The Promote the Vote 2022 ballot initiative would create nine days of early in-person voting ensuring eligible voters have the power to choose when to vote and how to vote.
    • The Promote the Vote 2022 initiative would also ensure all eligible voters across Michigan have equal access to postage and a secure dropbox to return their ballot.
  8. 8.

    Al Nichols

    Can you describe the problem more?  For example, what is the specific threat to voting rights in Michigan?

  9. 9.

    Promote the Vote 2022

    @Al Nichols:

    • The right to have your voice heard and vote counted regardless of political party is fundamental to our democracy and should be enshrined in our constitution rather than leaving voting rights and elections to the Lansing politicians or political judges.
    • The Promote the Vote 2022 ballot initiative will enhance the integrity and security of our elections by modernizing how we administer elections to ensure every vote counts.
    • Promote the Vote 2022 will enhance the security of our elections by guaranteeing elections in Michigan are determined based on the votes of Michigan citizens.
  10. 10.

    Almost Retired

    Here in California, a lot of our initiatives operate as state Constitutional amendments, which makes them less vulnerable to legislative chicanery.  Is that the case with the Promote the Vote ballot initiative?

  11. 11.

    Sure Lurkalot

    How does your initiative work against the Republican petition that will give the legislature power to enact voting restrictions without the governor’s power to veto?

  12. 12.

    WaterGirl

    The Balloon Juice contributions will be targeted for a specific purpose:  outreach to underserved communities.

    Can you talk about some of these communities, and the mechanics of signature gathering and relationship building (door-to-door, attendance at target community events, etc.

  14. 14.

    Promote the Vote 2022

    @WaterGirl: We have great partners across the state that are dedicated to serving specific communities. To name some of our partners, Emgage-MI, Equality Michigan, NAACP-MI, and Detroit Disability Power.

    We are in the middle of our signature collection phase, and working to ensure that we do active outreach and conversations with trusted messengers in the community. Our partners will be going to places of faith, community events, door to door, and their own community programming to meet people where they are to talk about the importance of Promote the Vote 2022 and how to get involved.

  15. 15.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Welcome, Talyce! I’m doing final packing for a move so will be in and out, but as a former Michigander I’m especially interested in your initiatives and proud to be a small part of Balloon Juice’s financial support of Promote the Vote 2022.

    WaterGirl, if I’m not completely zonked out by then, I’d like to be part of the Zoom tomorrow, and will send you an email to that effect.

  17. 17.

    WaterGirl

    Hey Talyce,

    We feel really good about our funds targeting the outreach to underserved communities because that is one of our priorities.  Can you talk a little bit about how that will work?

    I know you mentioned that once we have raised $15,000 you will be able to get started with the fellowship.  Can you explain the concept a bit more?

    These volunteers/workers/paid fellows will be reaching out directly to your contacts in the various communities themselves, yes?  Can you talk more about that.

  18. 18.

    Promote the Vote 2022

    @WaterGirl: So the plan is that we will bring on 4-5 part-time organizers to conduct voter outreach and signature collection in their respective communities now until the middle of July.

    We will be looking to bring on people in various regions of the state that represents various protected classes. They will be responsible for connecting with Michiganganders in their region and their communities around Promote the Vote 2022 and how it will specifically impact the community. For example, if we bring on a fellow focused on the veteran community they might uplift the aspect of the policy that will grant military and overseas voters the right to have their vote counted if postmarked by election day.

  19. 19.

    Almost Retired

    I thought it was awesome that your coalition got non-partisan redistricting done through an earlier initiative.  The combination of squashing gerrymandering in the earlier initiative and amending the constitution to protect voting rights in this effort means that we can all worry a little less about democracy in Michigan in the future (although I promise, we still will)!  Are you using the same campaign model you used successfully in the redistricting initiative in this effort?

  20. 20.

    Promote the Vote 2022

    @Almost Retired: Our organization worked closely in 2018 where Michiganders overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure in 2018 that extended voting rights, including: no-reason absentee voting, in-person registration up to and on Election Day with proof of residency, straight-ticket voting and more.

     

    The redistricting vote that occurred that same year was championed by a different organization. That organization is also part of our core partners for the Promote the Vote 2022 initative.

  21. 21.

    Almost Retired

    I assume that the petition signatories have to be registered voters, right?  If they’re not, would the volunteers and paid fellows be able to register voters on the spot?  If so, that would be an enormous additional benefit to these efforts.  How does that work?

  22. 22.

    phdesmond

    it’s my busy season for work, so i kinda just skimmed and donated.

    good luck and best results in the effort to safeguard the vote!

  23. 23.

    Promote the Vote 2022

    @Almost Retired:

    Yes, the only people that are able to sign the petition are registered Michigan voters. In Michigan, many organizations have worked hard to ensure that we have a high voter registration rate.

     

    However, if someone is not registered to vote or needs to update their registration they are able to do so online. If they have a MI state ID or driver’s license they can register online and immediately after sign the Promote the Vote 2022 petition.

  24. 24.

    WaterGirl

    So let’s say we’re able to raise the $25,000 and you guys are able to hire 5 fellows from various underserved communities…

    They will help gather signatures and register voters on the spot.  Are there other ways that involvement in this will benefit those communities?

  25. 25.

    Almost Retired

    @Promote the Vote 2022:   I assume some people in underserved communities don’t necessarily have access to the internet, or the technological sophistication to register themselves on-line (my 88 year-old mother, for example).  Can the canvassers/volunteers register them on the spot with their own phones?

  26. 26.

    Promote the Vote 2022

    @WaterGirl: Yes, they will be able to conduct outreach to organizations that are focused on serving those communities. The outreach that they conduct will vary based on the community they are part of and serving. But in addition to signature collection and voter outreach, they will serve as trusted messenger

  27. 27.

    Promote the Vote 2022

    @Almost Retired:

    Yes, community members are able to register to vote online using the phone/tablet of the canvasser/fellow. Those in the field are knowledgeable on how to register voters and walk them through the petition.

  28. 28.

    Promote the Vote 2022

    Okay, I have to log off for a little while here. I will return around 8:30pm EST to answer any other questions that come in.

     

    Thank you all for supporting Promote the Vote 2022 and voting rights in Michigan.

  29. 29.

    Another Scott

    Thanks for all you’re doing, Talyce.

    It’s a crime that something as fundamental as people being able to freely choose their leaders – and have their choices be counted – is so difficult. And that’s because a political party has decided that – rather than actually winning more votes – they want to stay in power by picking their voters and excluding those who disagree from participating in this bedrock right.

    Donated.

    Thanks, WG (and JC), for making this possible.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  30. 30.

    Caphilldcne

    I donated last week. As a former Michigander I can only hope you are able to get this enacted and ensure voting rights for all in Michigan. Thank you for your work!

  31. 31.

    meander

    This question is a bit late, but here goes:  Is there any discussion among Democrats about using a ballot initiative to get rid of Michigan’s ridiculous “Override the Governor’s veto with a bunch of signatures and a majority vote of each house” law/amendment/whatever?  Can a ballot initiative even get rid of it?

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