Promote the Vote Update

Thank you to all of our members who have been collecting signatures for Promote the Vote 2022. Expanding the work of Proposition 3 from 2018, Promote the Vote is an effort to enshrine basic, commonsense voting rights into the Michigan Constitution. Please sign a petition if you haven't yet done so! Contact Karen Legault with questions about signing or circulating a petition:

You can read more about Promote the Vote on their website and read specific petition language here. 

In a slight departure from articles directly related to the Great Lakes, here is an article on approaches to fixing the massive lead water pipe and crumbling water processing infrastructure in Michigan. If not addressed eventually it will affect the water quality of the Great Lakes.

Five fixes for Michigan’s drinking water woes – Great Lakes Now

Donate Online to the League of Women Voters GGRA

Did you know that you can make an online donation to the League of Women Voters of the Greater Grand Rapids Area?  

This month, please consider making an impact right here in our community to Empower Voters and Defend Democracy by donating today.

Public Voting Machine Testing (August Primary)

Look out for information mid-June or July about observing voting machine testing. Our hope is for members to witness this thorough, public testing process to see for themselves--and be able to share with others--this aspect of election security. Dates will be announced when jurisdictions set their test dates.

Meet Joan Long, your fellow League member and volunteer extraordinaire. For this spotlight, Joan shares her journey to the LWV and what it means to her. Thank you, Joan - you are an inspiration! 

I have come to learn that my story is similar to many others that I have come to know as I have become more politically aware. Prior to 2016, I had only voted sporadically - mostly only in the presidential election or when there was a school millage in Northview Public Schools which is where my four children (now all adults) attended. One of the main reasons I didn’t vote more often was that the elections were held on a weekday, and not only was I often working a 10-hour day as a nurse, it would also be a matter of needing to arrange for childcare since I was a single parent of four. 

Regardless of the fact that it was a hardship to vote, in the business of life, I often did not do the research into the candidates and the issues. 

Then the election of 2016 happened and I was shocked and devastated with the results. I had plans in place to retire in January of 2020 after 43 years as a Registered Nurse at Spectrum Health. I vowed that the first 11 months of my retirement would be dedicated to doing everything I could to prevent the re-election of Donald. I started with writing postcards with an organization called Postcards to Voters - I have literally handwritten and mailed thousands of postcards for various candidates and Get Out the Vote postcards throughout the country. I also joined with Voters Not Politicians in canvassing door to door for Prop 2. I joined a group called Contest Every Race which researched local elections throughout the country to place and support Democratic Candidates. I also volunteered with the Kent County Dems and helped with district organizing to recruit volunteers to canvas and write postcards for local elections. I also researched the League of Women Voters and at the time there was not a Grand Rapids Chapter, so I listened in to Kalamazoo meetings when I was able. I was able to attend some of the voter registration/education events that were taking place in various areas in the Grand Rapids Area. I became an active member shortly after the Grand Rapids Chapter was founded. 

Then the election of 2020 took place and Joe Biden won. I was ecstatic and thought my retirement and winery tours could begin as soon as Covid was under control. And then January 6th happened and I honestly feel that our democracy is more at stake than ever, so I feel I need to postpone most of those winery tours until we get as many people to vote as possible. While I am active with the Kent County Dems, I truly am most proud of the work I do with the LWV. I respect the non-partisan aspect of the League, the goal to promote voter registration and education for everyone. I strongly feel we need to get as many young people as possible registered and aware of the candidates and ballot initiatives so that they can cast their vote that will affect their future. One of your questions is, What gives me hope? One of the schools that I worked with for the High School Challenge was Rockford High School. I worked with Christina Purvis who is the teacher advisor for the Women Awareness and Empowerment Club. She guided her students in the group to lead in the voter registration/education events. What gives me hope? There were several male students in this group supporting their female classmates!

The Kent County Board of Commissioners wants to hear from as many people as possible about this one-time infusion of funds that will have a lasting impact on residents and businesses in Kent County. To obtain this feedback, the community engagement process includes:

• an interactive website,
• three community forums (see below),
• a 10 minute online survey closing June 24, and
• an online form to submit ideas or proposals closing July 15.

Kent County is hosting a series of meetings where members of the community can learn more about ARPA funding eligibility and priorities. The meetings will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the following locations:

• Thursday, June 2 ∙ Kent County Health Department ∙ 700 Fuller Ave. NE ∙ Grand Rapids, MI 49503 ∙ This event will be livestreamed on the County’s Facebookpage. 
• Monday, June 6 ∙ Rockford High School, Creative Teaching and Learning Center ∙ 4100 Kroes St NE ∙ Rockford, MI 49341
• Wednesday, June 8 ∙ Gaines Charter Township ∙ 8555 Kalamazoo Ave SE ∙ Caledonia, MI 49316

June
June 1: Pride Month begins

June 4: 103-year anniversary of US Senate passing 19th Amendment

June 5: World Environment Day

June 6: Monthly LWVGGRA Board Meeting 7:00 pm via Zoom

June 19: Juneteenth

June 20: Father's Day

June 23-26: LWV National Convention | Denver, Colorado | In person and virtual options are available for participants 

July 
July 11: Promote the Vote signatures due by 5:00 pm