| September 2024 |
| Vol. 71 No. 1 | | |
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LWVMI Legal Updates
Denise Hartsough
Adopt and Amend
The Michigan Supreme Court issued a ruling on July 31, 2024 in Mothering Justice v Attorney General that the Michigan Legislature cannot adopt and then amend voter-initiated laws in the same legislative session. The laws call for raising the minimum wage and mandating paid sick leave for workers. LWVMI filed an amicus brief opposing the actions by the legislature.
The laws as originally adopted will go into effect on February 21, 2025.
- The state minimum wage will increase from $10.33 to $12/hour, overtime must be paid, and the lower minimum wage for tipped employees will phase out.
- Employers must provide employees with paid sick leave—accruing at least 40 hours/year in for companies with fewer than 10 employees, and at least 72 hours/year in companies with 10+ employees.
Recounts
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers advanced a proposed rule change on July 19 that would clarify the purpose of recounts and assure that any recount could have an impact on election results.
The rule change would put into effect sooner some features of a law recently signed by the Governor that will not go into effect by the November 2024 election. Once the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules adopts the rule, it will be in effect. The Republican National Committee is threatening to file a lawsuit if this rule is adopted. The text of the proposed rule is available here.
Redistricting
The US District Court in Michigan (Western District) approved the redrawn State Senate district maps on July 26, 2024. The court had ordered the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) to redo the districts for Southeast Michigan, ruling that the MICRC had too strongly considered race when drawing the maps originally, thus violating the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment.
Barring further lawsuits, this ends the MICRC’s work until it is reconstituted after the 2030 Census.
Denise Hartsough, with thanks to Judy Karandjeff and Sue Smith of LWVMI
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Voter Registration Update
Aimée Bedard
We had a number of opportunities to engage with new and existing voters this summer. It has been fun meeting members of the community and listening to them confirm that they view the League as a trusted source for voter information. In July, we provided information at the Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market, SW Michigan Disability Network’s ADA Celebration, and Crosstown Senior Apartments. Thank you to our volunteers Aedin Clements, Chris Kuthe, Denise Hartsough, Carol Pauly, and Kathy Purnell. At the end of August, we will be tabling at the Kalamazoo Black Business Expo and Western Michigan University’s Bronco Bash to welcome students back to campus.
Be on the lookout for emails requesting volunteers for September and October volunteer opportunities. The League has received many requests to provide voter information and to register new voters leading up to the November Presidential Election. We will again be writing Get Out the Vote postcards targeted to new voters. It is going to be a very busy Fall!! Please reach out to me with any questions.
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LWVUS Update
By Paula Manley
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September 17 is Constitution Day which commemorates the signing of the US Constitution in 1787. Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia proposed Constitution Day as an amendment to the omnibus spending bill of 2004. The act mandated all publicly funded educational institutions and federal agencies provide educational programs on the history of the US Constitution. In May 2005, the US Department of Education announced enactment of the law and said it would apply to any school receiving federal funding of any kind. | |
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Upcoming Candidate Forums
By Chris Kuthe
The LWVKA will be hosting two candidate events in September. The first is:
Kalamazoo County Commissioner Forum
Wednesday, September 11th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Van Deusen room inside the downtown Kalamazoo Public Library
315 South Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI
All commissioner candidates have been invited. Regina Nelson will be the moderator for the evening.
The second event will be:
Meet the Candidates Night
Kalamazoo County Clerk, Treasurer, Sheriff and District 9 Judgeship
Wednesday, September 18th, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
El Concilio/Hispanic American Council
930 Lake St., Kalamazoo, MI
Each candidate will be given three minutes for an opening statement. Then, the candidates will move to tables and be able to speak with voters directly. Please help spread the word about these two events. We hope to see you there.
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Prop 2 Voting Rights Presentations
By Chris Kuthe
LWVKA members have been busy informing voters about their new voting rights created by the passage of Proposition 2 in 2022. This talk and power point presentation has already been given at City View Housing and the Rotary Club. This presentation will also be given for the following groups:
Nation Outside (an organization that works with formerly incarcerated individuals), at Kalamazoo Public Library; Ladies Library Association luncheon;
Spring Valley Crossing Residence; Lee Honors College, WMU;
Coffee Connections at KPL, (Community Engagement for the unhoused); and at the Kalamazoo Literacy Council.
We also now have a video recording of this presentation, which may be viewed on our YouTube channel. If you have a group that could benefit from seeing the information about new voting rights or if you would like to attend one of these presentations please contact Chris Kuthe at ckuthe57@gmail.com
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You're Invited
By Barb Dircks
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There was a full house for the last You’re Invited event on August 29th. Thank you to Aedin Clements for opening your house and being the host. And, welcome to so many new members who joined the group to learn about volunteering, registering voters, picking up hand-outs and participating in an arts and crafts activity led by Aimee Bedard. Information was shared, questions were answered, and everyone had the opportunity to meet new friends and learn how to get involved. We look forward to hosting these learn and share events again! Stay tuned! | |
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Voter Guides
Aedín Clements
Jules and Terry are preparing all the information for Vote411.org and for our printed Voter Guide. We plan to organize the distribution differently this year. We will make a list all delivery sites available in a Sign-up Genius email, which will allow volunteers to select and sign up for their locations. Please watch for those emails shortly!
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Board of Canvassers Observation
By Chris Kuthe
Once again our team of capable observers have helped usher in a certified election. The Kalamazoo County Board of Canvassers certified the primary election on August 14th. This process was observed by our LWVKA team of Madeline Cimini, Regena Nelson, Aedin Clements, Aimee Bedard, Sara Wick, Andrea Allen, Rochelle Habeck, Chris Kuthe and MerriKay Oleen-Burkey. The process went smoothly and we thank this group for their time and efforts in defending democracy.
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E.V.E.N.T.S. Highlights & Issues
By Barb Dircks
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Observer Corps - we have been offered the opportunity to offer feedback on tools and training materials being developed by Now Kalamazoo under Reid Williams' direction for the Scribes project. There are four documents to offer feedback on: the outline for presentations to be given to people who express interest in participating as Scribes; the manual for scribes; the template for reporting from meetings; and the meeting scorecard.
The next general zoom meeting for learning how other leagues is coming at the end of August. Lynn Kochmanski does a great job of connecting everyone. People interested is volunteering in this area are always welcome!
Town Hall Promotion - suggested ways to publicize the Sept. 11th and Set. 18th town halls: press releases to public media (ie. Now Kalamazoo, MLive, etc., communications with college partnerships; additional outreach through co-sponsors (Additional co-sponsor -Beth Berglin with Michigan Education Justice Coalition (MEJC); producing CANVA flyer with a QR code (Thank you Aedin) The sooner the better!
Women's Equality Day – Sharing and promoting all that is done to advance the ERA amendment, as well as interviews that were recorded for posting by Maria Gagnon-Markucki took place. Thank you Maria, and thank you to league members Paula and Ken Manley and Connie Ferguson for sharing their perspectives on women’s equality, past and present!
Voter Services - The importance of promoting early voting was raised (Thank you, Terri McDonald). Ideas were suggested to support spreading the word
The next EVENTS meeting will be on September 21 at 10:30. Contact barbdircks@gmail.com for more information.
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LWVKA Book Group
By Aedín Clements
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We had a lively discussion in July on Rachel Maddow’s Prequel. Anyone who wishes to discuss Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass is welcome to our next meeting at Kazoo Book on Tuesday, September 17. We generally arrive between 6 and 6:30, and the discussion begins at 6:30 p.m.
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Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environmental Justice Committee
By Aedín Clements
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The topic discussed at our August 2nd meeting was the work led by Ruth Caputo to assist and encourage the cities in Kalamazoo County to plant native plants in their parks and other planting areas.
We would like to remind our readers that all League members may participate in the League of Women Voters of Michigan’s Environmental Network, and also that all League members in Michigan have membership in the League of Women Voters Lake Michigan Region. If you would like to be part of our League’s Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environmental Justice Committee, please contact Chris Kuthe or Aedín Clements.
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Membership
By Jennifer Snyder
Since our last newsletter, LWVKA has been pleased to welcome several new members, all from Kalamazoo: Kimberly Bender, Tiffany Jackson, Julie McMullen, and Ineke Way.
Please note! The League’s membership renewal process is changing nationwide. As we transition to a new system, it’s very important that we have accurate email addresses for partners or others who currently share your household membership! Please send these to Membership Chair Jennifer Snyder, jsyndergaardsnyder@gmail.com
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In Remembrance . . .
We would like to note the passing of Pat Thomas, a long time active member of the LWVKA. We appreciate her contributions to our League and mourn the loss to her family.
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Calhoun County Unit
By: Susan Stuart, Board member
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The Calhoun County Geographical Unit is collaborating with NAACP, Urban League and other community groups such as VOCES, the Burma Center, and Battle Creek Pride to register voters and encourage early voting for the November 5 election. Former Voter Services chairperson, Lori Kline-Closson gave a presentation to 20 community members in early August on the specifics of voter registration, early voting and applying for an absentee ballot. The attendees will then work in their communities to spread this information and register voters.
Additionally, we are seeking volunteer members to help organize Get Out The Vote for these projects: A postcard mailing for 500 and text-banking in our area, and a Voter Guide and yard sign distribution leader. Contact Susan Stuart at 269-580-1378 to volunteer to organize one of these September projects.
Five members staffed a voter information table at Charitable Union’s “Back to School” clothing distribution Aug. 13, 14, 15, and seven members volunteered to observe the Board of Canvassers certify the Aug. 6 primary election results. We feel very fortunate to have members eager to participate with the LWVKA/Calhoun unit.
Looking ahead, we’ve been asked to offer voter registration and voter information at these events: A food distribution site at Marshall United Methodist Church, the Share Center in Battle Creek, Albion and Kellogg Community colleges, and Albion Festival of the Forks.
The next board meeting is Tuesday, Aug. 27, 1:30 PM at Marshall District Library Conference Room. Board member Kitty Knoll will convene.
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Election News
Shardae Chambers
Kalamazoo County Primary Election was officially certified by the Board of Canvassers on August 14, 2024. There were no issues during the canvassing. Kalamazoo County Clerk and local clerks are preparing for November General election and early voting. If you’re interested in working during the General election contact your local city or township clerk.
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