This Week Urge Your Michigan Senator to Vote NO on Voter Suppression Bills; Learn About Black Momma Bailout & How to Oppose Line 5
By MUUSJN on Wednesday, May 5th, 2021
URGENT ACTION NEEDED: CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR
MUUSJN is working in coordination with the “Promote the Vote Coalition”, ACLU People Power and the ACLU of Michigan, Voters Not Politicians, the NAACP and other groups that are working to oppose voter suppression in Michigan. Anti-democracy legislators introduced 39 bills this spring and are expected to review and take action on these bills through the Senate Elections Committee each Wednesday up until they break for summer recess during June, 2021. Jessica Ayoub, Public Engagement Specialist with the Michigan ACLU is offering to send an action alert each Monday before these hearings. To get on her list, email Jessica at jayoub@aclumich.org For more information on MUUSJN efforts to promote the vote and oppose voter suppression, contact randyblock@yahoo.com. We’ve just begun to fight!
A Message from Jessica Ayoub:
Thank you so much to everyone who took immediate action last week to voice your opposition to Senate Bill 287, which would bar local clerks from offering prepaid postage on absentee ballot envelopes. This morning, we learned that nearly 300 volunteers submitted cards in opposition to these bills, and over 200 volunteers called their legislators to voice their opposition! This impressive showing is a fantastic tool to show the legislature that voters are opposed to these suppression efforts! The Senate Election Committee held a hearing that lasted nearly two hours. The bills were not voted out of committee and onto the Senate floor. We do not yet know if and when this might happened. This week, we need volunteers to take action to oppose Senate Bills 273 and 286, which would restrict the use of ballot drop boxes.
- SB 273 adds prohibitively expensive regulations to drop boxes that will reduce voter access and would give full power to local county boards of canvassers to approve or disallow drop boxes, hampering voting access for rural communities.
- SB 286 would require the closure of drop boxes by 5 PM the night before Election Day, reducing voter access and putting even more of a burden on local clerks to accept ballots in their offices without the necessary training, funding, or resources that they need.
Ballot drop boxes are commonly and effectively used across the country, and provide large numbers of Michigan voters with a safe, secure way to vote. Putting restrictions on the use of drop boxes will burden Michigan voters that have used drop boxes for years, especially in rural communities that don’t have updated infrastructure and face geographical barriers to voting.
Here’s how you can take Action:
Submit a card to the Senate Elections Committee, in opposition to Senate Bills 273 and 286
To submit a card, email the Committee Clerk, Heather Dorbeck (hdorbeck@senate.michigan.gov) and cc the Committee Chair, Senator Ruth Johnson (senrjohnson@senate.michigan.gov) and Minority Vice Chair Senator Paul Wojno (senpwojno@senate.michigan.gov)
Include the following in your email:
- Subject line Suggestion: Card Opposing SB 273 and 286
- Your Name
- The Bill number you are taking a position on (SB 273 and 286)
- Whether you oppose, support, or are neutral on the bill (we oppose)
- Phone, email address, city of residence (all optional)
Call your legislator using the ACLU-MI Constituent connector line: 517.760.6214
When you call, you will be prompted to enter you zip code and will then be routed to your Senator. Whether you reach a person or a voicemail, please let them know you’re a constituent and that you oppose Senate Bills 273 and 286 because putting restrictions on the use of ballot boxes will burden Michigan voters. Instead of putting up deliberate barriers, our elected officials should be working to ensure every Michigander has a voice in the future of our state.
Email your legislator using this LINK:
- This email is editable—so tell your legislator that you oppose Senate Bills 273 and 286 because putting restrictions on the use of ballot boxes will burden Michigan voters. Instead of putting up deliberate barriers, our elected officials should be working to ensure every Michigander has a voice in the future of our state.
Tuesday, May 4- LINE 5: Shutting Down The Ticking Time Bomb
The May 12 deadline to shut down Enbridge’s 68-year-old pipeline is fast approaching, but we know Enbridge is going to fight it tooth and nail. We’re joining Michigan LCV and a panel of experts on May 4 to hear how we get this ticking time bomb out of our Great Lakes for good. There’s still time to register! Reserve your spot: https://michiganlcv.zoom.us/…/WN_2wld9MwDR8WM43bmx55bt
Thursday, May 6 – Black Mama’s Day Bailout – Community Conversation- The Impact of the Cash Bail System on Black Women
For the past 3 years Black Lives of UU (BLUU) has encouraged Unitarian Universalists across the country to participate in Black Mama’s Bailout. In Spring 2019, Michigan Liberation organized to free Black womxn, mothers and caregivers from cages in Michigan— jailed because of the immoral and unconstitutional practice of money bail and the industry that profits from it.
This year to deepen the work and connections in Michigan, MUUSJN is joining Michigan Liberation in this crucial work! Money bail (and the industry that profits from it) has long been instrumental in destroying our communities, so until we end the practice of caging our black women, mothers and caregivers— we will fight to free them and bring them home!
Don’t miss this important conversation on Thursday, May 6th at 7PM ET as women who’ve been directly impacted and failed by the criminal legal system share their stories and experiences… and learn how YOU can be a part of the movement to dismantle the oppressive system of cash bail. Washtenaw Assistant Prosecutor, Victoria Burton-Harris will be joining us as well to share about how they are ending cash bail in Washtenaw County!
There’s still time to register! Reserve your spot: https://bit.ly/TheCriminalizationofPoverty For more information, contact Jenny Teed, MUUSJN Special Projects Coordinator at jennifer.a.teed@gmail.com or call 313-247-3399.
Category: News |