Urge Michigan Senators to Vote NO on Bills That Forbid Non-Partisan Poll Watchers & Empower Partisan Election Challengers

By MUUSJN on Wednesday, May 12th, 2021

URGENT ACTION NEEDED: CONTACT STATE SENATORS

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. We are sending you action alerts for different voter suppression bills that are being heard each week in the Michigan Senate Elections Committee that meets at 2 p.m. each Wednesday. Jessica Ayoub, Public Engagement Specialist with the Michigan ACLU is sending action alerts week 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:

This week, we are asking you all to take action to oppose Senate Bill 290, Senate Bill 291, and Senate Bill 309

  • SB 290 and 291 would eliminate nonpartisan poll challengers—and would only allow challengers from political parties. Nonpartisan poll challengers increase transparency in our elections and eliminating them from the voting process will increase the likelihood of poll challengers using their role to advance a political agenda and intimidate voters. We need to work to minimize partisan interference in the voting process. Eliminating nonpartisan poll challengers takes us away from this goal.
  • SB 309 will give new rights to partisan election challengers that could increase the harassment of voters and disrupt the election process in your polling place.

 Here is how to take action:A. Submit a card to the Senate Elections Committee, in opposition to Senate Bills 290, 291 and 309 before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12. 

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: 
  1. Subject line Suggestion: Card Opposing SB 290, 291, and 309 
  2. Your Name 
  3. The Bill number you are taking a position on (SB 290, 291, and 309) 
  4. Whether you oppose, support, or are neutral on the bill (we oppose)
  5. 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 290, 291, and 309 because nonpartisan challengers provide an extra layer of security in the election process—their jobs are important to voters and our democracy. And, increasing the rights of partisan election challengers could increase the harassment of voters and disrupt the election process.
  • Email your legislator using this LINK: This email is editable—so tell your legislator that you oppose Senate Bills 290, 291, and 309. You can use the brief bill explainers above as your justification!

To summarize:

  • Vote NO on Senate Bills 209 and 210 that would eliminate non-partisan poll challengers. We need to minimize partisan interference in the election process.
  • Vote NO on Senate Bill 309 that would give new rights to partisan election challengers. This could increase harassment of voters.

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