Recordings of today’s news conferences are available on Promote the Vote 2022’s Facebook page.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 11, 2022
Promote the Vote 2022 will help ensure every voice is heard, every Michigan vote is counted
Promote the Vote 2022 launches ballot initiative for secure, accessible Michigan elections
LANSING – Supporters of Promote the Vote 2022gathered virtually today to launch petition gathering for the ballot initiative that will protect the fundamental right to vote.
Two virtual events featuring speakers from local and statewide organizations kicked off petitioning for 425,059 valid Michigan voter signatures to place Promote the Vote 2022 on the November 2022 ballot.
All Michigan voters should have confidence that their voice will be heard and their vote counted no matter what political party or candidate they support, where they live or what they look like. The Promote the Vote 2022 ballot initiative will enhance the accessibility and security of our elections and ensure that every eligible voter can have their vote counted without intimidation or interference.
The following local and statewide organizations released statements about the launch:
“Promote the Vote is committed to cutting through the partisan noise to preserve, protect, and enhance voting rights for the people of Michigan, because our democracy works best when every eligible voter can vote without the threat of harassment, intimidation, or interference,” said Micheal Davis, executive director of Promote the Vote.
“Voters Not Politicians is all in on this effort because Michigan voters – no matter who we are and who we support – want safe, secure and convenient elections,” said Nancy Wang, executive director of Voters Not Politicians. “Hyper partisans and other ballot initiatives are trying to make voting harder in this state. This initiative is about what voters – not politicians, parties or special interests – want.”
“No matter what political party or candidate you support, where you live or what you look like, Promote the Vote 2022 will help ensure all voices are heard and every vote counts,” said Christina Schlitt, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Michigan. “We urge voters in Michigan to sign this important petition and protect voting rights for future generations.”
“The NAACP continues to stand ready and willing to protect voting rights at all levels of government, and we encourage everyone who believes in ‘Freedom and Justice for All’ to get involved with the Promote the Vote 2022 campaign and to Stand Up and be a voice in your community,” said Yvonne White, president of NAACP-MI.
“Michigan is blessed to have many vibrant rural communities, yet we know when it comes to participating in our democracy, it isn’t always convenient or accessible for folks in rural communities,” said Bob Thompson, president of the Michigan Farmers Union. “The common- sense solutions in the Promote the Vote 2022 ballot initiative would make voting more convenient for rural voters, along with many other voters who may have difficulty getting to the polls.”
"This ballot initiative will help ensure every vote is counted and every eligible voter can vote without harassment, intimidation, or interference,” said Erin Knott, executive director of Equality MI. “This is important to LGBTQ+ voters as it can be emotionally fraught for a transgender or non-binary person to cast a ballot and be challenged over their identification while trying to vote. This is especially true as many in the community face financial or legal roadblocks to updating documents as they transition."
"Emgage is proud to endorse the Promote the Vote ballot initiative. Our goal here at Emgage is to politically empower our Muslim and minority communities, and this all starts with making voting easy and accessible for all Michiganders,” said Nada Al-Hanooti, executive director of Emgage Michigan. “This initiative is vital in achieving our goal to fully enfranchise our citizens and ensure that we are all equally represented."
“When we head to our polling precinct or fill out our absentee ballot, we should be confident our voice is heard and our vote is counted no matter what we may look like or whatever part of the Great Lakes state we call home,” said Brooke Harris, voting rights manager for Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “This ballot initiative will ensure our elections are safe and secure while providing common sense improvements to make voting more convenient and accessible.”
“Through GR PROACTIVE’S work, I’ve learned Michigan voters want and would benefit from the Promote the Vote 2022 ballot initiative,” said Kathi Harris, founder and executive director of GR PROACTIVE. “It will create more convenience, accessibility and security for every voter.
Promote the Vote 2022 works for us all.”
“Signing the petition and placing Promote the Vote 2022 on the November ballot will ensure all of us, including Michigan’s tribal communities, have a say in protecting our right to vote,” said Meredith Kennedy, executive director of Miigwech Inc. “All voters should be confident their voices will be heard when they head to the polls in person or vote absentee.”
“Fems for Democracy believes strongly in the power we hold when we come together to make positive change in our communities,” said Julie Campbell-Bode, board chair of Fems for Democracy. “Every Michigander deserves to have their voices heard and vote counted and that that is why we’re proudly supporting Promote the Vote 2022.”
“Detroit Disability Power believes all people with disabilities deserve access to voting in each and every election,” said Ayesha Ghazi Edwin, deputy director of Detroit Disability Power. “When many voters had some type of difficulty voting in 2020, we know there’s a lot more work to be done to make our democracy accessible to all. People with disabilities deserve access to voting in each and every election, and governments should be making it easier to vote, not harder.”
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