In 2018, citizens collected enough signatures to place initiatives on the ballot that would raise the minimum wage to $12 per hour for all Michigan workers and guarantee one hour of sick time for 30 hours worked. But instead of allowing citizens to vote on these important measures at the November 2018 election, the Michigan legislature adopted them into law in order to keep them off the ballot—and then proceeded to gut them as soon as the election was over. This cynical move is unconstitutional and had never been done before. The Michigan Constitution gives citizens the right to propose laws that must either be adopted by the legislature or voted on by the electorate the ACLU’s brief explains. “It therefore violates the Constitution for the Legislature to do what it did here: ‘adopt’ the people’s proposal—with no intention of allowing it to become law—and then snuff out that proposal during the same legislative session.” This case was argued in the Michigan Supreme Court in July 2019 and a decision is pending. 

Every 10 years following the U.S. Census, district lines for political offices must be redrawn in states across the country to accurately reflect their population. In Michigan, a randomly selected commission of citizens is responsible for drawing U.S. Congressional and Michigan State legislative district lines. Voters passed this constitutional amendment in the November 2018 general election, which makes citizens — not legislators or special interests — responsible for drawing district lines. The commission will be composed of 13 Michigan registered voters: four who self-identify as Democrats, four who self-identify as Republicans and five who self-identify as unaffiliated with either of those political parties.

Under the new constitutional provision, voters charged the Secretary of State with administering the application and selection process of commissioners, as well as providing administrative support to the commission once formed. The Secretary of State is in the process of developing an application and detailed instructions for how and when to apply. Information regarding the formation of the commission and additional resources can be found on the Secretary of State's page which includes answers to frequently asked questions and a signup to receive a commission application when they become available.

For more information about the League's role in redistricting, click here.

Inclusiveness enhances the organization’s ability to respond more effectively to changing conditions and needs, and therefore, LWVMI will in both principles and practices promote the inclusion in participation in any activity of LWVMI all persons whatever their gender, race, socio-economic status, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. Read more about the League's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by clicking here.

The League's 2019 Convention in Livonia celebrated the 100th birthday of the League of Women Voters of Michigan and the 100th anniversary of suffrage for Michigan women. The Convention was informative, productive and fun. Attended by over 200 people, the convention delegates voted to support:

• Budgets for FY 2020 and FY 2021
• Per-member-payment of $23.00 for FY 2020 and FY 2021
• A new study on "lame duck" legislative action
• Bylaw changes that amend the starting date for new board members to July 1, and the number of delegates at the state convention.
  

A number of League members were honored with awards. The Belle Brotherton Award, which honors an individual whose outstanding leadership and significant accomplishments have benefitted the citizens of Michigan, inspired others and fostered greater public participation in the democratic process was presented to Susan Smith (Ann Arbor Area). Laura Callow (Northwest Wayne) and Chris Sullivan-Rathwell (Dearborn-Dearborn Heights) won the Maryann Mahaffey Community Service Award, and Nancy Schewe (Ann Arbor Area) and Beth Moore (Lansing Area) won the Helen Milliken Leadership in Civic Empowerment Award. Read President Judy Karandjeff's President Report provided at the convention by clicking here.  Click here to see the new LWVMI Board of Directors. 

The League of Women Voters of Michigan supported Proposal 3, "Promote the Vote", which was passed by the voters in the November, 2018 election. This proposal ensures that every eligible person can vote and that every vote will be counted. It safeguards our elections with audits and more accurate voting lists, and removes barriers that can make it harder for citizens to fulfill their responsibility to vote. This constitutional amendment will:

• Protect the right to vote a secret ballot
• Ensure military service members and overseas voters get their ballots in time for their votes to count
• Provide voters with the option to vote straight party
• Automatically register citizens to vote at the Secretary of State’s office unless the citizen declines
• Allow a citizen to register to vote anytime with proof of residency
• Provide all registered voters access to an absentee ballot for any reason
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of elections by auditing election results

The ACLU of Michigan has published a comprehensive "Know Your Voting Rights Guide" since Proposal 3 was adopted. The Guide provides answers to many questions about how to register and how to vote.

The League of Women Voters of Michigan is one of 21 members of the Oil and Water Don't Mix Coalition that sent a letter to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality ("MDEQ") and the US Army Corps of Engineers ("Corps") on June 29, 2017 regarding Enbridge Oil Company’s joint application to the MDEQ and the Corps (No. 2RD-DFDK-Y35G) to install 22 anchor supports on the Line 5 pipelines in the Mackinac Straits. The Coalition members are Michigan organizations dedicated to the protection of Michigan’s water, natural resources, public trust in those resources, the environment, communities, and the health, safety and general welfare of citizens.

The Coalition organizations are requesting that MDEQ and the Corps take the following actions with regard to Enbridge’s joint application:
1. Reject as incomplete due to its overly narrow scope of review;
2. Require a comprehensive review of Line 5 in the Straits that includes an assessment of adverse environmental impacts, risks, and feasible and prudent alternatives;
3. Temporarily terminate the transport of crude oil in the Line 5 pipelines during this comprehensive review; and
4. Hold a formal public hearing given that Enbridge Line 5 occupies publicly owned waters and bottomlands and the threat of a catastrophic oil pipeline rupture to the Great Lakes are of tremendous controversy and have generated an extraordinary level of public engagement. Read the entire letter here.

Other resources:
Under-the-Straits tour of Pipeline 5 (3 min. video)
Area businesses expressing concern about Pipeline 5 (3 min video)

1. Join the LWV
    a. Connect with people who share your democratic values
    b. Share in decision making and work
    c. Know you are a part of bigger coalitions

2. Learn About Issues
    a. Improve your general knowledge of issues – learn from others
    b. Focus on issues important to you – Share your knowledge
    c. View issues from a broader perspective – respect people’s right to different viewpoints

3. Strengthen our Voice & Establish Relationships
    a. Engage
    b. Mentor
    c. Demonstrate
    d. Advocate

4. Be Realistic – build bridges, not walls
    a. Compromise
    b. Non-partisan solutions

5. Stay Positive
    a. Hard work needs positivity – remember to have some fun
    b. Avoid burnout - take time for yourself & your loved ones