VOTE TUESDAY, 11/8 7am-8pm
Every voter in Michigan, no matter where they live, can use www.vote411.org to find information about the partisan and non-partisan candidates in the 11/8 General Election. You can also check if you are registered to vote and find your polling place.
Using vote411.org, enter your address to build your ballot with our online voters' guide, see the races on your ballot, compare candidates' positions side-by-side, and print out a "ballot" indicating your preferences as a reminder and take it with you to the polls on Election Day.
Election Day Problems?
Call one of these hotlines:
1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance)
1-844-418-1682 (Arabic)
Did you miss our candidate forums?
Watch them on UpNorth Media's website:
1st Congressional District Candidate Forum
104th State House District Candidate Forum
NMC Board of Trustees Candidate Forum
|
|
Upcoming Events
Consensus Meeting (1/2)
Government Finance Study
Tuesday, November 22, 2016, 12-2pm
Thirlby Room, Woodmere, TADL
Purpose: to update the LWVMI's current position on taxation and budgeting. There are three components of the new study:
- Understand state revenue sources
- Examine state expenditures
- Look at state/local fiscal relationships
Moderator: League member Jan Geht, J.D., CPA. Jan is a tax lawyer in Traverse City. Prior to moving to Traverse City, Jan worked for several major accounting and law firms and also for the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Suggested readings: LWVMI Current Taxation and Budgeting Position (last revised 1995), Consensus Questions and Background Information, PowerPoint Presentation on Background Information and Issues, a List of Michigan's Revenue Sources, the Michigan Government Finance Definitions, and an additional List of Resources. All League members are welcome!
LWVGTA Holiday Open House
Sunday, December 4, 2016, 1-4pm
Home of Marilyn & Don Jaquish
502 6th St., Traverse City, MI
Proceeds from this event support LWVGTA Voter Education projects. Donations are most welcome! Please join us and bring a friend. RSVP by November 29th via mailed invitation or to publicity@lwvgta.org.
Consensus Meeting (2/2)
Government Finance Study
Tuesday, January 17, 2017, 12-2pm
Thirlby Room, Woodmere, TADL
Save the date: complete updating the LWVMI's current position on taxation and budgeting.
|
|
|
Annual LWVGTA Holiday Wreath and Garland Sale!
Orders accepted through Nov. 11th
Link to printable wreath and garland order form
Message from Anne Montgomery and Ingrid Brophy: "As you know, this effort is the heart of our ability to finance our projects throughout the year. We use the funds to put on our political forums (the Michigan 104th District race and the 1st Congressional race), our voter registration drives, and our educational programs offered to the membership and public such as “Plastics in our Water.” If you could possibly send emails to your friends, or handout fliers to groups you attend (tennis or golf groups, book clubs, garden clubs, church groups), you will be expanding our sales effort and helping us achieve our goal! You may not have had an opportunity to participate in most of our activities this year, but this one would be a great help if you can participate by buying and/or selling a wreath or garland."
Wreath and garland pick-up:
Saturday, November 19th, 9am-2pm
719 Munson Ave. (Ingrid Brophy's home, swan mailbox across from Schelde's)
Link to printable wreath and garland order form
|
|
LWVGTA Voter Service News
What a year! Thank you Voter Service Committee, League members, and numerous community residents and partners who were so instrumental in making this a successful election season for doing what we do best – promoting an informed electorate. We appreciate UpNorthTV, IPR, The Record Eagle, and all community media outlets who assisted in promoting, streaming, and publicizing candidates’ positions on issues. The Grand Traverse County Clerk’s office deserves special recognition for providing candidate information for local races and sending busy staff to all of our registration events. We also appreciate the willingness of candidates to run for office and their participation in our forums and the VOTE411 online voter guide.
Events:
Voter Information and Registration Drive at TADL on June 21 and 22. Checking registration, ballots and information- 69. Registered 7. Absentee ballot requests 2.
104th House District Primary Forum at Garfield Township Hall on July 14. Attended by 77+ and moderated by Jean Howard.
Voter Information and Registration Drive at Boardman Lake Glens on September 13.
6 residents registered a change of address and 13 residents filled out absentee voter applications. Answered lots of questions!
Voter Information and Registration at NMC on September 27 and September 28 in conjunction with the Leelanau County League and county clerks from both counties. 28 students registered, 2 requested absentee ballots, and there were 14 information requests.
104th House District Candidate Forum at Garfield Township Hall on September 29. Attended by 80+ and moderated by Bill Froehlich.
1st U.S. Congressional District Candidate Forum at Lars Hockstad on October 10. Sponsored by LWVGTA, LWVLC, IAF, IPR and UpNorth TV. About 180 were in the audience and it was moderated by David Cassleman IPR and Jack Segal IAF.
NMC Trustee Candidate Forum at Milliken Auditorium on October 18. 87 people attended and it was moderated by Mary Grover.
Voter Information Seminar at Bay Ridge Independent Living on October 19. Informed residents on checking Michigan.gov/vote site for their ballot and registration information and VOTE411.org. Assisted those that needed to apply for absentee ballots.
Expanding VOTE411.org to include township-level races, and school boards in Grand Traverse County. Thank you Mary Beeker for making this happen!
The distribution of 4,600 LWVMI Voter Guides to public high schools, community libraries, and government offices in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Crawford, and Otsego Counties. Jane Watts, it was amazing that you delivered all of these!
We love our audience comments!
(This is just a small sample.)
"LWV knows how to conduct forums."
"Wish you were in charge of the Presidential Debate!"
"Good balance and review of questions."
"This was a fabulous event. Very informative. Much better than anything we’re seeing at the national level. Kudos."
"Can’t imagine a better, more skilled discussion."
Sincerely,
Your Voter Service Committee:
Inara Kurt and Peg Townsend Co-chairs
Mary Beeker
Ingrid Brophy
Linda Crandall
Mary Grover
Donna Hornberger
Jean Howard
Anne Montgomery
Bev Newson
Becky Somsel
Jane Watts
|
|
|
|
|
|
