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27 April 2022

Illustration of a red-and-white-striped circus tent with the MIGOP logo on it. Text reads "I htikn after the circus in Grand Rapids this past wekend, Michgian Republians are going to fail in November..." which is a quote from a GOP delegate posting on Facebook about the Michigan Republican Spring Convention

 

Newly drawn districts, voter engagement, GOP division = good news for Dems

Right-wing authoritiarianism is on the rise at home and abroad. At the Michigan Republican Spring Convention this past weekend, party delegates backed Trump-supporting candidates, despite the Big Lie and Jan. 6th insurrection. It is scary and alarming. However, from Slovenia to France to Ukraine, people are fighting and dying to defend democracy. They are inspiration. 

Here in Michigan, many Dems believe that we can't win - but that is not true. With our newly-drawn district maps everything is in play in November. UNITED, we really can #FlipLansingBlue. It's not a pipe dream. The MIGOP is fighting so hard because they know that. They're scared and they should be.

Together we can do this.  Never stop fighting. Do your part.  Every vote will be needed, so have hope and vote - volunteer - donate! 

#VoteBluein2022 #DefendDemocracy

Area Captains needed for community-building


Anonymous quote.  Text reads "Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy.  You vote in elections once a year but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in."Area Captains are community builders for a designated geographic area who assist in distributing WCDP’s popular voter guide. We’ve defined 15 such areas within Washtenaw County.
 
WCPD has recruited a team of dedicated folks to head up communications and the mobilization of delegates and volunteers for the 2022 election. However, we are still looking for folks to head up Area 2, which covers Sharon Twp, Manchester Twp, Freedom Twp, and Bridgewater Twp. In this area, Dems are few and far between, but they are there, and we need to reach them!  We've just kicked off our first "neighbor" canvass and outreach to start to mobilize folks in various ways. 
 
The other area that needs someone is Ward 2 in Ann Arbor. This is an area with a lot of support available, and it's relatively easy to organize. 
 
To learn more or if you or someone you know is interested in these positions, please contact us
 

 

Photo of Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State, smiling in front of larte red-white-and-blue sign reading 'VOTE"

Congratulations to Secretary of State Jocelyn

Benson will receive the Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Foundation in May. The award is presented annually to public servants who have made courageous decisions without regard for the personal or professional consequences and recognizes Secretary Benson’s work protecting our state and nation’s democracy.

Benson said, “I am deeply moved and grateful for this recognition of our work in Michigan to ensure every voice is heard, every vote is counted, and our democracy prevails against the unprecedented attempts to interfere with our elections and upend the will of the people.” 

Learn more about the award
here

 WCDP Messaging Bank  

WCDP is establishing a coordinated "message bank" for this crucial election year. Some issues we are focusing on are: 

(1) Thanks to redistricting, WE CAN WIN the Michigan legislature, 

(2) Re-electing our executive team and securing the Dem majority on the Michigan Supreme Court this midterm, and 

(3) Improving the Washtenaw County voting record. We need to get every Dem vote in the county. That way, we swing the state and possibly the nation. 

We are "Here for Good!"

May WCDP Candidate Forum

Candidates CornerGet to know the Democratic primary candidates for two of Washtenaw County’s new State House districts.

The newly redrawn House District 32 covers the city of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township and parts of Pittsfield and Superior townships.

House District 47 includes northwest Ann Arbor and stretches west and south to cover Scio Township, Dexter, Manchester, other parts of western Washtenaw, and southeastern Jackson County.

Invited candidates include:

District 32:
Marshall Averill
Roderick Casey, Sr.
Robyn Lynn McCoy
Jimmie Wilson, Jr.

District 47:
James Johnson, Jr.
Carrie Rheingans

Join the webinar on May 7 @ 9:30 a.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83415806030

Save the date: Add to Google Calendar

More details at our website!

Be a Paid Election Inspector

Deadline looming: May 15!
Michigan Dems Voter Protection Logo

We need three Democratic election inspectors (paid poll workers) to assist the municipal clerks in our county for the 2022 election cycle. Election officials ensure that election laws are followed and that our voters are not intimidated. The Big Lie is still very much alive in Michigan, and Republicans are doing everything they can to suppress votes and create chaos in voting and vote counting.  But you can help.

Get the skinny on what election inspectors do, then email chair@washtenawdems.org to volunteer.  Time is short since we need to inform twonship and village/city clerks by May 15.  Now is the time! 
Click to Volunteer & Protect Democracy!

WCDP Candidate Partnerships

Candidate partners page from the WCDP websiteRunning in Washtenaw County and need ways to reach voters? 
  • Sign up for a 3- to 5-minute spot to introduce yourself and talk about the office you are seeking at one of our upcoming general meetings.
  • Get a spot as a Candidate Partner on our website.  These ads will also be shared via email &  social media, reaching over 3,000 engaged county Dems
Website ad pricing:
  • City Council/Township Officials = $99
  • County Electees/Judicial = $125
  • Legislators = $175
Contact Mary Hall-Thiam at mhallthiamaka@gmail.com for more information.

Join the WCDP team!

The Precinct Organizing & VOICE committees need you!  Even a few hours can make a difference in 2022. Roles in demand now include:
 
Precinct Delegate: PDs are elected by neighbors to represent them to the WCDP. It’s easier to get elected than you think! Find out how here, and find out why here. Paperwork is due by May 3, so now is the time!

Voter Guide Indesign Team:  Our voter guide reaches tens of thousands of people and is a key part of voter mobilization.  And it's a big job. Looking for folks with Adobe Creative Cloud installed, print production experience, and experience iwth inDesign & Photoshop. Is that you?  Let us know.

Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form and we'll get back to you right away.  We're all in this together!

Yard Signs Available

Yardsign: Re-elect Whitmer Gilchrist Nessel BensonYardsign: Black Lives MatterYardsign: Re-elect Whitmer Gilchrist For Michigan
  • Whitmer Gilchrist Nessel Benson: $15
  • Black Lives Matter: $5
  • Whitmer Gilchrist on white: $10 
Sales support the WCDP. We can only accept check (preferred) or cash.  Pick up at the WCDP Ypsilanti office  on Wednesdays, 5 to 7, Saturdays, 11 to 3; and Sundays, 1 to 3.  Please call ahead to check on stock: 734-879-0556.

Petition-signing and much more

Mobilize volunteer and event platform logoThere are many important ballot initiatives that need signatures and many ways to help.  Catch up what you can do from home, events in our area, and connections with allied organizations at the WCDP Mobilize dashboard.  

As we get closer to November we'll be using it more & more, so get in the habit now!
ActionHub connects you to 100+ local groups who share our Democratic values.  We are better together. Take action today.
Bridge Michigan continues to do the reporting a democracy needs with their detailed ballot proposal tracker, explaining what each would do, major funders, & more. Confused? Find out what you need to know.
Petitions and Allies

Petitions and Allies


One way to elect politicians / enact legislation that reflect our values is through supporting petition drives and ally organizations. Ball's in your court!

Debbie Dingell, U.S. Congresswoman for the old 12th District (which covered the most populous part of Washtenaw), will be running in the new 6th District, which will cover ALL of Washtenaw. She needs nominating petition circulators. Sign up here.

Felicia Brabec, State Representative for the old 55th District in SE Washtenaw, will be running in the new 33rd District, which includes the south side of Ann Arbor, Saline, and adjacent townships. She also needs nominating petition circulators.
Sign up here.

Reproductive Freedom for All is an organization dedicated to overturning the 1931 Michigan law banning abortion that will go back into effect if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. You can sign up for updates and to volunteer at this link.

Washtenaw County has updated COVID testing information, including testing sites in the county.
The U.S. Government has now opened a website where you can order free at-home tests.
Washtenaw County COVID Testing website
U.S. Government Free At-Home Tests

STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR MICHIGAN REPS


Find your county commissioner here.

State Senator Jeff Irwin has a regular Virtual Coffee Hour -- To receive the Zoom access code and the next date, please fill out this form: State Rep. Yousef Rabhi, 53rd House district: yousefrabhi@house.mi.gov, Phone: (517) 373-2577. https://housedems.com/yousef-rabhi/. Currently virtual coffee hours with Yousef are at 10 am on the 4th Saturday of the month. State Rep. Ronnie Peterson, 54th House district: ronniepeterson@house.mi.gov Phone: (517) 373-1771 | Toll-Free: (855) 347-8054, https://housedems.com/ronnie-peterson/ 

State Rep. Donna Lasinski, 52nd House district: donnalasinski@house.mi.gov, Phone: (517) 373-0828 | Toll-Free: (855) 627-5052, https://housedems.com/donna-lasinski/ (sign up for emails here). 

State Rep. Felicia Brabec, 55th House district: FeliciaBrabec@house.mi.gov, Phone: (517) 373-1792, https://housedems.com/felicia-brabec/.
Bright-eyed donkey looking straight into the camera and smiling (or at least showing its teeth and pink tongue)
FINAL WORD: Former Michigan GOP chair Laura Cox tweeted her dismay over how the Michigan Republican Spring Convention unfolded:
 
“A chaotic convention, disenfranchised delegates and no unity.”

Meshawn Maddock, the current co-chair, shot back. “Put your drink down, Laura. Winning isn’t something you would understand.”

MIGOP division is our opportunity! 
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Copyright © 2022 Washtenaw County Democratic Party, All rights reserved.


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