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13 April 2022
The Washtenaw County Democratic Party Celebrates this Moment!!!
Portrait of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson smiling in front of a patriotic background.  The text reads "Herstory Made" and "CONFIRMED. A Justice For All"

ONE Campaign Ypsi Office Opening!

ONE Campaign for Michigan

This Saturday, April 16 @ 12pm to 1pm
WCDP Office, 418 West Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197

From our friends at the
ONE Campaign: Join us to celebrate a major milestone of the campaign - our FIRST office opening in Washtenaw County! Come meet the staff, volunteers, and other voters, have a bite to eat, and learn more about what we'll be doing this year to bring home wins up and down the ticket in Michigan.

Folks are more than welcome to show up a bit early for the event. Questions? Reach out to (615) 943-2436 or cgrow@1campaignmi.com.

We'll also be canvassing afterwards.  Hit the big buttons below to sign up!
Register for the Ypsi Office Opening - 4/16 @ Noon
Sign up for Door-Knocking at Mobilize!

Fighting for Reproductive Rights!


Gretchen Whitmer at a lectern.  Text reads "Defending Abortion Rights"When WCDP met with UM student Democratic leaders and asked them what their most pressing issues were right now, they did not hesitate to answer: Reproductive Justice and Climate Change. As red states pass laws that limit access to abortions and we await the fate of Roe V. Wade, many now see that the threat to reproductive rights is very real.
 
 Michigan’s Republican gubernatorial candidates have made it clear where they stand with their extreme abortion agenda. Garrett Soldano said we must inspire women who have been raped to understand how heroic they are in giving birth and see that "God put them in this moment." James Craig said that abortion should be allowed only if continued childbearing endangers the woman’s life. Tudor Dixon said she is “a candidate for life – no exceptions.”
 
In a January Glengariff poll, more than 67 percent of Michigan voters support keeping Roe V. Wade, and nearly 66 percent of Michigan voters also want to repeal the 1931 law that banned abortion if it was reinstated. 
 
Whitmer, who has spent her entire career championing reproductive freedom, is calling on the state legislature to repeal the state’s 1931 law that criminalizes abortion. She has filed a historic lawsuit and asked the Michigan Supreme Court to protect the right to access reproductive healthcare and abortion services. 
 
You can support this initiative by Donating & Volunteering! In addition...
   
To qualify for the November 2022 ballot, Reproductive Freedom for All (RFFA) must collect 425,059 valid signatures from registered Michigan voters. Reproductive Freedom for All is a campaign to amend the Michigan Constitution. RFFA's proposal will affirm that every person has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which involves the right to make and carry out decisions without political interference about all matters relating to pregnancy, including birth control, abortion, infertility, miscarriage care, prenatal care, and childbirth.

Western Washtenaw Dems: Redistricting and You

Wednesday, April 20 @ 7 PM

Outline of Michigan with boundary of new 6th Congressional District highlighted, while the old district outlines are spiraling awayWell, the county is finally in a single Congressional District, but what else happened?

Join the Western Washtenaw Dems to see where we all landed and what it means.  One big change is the number of state legislative districts we now share with other counties, like our neighbors in Jackson Co. just to the east!

Conner Wood, Chair of both the Jackson County Democrats and Michigan 7th Congressional District Democrats, will talk about the process of creating the new districts and what they mean to us.

Get Meeting Details on Facebook

Let your yard bristle with democracy

Yardsign: Re-elect Whitmer Gilchrist Nessel BensonYardsign: Black Lives MatterYardsign: Re-elect Whitmer Gilchrist For Michigan
  • Large Whitmer Gilchrist Nessel Benson: $15
  • Black Lives Matter: $5
  • Smaller Whitmer Gilchrist on white: $10 
Funds from all sales support the Washtenaw County Democratic Party.  We can only accept a check or cash, check preferred.

Pick up signs in person at the WCDP office in Ypsilanti on Wednesdays, 5 to 7, Saturdays, 11 to 3; and Sundays, 1 to 3 except on Easter Sunday. For everyone’s safety, we ask that you please wear a mask when entering.

It's always best to call ahead to be sure we have what you need: 734-879-0556. Call anytime - we'll get the message and get back to you! 
Smiling group of staffers and volunteers, including County Clerk Lawrence Kestenbaum in front of the Elections Administration office in the Washtenaw County Courthouse

Join the WCDP team!

The Precinct Organizing Committee (POC) is swinging into high gear for this critical election year. Whether you have a couple hours a month or a few hours a week, you’ll find a volunteer home with the POC and its sister committee, VOICE – Visibility, Outreach, Involvement, and Community Engagement.
 
A key role is Precinct Delegate. PDs are elected by their 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. For inspiration – the “East Side Squad” pictured above filed election paperwork together, with County Clerk Lawrence Kestenbaum cheering them on!

Let us know you’re interested by filling out our Volunteer Interest Form. Once the form is filled out, a member of WCDP will reach out to you with more details. Thanks for your consideration!
 

Multiple small images illustrating what a cndidate partner slot looks like at the WCDP website
Speaking panel slots, WCDP candidate ads available

Are you running for office in Washtenaw County and seeking new ways to reach voters? WCDP is offering a couple of unique opportunities for local candidates to spread the word about their campaigns.

We would love to have you 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.

In addition, we have created a Candidates Corner on our website. These ads will also be shared in email blasts and on our social media platforms, reaching over 3,000 Washtenaw County Democrats.

Here is the price breakdown for the website ads:
  • City Council/Township Officials = $99
  • County Electees/Judicial = $125
  • Legislators = $175
Please contact Mary Hall-Thiam at mhallthiamaka@gmail.com for more information.

Spring 2022 WCDP General Membership Endorsement Meeting


On Monday, April 25th at 6 p.m., the Washtenaw County Democratic Party (WCDP) will hold a special General Membership meeting to consider the endorsement of 2022 ballot proposals and various resolutions. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and requires pre-registration (see below.)
 
NOTE: At this meeting we will NOT be voting on endorsing candidates for office.
 
The specific ballot proposals we will consider will be sent to all registrants a few days in advance of the meeting as well as any resolutions that are received. Support of ballot proposals and any resolutions sent to attendees in advance of the meeting require a simple majority to pass. Those presented at the meeting only require a two-thirds (⅔) majority, per our bylaws.
 
If you have a resolution to be considered or if you wish to personally speak on behalf of a specific ballot proposal when it is presented, please contact WCDP Chair Chris Savage as soon as possible (email: chrissavage123@sbcglobal, phone or text: 734-358-9276.)
 
This event will be held via Zoom and requires pre-registration.
 
Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission Logo

Dems can take control of our state!
Save the date for May 7th WCDP webinar

Democrats have the chance to gain control of the Michigan state legislature this November for the first time in 50 years. More than 60% of Michigan voters made this sea change possible by passing the Michigan Independent Citizens’ Redistricting ballot proposal in 2018. Now, we have that voice – and a multitude of candidates seeking our votes. Two newly drawn House districts representing Washtenaw County – 32 and 47 – have attracted six Democratic candidates

To help voters decide whom to support in August, the Washtenaw County Democratic Party will host a speaking panel featuring six candidates on Saturday, May 7, at 9:30 AM, via Zoom. More details to come in next week's newsletter!

Training series for judicial candidates

Great Lakes Political Academy’s first LEAD (Leadership, Education and Development) for Justice training course is scheduled to begin in two weeks, on Tuesday April 19th. They are accepting applications for this free, virtual training from prospective judicial candidates for any level of the Michigan judiciary. 
 
Click here to apply

Lead for Justice Virtual Training Series logo 

Promote the Vote Petitions!

Voters Not Politicians logoHelp safeguard democracy in Michigan, as the Promote the Vote campaign gets off the ground. A coalition including Voters Not Politicians, the ACLU, the League of Women Voters and others is organizing an army of volunteers charged with gathering 425,059 valid signatures before July 11, 2022.

Sign up here to gather signatures
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.
ActionHub connects you to 100+ local groups who share our Democratic values.  We are better together. Take action today.
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/.
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Copyright © 2022 Washtenaw County Democratic Party, All rights reserved.


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