MICHIGAN’S PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY – MANY “FIRSTS”
The presidential primary on February 27, 2024 was the first time since voters approved Proposal 2 of 2022 that Michigan voters could exercise new rights statewide. Clerks administered 9 days or more of early voting, counted military and overseas ballots if they were postmarked by election day, added more mail-in ballot drop boxes and provided more conveniences to absentee voters. Experts and voters alike give the clerks and election inspectors high marks for successfully enacting these reforms within a short time frame. We’re so proud that Proposal 2 guaranteed new rights in Michigan’s Constitution and that voters overwhelmingly approved it two years ago. We’re also grateful to the Michigan lawmakers, Bureau of Elections and local clerks who helped implement Proposal 2 and administered this successful presidential primary. Read the entire Opinion letter that appeared in the Detroit News on March 26, 2024.
PRIMARIES, SPECIAL ELECTIONS AND GENERAL ELECTIONS IN 2024
Do you vote in the 13th or 25th Michigan House district? If so, you have a special election coming up on April 16th. Everyone in Michigan will have an election on August 6th which will be the Primary for all partisan positions (except US President). Winners will advance to the general election on November 5th, along with non-partisan candidates. Watch for more information closer to election days.
LWVMI SUPPORTS NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE
The National Popular Vote(NPV) guarantees that the electoral college and the presidency will be won by the candidate who wins the most popular votes in all 50 states and DC. When enacted, NPV will apply the concept of “one person, one vote” to our presidential elections, making every voter politically relevant in every presidential election for the first time. LWVMI supports House Bill 4156 and Senate Bill 126, which would add Michigan’s 15 electoral votes to a growing number of states supporting National Popular Vote.
MICHIGAN’S NEW CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ABOUT VOTING
In 2022, Promote the Vote partnered with more than 30 organizations, including the League of Women Voters of Michigan, to propose and pass Proposal 2 of 2022. The proposal garnered 60% of the vote, with support from voters across the political spectrum and in a majority of Michigan counties. Proposal 2 amended the Michigan Constitution to allow for these voter rights: early voting in federal and state elections, a right to join a permanent absentee ballot list, more absentee ballot drop boxes in many communities and a number of other voter protections. In all, 40 new elections laws were passed in 2023. Read a synopsis of the rights gained by voters and other “one pagers” here.
