ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.
I’ve had a change of heart on the issue of the nine days of early voting in Michigan.
Though I steadfastly support making voting voting easier for the unwashed masses, perhaps the legendary Proposal 2 from 2022 went too far. Perhaps the proponents of establishing nine consecutive days of opening the polls was an exercise in overzealous law making.
I hereby ask there be a new petition movement to whittle the nine days down to three. I’d like to see early voting at the polls to be applicable only to the Saturday, Sunday and Monday right before election day. That way, more opportunities would be available for the unwashed masses to cast their ballots, but the scope of the process would be reduced.
Let’s be clear that early voting is a product of the will of the people in a state-wide ballot proposal was was passed by more than 60 percent of eligible voters. Those who claim it was the result of state government playing Big Brother are just plain wrong.
I personally voted for Proposal 2 because of my lifelong commitment to having as many people vote as possible. As I have said in this space often before, voting is the only real power we common everyday folks have in a world in which “he who has the gold makes the rules.”
And I don’t buy into the opposition of Allegan County Clerk Bob Genetski and local clerks who insist this new law overburdens them. Take a good look at life in these parts 50 years ago and you can’t help but notice there were far more instances of special elections, which since then have been curtailed to only four times per year. Elections are the principal functions of township, city and county clerks.
However, I was persuaded two years ago that just about any way to have common folks vote is a good thing to promote healthier democracy. Now that I have seen the unintended consequences, I must sing a different tune.
My wife made her services as a poll worker available twice during this added nine-day early voting period and she reported to me that Leighton Township polls have attracted just over 80 people to vote in the span of a week.
This means we taxpayers are paying extra bucks, but really getting a bang for those bucks. The new law has not benefitted enough folks to have it continue.
I still am a strong advocate of voting by mail and I oppose making elections only one day and requiring a personal appearance between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. We must assure accessibility for common everyday folks. It’s just that Proposal 2 indeed went too far.
So tweak the system for three days of early voting and protect the rights of everyone to vote by mail.
Just what we need — another state-wide ballot proposal.
Although there has been a very low count for the 9 days of early voting during this first election, I disagree with the idea of jumping into less days of early voting. First of all, this was a primary election, something that often get much less voter turnout. Secondly, this was the first election with early voting. Many people were unaware of their opportunity to vote early. As people get used to this, I believe people will learn to take advantage of this. Let’s give this a few elections before we jump to the conclusion that this needs to be changed. Come November, I’m sure we will see a different picture of early voting.
How about cutting it down to 3 days as you recommend and only allowing absentee ballots? Do away with mail-in ballots as everyone gets one and can be easily used for ballot stuffing. Every person recently deceased and in nursing homes will get a ballot and can easily be intercepted. Vote in person or absentee ballots only… as was the procedure for years and worked well.
Yes DTOM and let’s make sure like your orange god said at his Michigan stump to make sure you get out and vote on November 27th , just make sure when you’re standing in line to be wearing your fools gold sneakers.
Not so fast, Mr. Editor.
This was a primary to nominate a Democratic incumbent president. On the GOP ballot was choice of a former president or a former UN Ambassador (whom the former president nominated for the UN position)/former GOP South Carolina governor, along with multiple names on the GOP ballot who had already dropped out.
This wasn’t a November presidential election year or the off-year elections for MI’s governor, attorney general and secretary of state, congressional races, state legislative races along with county and municipal races.
Wait until November. Then your disagreement with the new law may have merit.