While we don’t know what the future holds with Covid, everyone still has a voice in our community and government. Make sure yours is heard!
Census Reminder
There was a recent milestone in the 2020 Census: More than half of the households in our nation have responded—that’s nearly 80 million responses!
However, there is still work to do.
You may not have much time left to take the Census. The deadline for completing the 2020 Census is September 30.
Although Governor Whitmer and others are pushing the Census Bureau to reconsider and retain the original deadline, you are encouraged to complete the Census as soon as possible.
There are a number of different languages supported by phone. A more accurate count in our area means more money for roads, schools, and hospitals.
Visit the Census website to complete the
Census and help ensure an accurate count.
To complete the Census over the phone,
call 844-330-2020 for help in multiple
languages.
The Census helps Washtenaw County get its appropriate share of State and Federal resources.
Voting: From the Past to Our Present
When our country was founded, only white male property owners could vote. Women had no voice in the laws affecting their lives. This year marks the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote in the United States. Women fought for 72 years to finally win that right on August 26, 1920.
Even after this milestone, minority women and men still had to fight for, and win suffrage:
• Native Americans —1947
• Asian Americans —1952
• African Americans —1965
Although African American men had supposedly won the right to vote at the end of the Civil War, many states continued to deny them that right. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 finally guaranteed African Americans their voting rights.
Others are still waiting. In some states people who have served time for a felony are not allowed to vote even after they have been released.
There is still work to be done. Some provisions of the Voting Rights Act have been repealed, and voter suppression continues in the form of reducing the number of open polls, shortening voting hours at the polls, purging voter lists, and more.
But YOU have the right to vote. Use it!
View the Exhibit
The League of Women Voters has a virtual exhibit celebrating this anniversary.
At the Votes for Women website, you’ll find pictures, historical facts, virtual tours, and writing prompts to help you reflect on this moment.
Did You Know...
• Only 17% of registered voters in Ypsilanti voted in the 2016 presidential election.
• Every voter has the right to get an absentee ballot.
» People who aren’t yet registered to vote can get registered, get an absentee ballot, and vote – all in one visit to their Clerk’s office.
» Find your Clerk at their website clerk along with information on returning your ballot.
• Voting from home is a safe way to vote and protect your health, and the process is secure.
The local election clerk will not issue a ballot until they have verified the completed, signed application. The ballot envelope must also be signed and verified for the ballot to count.
Michigan uses paper ballots, which is the most secure way to conduct elections, as they can be audited and recounted.
• You can still decide to vote in person if you get an absentee ballot.
Michigan voters can track their ballot by visiting the government website.
• There are free helpers on-call to help you register to vote or get an absentee ballot. (1-855-VOTE-311).
• For more information or to check your voting status/locations visit Michigan gov’s website or 411vote here.
• You should bring a valid ID if you vote in person.
If you don’t have one, you’ll have to sign an affidavit before you’ll receive your ballot. For more information on required identification, click here.
• To learn about the candidates and issues visit Vote411’s website.
Absentee Voting Reminder
All registered voters in Michigan now have the right to vote by mail.
It’s a safe way to vote and protect your health, and the process is secure and accurate.
For the first time, everyone will receive an application for an absentee ballot in the mail.
You can return it to your local Clerk’s office by mail or in person to receive your ballot. First, visit the Secretary of State website.
Then just mail your ballot in to your local clerk’s office to have them counted.
Need help registering to vote or applying for an absentee ballot?
The nonpartisan Voting Helpline is available for whatever help you need. Email
[email protected] or call:
1-855-VOTE-311 (1-855 868-3311). A helper can also get you a free Voting Kit.
The Kit provides everything needed to register to vote, get an absentee ballot, and return your ballot (forms, stamps, pen, and a helper on the phone!) The deadline to receive a kit is September 30.
These non-partisan services are provided by the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (ICPJ) and The UUAA Civic Engagement team.
Events on Voting
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