FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022
CONTACT: Stephanie Cepak, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, scepak@byrumfisk.com
Faith organizations endorse Proposal 2
Ballot initiative will help modernize Michigan elections to make sure every voice is heard and every vote is counted
Lansing, Mich. – Faith groups serving communities across Michigan today announced their support for Proposal 2, a ballot initiative that will provide voters with the confidence that their voice will be heard, and their vote counted no matter what political party or candidate they support, where they live or what they look like.
“Voting is a kind of prayer for the world we wish to create for ourselves and our children, and every eligible voter deserves to make their voice heard in an open, fair and inclusive democracy,” said Fr. Norman P. Thomas, pastor for the Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance. “Proposal 2 can help fulfil the hope of all Michiganders for safe, secure and accessible elections. As a faith community, we are excited to support Proposal 2 and do our part to help overcome barriers so all eligible voters can weigh in on the future of their communities.”
“When we cast our ballot, we are embracing our shared humanity,” said Sean J. Kenny, lead pastor for Church of Social Justice in Grand Rapids. “Efforts to make voting more accessible and secure so more people can engage in our democracy, as Proposal 2 does, affirms our commitment to our nation and to our multi-racial, multi-ethnic democracy. Elections are at their best when more eligible voters are engaged and Proposal 2 can help strengthen Michigan’s democracy”
“Proposal 2 enshrines the right to vote in Michigan’s Constitution, helping ensure that eligible voters can cast their ballot without intimidation or interference, which is a goal we support as an organization committed to including all voices in community building,” said Robert Anderson, Board Member of Michigan Catholics for the Common Good. “By protecting access to the ballot box, Proposal 2 can help center the experiences of Black Americans, Latino/Hispanic Americans and other marginalized and under-represented population. By providing more options for working families and individuals who may face barriers to voting, Proposal 2 can help expand participation in our democracy and ground it in a shared sense of community.”
Promote the Vote 2022, the campaign supporting Proposal 2, noted the key provisions of the ballot initiative:
- Recognize the fundamental right to vote without harassing conduct.
- Require military or overseas ballots to be counted if postmarked by Election Day.
- Continue current law that provides voters the right to verify identity with photo ID or signed statement.
- Provide the voter right to a single application to vote absentee in all elections.
- Require state-funded absentee-ballot drop boxes, and postage for absentee applications and ballots.
- Provide that only election officials may conduct post-election audits.
- Require nine days of early in-person voting.
- Allow donations to fund election administration, which must be disclosed.
- Require canvass boards to certify election results based only on the official records of votes cast.
Paid for with regulated funds by Promote the Vote 2022, 600 W. St Joseph Street, Suite 3G, Lansing, MI 48933-2288.
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