Up North Progressive

Are you finally fed up with the good ole boy network running Washington D.C. and Lansing? Have you reached a point where the ever-rising levels of chaos, incompetence, and downright hate, spite, and contempt of the GOP towards anyone who isn’t white, male, rich, and Christian motivating you to do something about it? Feeling drained and outraged over the cover-up by the GOP to railroad an alcoholic sex predator into the Supreme Court? You can do something about it: VOTE.

Tuesday, October 9, 2018, is the last day in Michigan you can register to vote on November 6, 2018. You can apply by mail as long as the postmark on the application is October 9, 2018. This year the Republicans were successful in eliminating straight-ticket voting which means longer lines at the polls. Republicans hate it when more people vote, which is all the more reason you need to register to vote, go vote on November 6 and STAY IN LINE until you do vote.

If standing in line due to age or disability keeps you from voting, apply for an absentee ballot. If this is your first time voting and you are disabled or a senior, voting in person requirements are waived. Register to vote and apply for your absentee ballot. Republicans in Michigan also require voters to have a photo ID. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A DRIVER’S LICENSE. Student ID, military ID, tribal ID, passports, or any ID that has your photo on it is legal ID to vote. Don’t let the poll workers intimidate you with their scanners.

Now Up North Progressive can use lots of words to explain why it’s important that everyone who can legally vote get out to the polls on November 6. Pictures, however, will do a much better job.

If we can raise voter participation to 50 percent in Michigan, the Republicans are finished. They know this, which is why they require photo ID and took away straight-ticket voting. Republicans want you to feel frustrated. Republicans want you to get out of line and go home. Republicans want you to feel like your vote doesn’t count. Voter suppression and disenfranchisement is the only way Republicans can win.

This year, there are two ballot proposals that will help Michiganians vote in the future. Proposal 2 will require a non-partisan commission to draw up voting districts for future elections, rather than the Republicans in Lansing hand-picking their voters so they never lose, even when the majority of Michigan voters don’t vote for them. Proposal 3 will make it much easier to vote by having automatic voter registration, same-day registration, straight-ticket voting, and no-reason absentee voting. These proposals need your vote to pass.

Please register to vote. Please vote on November 6, 2018.