By Frederick Nienstedt and Patrice Johnson | March 4, 2024
To suggest the possibility of corruption in our elections can feel like driving a stake into the heart of America. Honest citizen engagement runs in the bloodstream of U.S. elections, and decentralized elections, administered by clerks, duly elected or appointed by their peers, is fundamental to the process. The steady pulse of local control stimulates confidence and trust. Today, the systemic health of Michigan elections is threatened to the extent that we now question whether we are in a battle for votes or ballots.
Recent changes to our state Constitution introduced a new electoral reality to our voting processes. After the 2018 mid-term election, changes included greatly expanded mail-in voting, unsupervised drop boxes, and even private monies were allowed to fund—and influence—our state’s elections. Automatic voter registration with loose to non-existent citizenship checks has put us in the awkward position of having to contend with threats to the bedrock principle of one legal vote for every legal citizen.
These changes and others have introduced an opportunity for fraudulent votes to enter the ballot stream in our state. Meanwhile, faulty directions from the Secretary of State threaten local control.
What can we do? We can give up and turn out backs on this great nation, or we can dig in and become involved. We can work the elections. Run for office. Dive into the processes with the goal of re-establishing the integrity of elections and good governance. The Founding Fathers were adamant: The foundation of the republic depends on an engaged and informed public.
As Thomas Jefferson wrote to his friend Richard Price on Jan. 8. 1789:
“…wherever the people are well informed they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.”
Never before has Jefferson's statement rung more true.
Learn how We The People can win back and secure OUR Future.
Join us Thursday, March 7th at 12 PM for
MFE's Coalition Task Force Meeting
Registration is required to attend the meeting.
You MUST use the link below for the March 7th meeting.
After registering, you will receive an email with details on how to join the meeting.
Note: Representatives of the media are allowed in our meetings only with permission.
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You're Invited to a PIME Meeting March 9, 2024
Join us at our March 9th Pure Integrity Michigan Elections (PIME) monthly meeting.
This month's keynote speaker will be Phani Mantravadi, key developer of checkmyvote.org.
Learn about ongoing efforts to clean up voter rolls, and how YOU can help.
Get updates from the team on election legislation, upcoming events, ballot initiatives, fundraising, and on-going litigation.
It's a pot-luck, so come hungry and bring a dish to pass if you are so inclined.
Can't make this month's meeting? Click the link below to see our schedule for upcoming speakers, including William Wagner, Jason Woolford, and David Kallman.
Hope to see you there!
Mark your calendars to attend Election Integrity Network's outstanding national working groups. Consider also serving as liaison to report to MFE's Task Force Coalition on our Thursday meetings.
Citizen Research Project | Ned Jones, EIN
Every Tuesday at 6 p.m. (ET)
Election Technology | Jim Womack, NCEIT
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 4 p.m. (ET)
Introduction to Election Integrity Infrastructure | Kerri Toloczko and Ned Jones, EIN
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 7 p.m. (ET)
Vote By Mail / USPS | Ned Jones, EIN
Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 4 p.m. (ET)
Legislative Development | Kathleen Harms, TN
Every Wednesday at 2 p.m. (ET)
Voter Roll Maintenance | Willard Helander, EIN
Every Wednesday at 4 p.m. (ET)
Vulnerable Voters | Kerri Toloczko, EIN
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 4 p.m. (ET)
Every 1st Thursday at 7 p.m. (ET)
Election Audits | Mike Raisch
Every 1st and 3rd Thursday at 4 p.m. (ET)
Building Local Task Forces | Joshua Taylor
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 7 p.m. (ET)
Media Training | Kerri Toloczko
Every 1st Thursday at 7 p.m. (ET)
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the authors and do not reflect the official position of the Michigan Fair Elections. Every article written by an MFE author is generated by the author or editor alone. Links embedded within the article, however, may have been generated by artificial intelligence.