Reposted from Dec. 16, 2021
by Patrice Johnson
On Thursday, Dec. 16, this writer received a text message from John Crawford with Keep Our 50 States:
It looks like we did it! Reports are that Saul Anuzis is PULLING THE PLUG on the National Popular Vote petition here in Michigan! He is very much aware of the huge buzz saw that we grassroots organizations had prepared in waiting for them,. You have no idea how much I appreciate all you PIME supporters have done, and especially on this super-important cause to protect our Constitution against the NPV. I just wanted to give you an early heads up. --John Crawford
Crawford said he got wind of the news “from my national allies in Oklahoma and Trent England, who testified with us at the October Canvassers hearing.” Crawford indicated a staffer at Anuzis' office in New York City also confirmed the story. Then Bridge Michigan published confirmation. “A bipartisan group pushing to elect presidents based on the national popular vote is pulling the plug on plans for a 2022 ballot proposal in Michigan, organizers confirmed Thursday.” National Popular Vote compact won’t make Michigan 2022 ballot Saul Anuzis, former head of the Michigan GOP, was hired to convince Michiganders to swallow the NPV pill. If enacted by Michigan with its 15 electors, plus states with another 24 electors, the NPV would have gone into effect. It would have compelled our state’s presidential electors to support the candidate who won the most votes nationally, instead of honoring their constitutional duty to stand for the will of the people of Michigan. In other words, had the NPV prevailed, it threatened to ring a death knell for states’ rights, the electoral college, and the federal system of checks and balances that our republic’s founders installed. High-population east and west coasts would have gained control of the country. Anuzis indicated NPV will continue to work to get on the ballot in 2024, but it appears this enemy may have met its Waterloo in Michigan...for now.
“Strategically,” the ebullient Crawford said, “this victory for us in Michigan in this 13-year long fight with these guys might well be a mortal blow for them. I think we are showing them that this is all they'll get. Fifteen states, plus DC.”
The push for the NPV started in 2004 and signed Maryland as its first state in 2007. As of April, 2021, the liberal-sponsored effort had accrued 195 of the 270 electoral votes needed to go into effect across the nation.
"This has been a long slug fest," Crawford added. PIME’s role. On October 22, 2021, a township clerk sent a cryptic email to pureintegrityforme@gmail.com. “Please see below the proposed legislation that will be considered by the Board of State Canvassers next week.” One look at the agenda, and alarm bells sounded at PIME. The Board of State Canvassers was duty bound to consider, “The 100-word summary of purpose of the initiative petition submitted by Yes on National Popular Vote.” This writer contacted Norm Shinkle, (R) Chair of the State Board of Canvassers. Throughout the weekend the two exchanged emails, with PIME offering drafts it hoped would pull back the curtain and allow potential voters to see the truth behind the petitioners' smoke and mirrors. Meanwhile, PIME's legislative committee and members of other collaborative organizations went to work researching the unconstitutionality of the NPV. On Oct. 26, Becky Behrends, Jim Johnson, Kathy McClinchey, Krysten Smith, Alex Weddon, and this writer traveled to the hearing at the Delta Township building. There they met other grassroots groups, all armed with facts, all eager to testify in opposition. Thanks to a mighty team effort, Jonathan Brater, Director of Elections for the Democrat Secretary of State, acquiesced to language stripping the summary paragraph of its misleading “one person, one vote” marketing hype. Chairman Shinkle circulated two alternative 100-word summaries, one of them verbatim from PIME. Board member Tony Daunt (R) made a motion for compromise language, and the Board of State Canvassers voted to approve. The adopted paragraph wasn’t all PIME had wished for, but it moved closer to fair. Since that high-intensity meeting, grassroots and GOP county organizations have waved red flags, warning of the coming ballot petition. Two months into the process, the NPV petitioners are withdrawing from the Great Lakes State. It’s kaput. Fin. Muerto.
For now. “A huge thanks to all you hardworking PIME patriots,” writes Rebecca Behrends, MD, of grassroots organization Michigan Citizens for Election Integrity. “Your fellow patriots salute you! Keep up the great work!” Patrice Johnson is Chair of Pure Integrity for Michigan Elections and may be reached at email: pureintegrityforme@gmail.com. PIME's website: https://pureintegritymichiganelections.org