Public News Service

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Election Assistance Commission, there are approximately 168 million registered voters in the United States. (Framestock/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

MI voting group energized for National Voter Registration Day

As Michigan gears up for November's pivotal presidential election, the League of Women Voters of Michigan is ramping up efforts to make this National …

Urban districts and districts with the greatest proportions of economically disadvantaged and Black students have more novice teachers. (Reese/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

MI educators sound alarm about the future of teaching

Educators in Michigan and nationwide are voicing concerns politics are demoralizing teachers and discouraging others from entering the profession at a…

The men competing for the open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan are more likely to be self-financing their campaigns than the women. (dark_blade/Adobe Stock)

MI women rise in politics, but funding disparities exist

Michigan women are making gains in state politics, ranking 14th nationally for the number serving in the legislature. However, the latest analysis …

The AARP survey of likely 2024 voters in 40 U.S. House districts reveals a fierce battle ahead for control of this chamber of Congress. (Danny/Adobe Stock)

AARP survey reveals key concerns of older voters in MI

New survey results from AARP shed some light on the top concerns of Michigan seniors and how these issues are likely to shape their voting decisions i…

Over the years, acts of Congress have altered the number of seats on the Supreme Court, from a low of five to a high of 10. Shortly after the Civil War, the number of seats on the court was fixed at nine. (bbourdages)

Voting rights group targets MI in SCOTUS campaign

Polls consistently show Michigan as a critical battleground in this year's presidential election, with more than 8.3 million registered voters in the …

The 2024 Summer U.S. Conference of Mayors in Kansas City, Mo., will be under the leadership of its president, Mayor Hillary Schieve of Reno, Nev., and host Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. <br />(SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock)

MI mayor shifts priorities at conference after mass shooting in his city

Some Michigan mayors are out of the office this week - but still working for their cities. They're at the 92nd meeting of the United States …

Proposal 2 overwhelmingly passed in 2022, amending the Michigan Constitution to allow for certain voter rights, including early voting in federal and state elections. (Hunman/Adobe Stock)

MI voting group fights disinformation

As the 2024 presidential elections approach, the nonpartisan Michigan League of Women Voters is intensifying its efforts to combat disinformation …

Presidential elections in Michigan have been close lately, with Trump winning by about 11,000 votes in 2016 and Biden capturing the state by about 150,000 in 2020. (Ayman Haykal)

MI seen as 'must have' state for Biden or Trump win

Political experts have deemed Michigan a swing state, not knowing which way it's going to vote in this year's presidential election. They say …

Las elecciones presidenciales en Michigan han sido re�idas �ltimamente: Trump gan� por unos 11.000 votos en 2016 y Biden gan� el estado por unos 150.000 en 2020. (Ayman Haykal)

MI visto como estado 'imprescindible' para el triunfo de Biden o Trump en 2024

Los expertos políticos han considerado a Michigan como un "estado indeciso", sin saber de qué manera votará en las elecciones …

A joint fundraising committee like that set up for Rep. Rashid Tlaib, D-Mich. enables donors to contribute up to $13,200 during an election cycle, which can then be divided among multiple candidates. (Chad Davis/Wikimedia Commons)

Tlaib and 'Squad' rally $100 million defense against AIPAC backlash

In the midst of political tensions surrounding Israel's handling of the conflict with Hamas, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., has voiced her support for …

Wayne State University was named nationally as a top 15 Voter Friendly Campus last October, out of 262 U.S. institutions. It's the only one in Michigan, according to the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, Student Affairs in Higher Education. (Adobe Stock)

Michigan voting: Major changes enhance access for fall elections

Michigan's upcoming fall elections will highlight significant strides in voting accessibility. Recent measures, such as nine days of early voting and …

The Council on American-Islamic Relations estimates there are about 2.2 million American Muslim voters in the U.S., up from its previous estimate of almost 1.79 million. (pressmaster/Adobe Stock)

Primary results: Are Michigan Dems committed to 'uncommitted?'

More than 100,000 people voted "uncommitted" in Michigan's presidential primary. What happens next will be, at least in part, up to President Joe …

Automotive manufacturer Ford estimates it will create 2,500 new American jobs through its EV production plant in Marshall. (sofirinaja/Adobe Stock)

Trump attempts appeal to Michigan's waning Biden support

Early voting for primaries in Michigan began this weekend. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., in a change from Democratic support, urged voters to block …

More than half of Dearborn's nearly 110,000 residents are of Middle Eastern or north African origin.(munir/Adobe Stock)

Many Dearborn residents reconsider voting for Biden in upcoming election

Biden administration officials traveled to Dearborn on Thursday to meet Muslim and Arab-American community leaders, in an effort to repair relations …

The idea of vital documents being made ready in time for a person's re-entry to society began as a pilot program launched in September 2020 across four state prisons and has expanded across the entire Michigan Department of Corrections. (wolfhound911/Adobe Stock)

Vital document release to prevent Michigan recidivism

Most legally free Michiganders possess their vital records, but some people recently coming back to society after incarceration do not. A package of …

Uninsured people are more likely to support public health insurance programs, but are less likely to vote than people with health insurance, according to the American College of Physicians. Studies show this trend has contributed to a lack of Medicaid expansion in states that could benefit from it. (vejaa/Adobe Stock)

Doctors: Nation's health care system can only be improved through voting

Voting is not only good for democracy, it is also good for your health, according to one of the nation's largest medical associations. The American …

Rashida Tlaib is the only Palestinian American and just one of two Muslim Women in Congress. (SuperBasementBoy/flickr.com)

Censured Michigan congresswoman says she will not be silenced

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, the sole Palestinian-American voice in Congress, was officially reprimanded last Tuesday, but many of her colleagues say …

More than 30,000 labor activists have signed a letter calling on top U.S. union leaders to

Postal Workers become largest union to demand ceasefire in Gaza

One of the nation's largest labor unions has become the latest organization to demand a ceasefire in Gaza as Israel's war with Hamas plays out…

Pipeline Number 5 lies beneath the Straits of Mackinaw. Opponents claim the aging oil line threatens the largest freshwater system in the world. (ehrlif/Adobe Stock)

Fast-track Line 5 permitting push met with protest

Michigan's Senate GOP pushed for fast track of Enbridge's Line 5 tunnel construction at a press conference this week. Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor …

Michigan's Voting Rights Act would provide curbside voting and establishes protections for voters with disabilities. It also allows organizers to arrange rides to the polls for voters during elections. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Michigan voting rights advocates push for lifting language, other barriers

Michigan lawmakers are set to consider a new Voting Rights Act for the state by next week. Introduced in June, Senate Bills 401, 402, 403 and 404 …

The first election in which early voting is constitutionally required in Michigan will be the 2024 presidential preference primary. (Lisa Carter/Adobe Stock)

Early voting available soon for some Michiganders

CLARIFICATION: Information has been added to clarify that there are multiple pilot programs, and that early voting will not be widely available in …

National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating democracy. It has gained momentum since it was first observed in 2012. (Robert Yap/Adobe Stock)

Today is National Voter Registration Day

Today is National Voter Registration Day. Michiganders have many locations where they can register to vote, such as community colleges, universities…

The Americans with Disabilities Act, the Voting Rights Act and the Helping America Vote Act, as well as Michigan election laws, require accessible voting for all. The policies have been in place for decades. (PondShots/Adobe Stock)

Poll Accessibility Could Mean 60 Million More Voters

In Michigan and across the country, nearly 25% of the population encounters challenges in voting and accessing the polls. The Carter Center and …

In 2018, Michigan's Proposal 3 was touted as a

Report Cites 'Flawed' Voter Purges as Unfair

There are many good reasons for states to update their voter rolls in preparation for elections, but a new report contended many are too zealous …

Miigwech Inc. represents 12 federally recognized tribes. (Philip Hutchinson/Northern Territory Photography)

Our Vote as Our Voice: Rocking the Native Vote in Michigan

With elections on the horizon, Indigenous groups in Michigan are educating native communities about how they can make their voices heard to make …

The U.S. Census Bureau says Asian-Pacific Islanders make up a growing part of America's immigrant community. (Adobe Stock)

Community Group Helps Asian-Pacific Island Migrants Adjust to Life in U.S.

Thousands of immigrants arrive in the United States every year, knowing very little about the language, culture and civic ways of their new homeland…

According to the Pew Research Center, adults in all age groups, except those younger than 30, are far more likely to trust information from national and local news outlets than from social media. (Farknot Architect/Adobe Stock)

Editor: News Outlets Must Do Better to Regain Consumers' Trust

Americans continue to have little faith in the mainstream news media, with many people under the age of 30 saying they trust information from social …

Michigan elections officials say most of the ballots from next week's midterm elections should be counted within several hours after the polls close, but final results could take a few days. (richjem/Adobe Stock)

MI Election Officials Wary of GOP-Trained Poll Workers Disrupting Midterms

Elections officials in Michigan and other states are on the lookout for organized disruptions of Tuesday's midterm elections, but say they're …

The number of absentee ballots requested by Michigan voters increased by 73% between the 2018 and 2020 elections, according to the Michigan Secretary of State. (JimCanally/Adobe Stock)

Voter Advocates Say Absentee Ballots Take Hassle Out of Election Day

CLARIFICATION: Lynna Kaucheck is the communications manager for Progress Michigan, and the group is not a sponsor of MichiganVoting.org. Dates to …

El n�mero de votos en ausencia solicitados por los votantes de Michigan aument� un 73% entre las elecciones de 2018 y 2020, seg�n el Secretario de Estado de Michigan. (JimCanally/Adobe Stock)

Defensores afirman que el voto por correo elimina la molestia de la jornada electoral

Aclaración: El grupo Progress Michigan no es patrocinador de MichiganVoting.org. También fueron aclaradas las fechas para pedir y devolver …

Michigan voters will decide on a number of races and proposals on the Nov. 8 midterm elections. (1STunningART/Adobe Stock)

MI Groups Say it's Time to Get Ready to Vote in Midterm Elections

The midterm elections are coming up on Nov. 8, and advocates are reminding Michiganders to plan now on how, when, and where they will cast their …

Millions of dollars in outside spending have entered Michigan's primary race. (Adobe Stock)

Progressive Jewish Voters Sound Alarms About Outside Spending in MI Primary

CORRECTION: The organization's name is Jewish Voice for Peace Action. (8:05 a.m. MST, Aug. 1, 2022) Tomorrow is the primary election in Michigan…

One project in Michigan receiving an AARP Community Challenge grant plans to foster an environment of healthy eating and physical activity through community gardening. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Grants Awarded to MI Groups to Make Communities More Age-Friendly

Five projects in Michigan have been awarded grants from AARP to make communities more livable, especially for older residents. Types of projects …

Michigan does not allow split-ticket voting in the primary election. (Adobe Stock)

MI Voting Rights Group: Make a Plan to Vote Next Week

Next Tuesday is the primary election in Michigan, and groups such as the Voting Access for All Coalition are encouraging people to make a plan to …

The Michigan Legislature has been controlled by Republicans since redistricting in 2010, despite Democrats doing well in many statewide races. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Supreme Court to Consider 'Independent State Legislature' Theory

During its next session, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider the legal validity of the "Independent State Legislature" theory. The case could cause …

Promote the Vote 2022 announced Monday it has collected nearly 670,000 signatures to get its amendment on the ballot. (Promote the Vote)

MI Voting, Reproductive Freedom Ballot Campaigns Submit Signatures

Two constitutional amendment campaigns submitted signatures Monday to qualify to appear on the November ballot, one called "Promote the Vote 2022" …

Twice as many voters with disabilities reported experienced difficulty voting in 2020 as voters without a disability. (John Davis/Adobe Stock)

MI Disability Group: Tips for More Inclusive Political Campaigns, Elections

With the 2022 elections nearing, groups in Michigan are working to educate political campaigns on how to become more accessible to voters with …

Michigan's new congressional voting district map is available on the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistrict Commission's website, along with the state House and Senate maps. (michigan.gov)

Municipal Clerk: What to Know Ahead of Aug. 2 Primary

Mail-in ballots will soon go out to voters who have requested them ahead of the Aug. 2 primary in Michigan. Municipal clerks across the state are …

Nearly 70% of voters who identify as independents said they oppose overturning Roe v. Wade, according to a WDIV/Detroit News poll released in January. (vivalapenler/Adobe Stock)

MI Groups Sound "Trigger" Law Alarm if SCOTUS Overturns Roe

Michigan lawmakers and pro-choice advocates were among those gathering Tuesday at courthouses, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to protect a …

Michigan lost one congressional seat after the 2020 census apportionment. (My Districting Michigan)

MI Good-Government Groups: Check Your Districts Before Election Time

New Michigan voting district maps went into effect last week, and officials now are working to update the voter rolls. Despite ongoing litigation…

This redistricting cycle was the first time an independent commission drew new congressional and legislative maps. (Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission)

Litigation Ongoing Over Michigan's New Voting-District Maps

With new voting-district maps finalized by Michigan's new independent commission, it's now on to the litigation phase of redistricting. One lawsuit …

Five people died in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021m riot at the U.S. Capitol. (Wikimedia Commons)

MI Republicans Face Jan. 6th Congressional Committee

Two Michigan Republicans were called to testify on Tuesday before the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and …

Voters age 50 and older represent the majority of people who cast absentee ballots, and during the last three elections, this age group made up from 55% to 60% of Michigan voters. (WESTOCK/Adobe Stock)

Senior Advocates: Don't Require Partial Social Security Numbers to Vote

Advocates for older Michiganders are voicing concerns about a petition that could add barriers to voting and even put a voter's personal information a…

In a poll out this week from the University of Massachusetts, 58% of Americans said they support making Election Day a holiday. (dark_blade/Adobe Stock)

MI Groups Combat Election Misinformation, Urge Democracy Reform

Community groups have held vigils across Michigan this week to call for voting and democracy reform on the anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack …

In 2018, voters approved changes to the election code to make it easier to vote. (Pamela Au/Adobe Stock)

MI Petition Seeks to Overrule Governor's Veto on Restrictive Voter ID Law

A petition from the group "Secure MI Vote" is aiming to circumvent Michigan's regular legislative channels and pass laws restricting many residents' a…

Detroit residents get their opportunity today (Thursday) to share with the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission what parts of their city need to be kept together in redrawing voting-district maps. (ink drop/Adobe Stock)

MI Redistricting Commission to Take Final Vote on New Maps

DETROIT -- The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission holds a public meeting today in Detroit, to hear what people think about new …

Michigan lawmakers have introduced legislation to end prison gerrymandering, but so far it has not progressed. (McKee Digital/Adobe Stock)

Redistricting Commission Seeks Public Input on New Maps

DETROIT -- The first of five public hearings on the latest drafts of Michigan's new voting district maps takes place today in Detroit. The final maps …

Between 2020 and 2021, LGBTQ elected officials in the U.S. increased by 17 percent, with 986 now serving. (Ivan Burchak/AdobeStock)

MI Groups: Keep LGBTQ Communities Together in New Voting Maps

LANSING, Mich. -- Michiganders are drawing new voting-district maps, with help from data from the 2020 census, but advocates for LGBTQ political …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

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MI: Civic Engagement & Voting