In Kalamazoo County, Sheriff Richard Fuller speaks to On the Ground Lead Writer Al Jones about historically low numbers of jail inmates — and the programs that are in place or upcoming, such as IGNITE, that will likely shrink detentions further.

Link to Full Article

The post Kalamazoo County Jail numbers are down; new programs likely to bring them lower appeared first on Voting Access For All.

The post Reminder: Friday March 29, 2024 VAAC Weekly Meeting is Cancelled. appeared first on Voting Access For All.

A powerful evening of poetry and music that sheds light on the dark impact of incarceration.

The darkness of incarceration extends far beyond prison walls, affecting families, communities, and individuals in profound ways. This event aims to illuminate these impacts through the power of poetry and music, offering a platform for voices often silenced and raising awareness for a more just system.

Date: Wednesday, March 27th, 2024

Time: 6:00-8:00PM

Location:
Stage One at Sycamore Creek Eastwood
2200 Lake Lansing Rd.
Lansing, MI 48912

Tickets:
This is a FREE event, but please RSVP on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/illuminating-darkness…

Share this event with your friends and family. Let’s illuminate the darkness together.

This is hosted by the Citizens For Prison Reform / Open MI Door and sponsored by Nation Outside. 

See less

The post Illuminating Darkness Event March 27 in Lansing appeared first on Voting Access For All.

The Special Election for State House Districts 13 and 25 is on April 16, and local elections are being held in communities across the state on May 7. With the Special Election for House Districts 13 and 25 only four weeks away, this week’s Digital Digest has all the key dates you need to know: 

• Now: Absentee ballots must be available to voters. If you live in House District 13 or 25, you can request your absentee ballot online or submit a paper application, or you can request a ballot, fill it out, and return it in person at your city or township clerk’s office.  
• April 1: This is the last day to register to vote online or by mail. Starting on April 2, if you want to vote in the April 16 special election, you’ll need to register in person at your city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency. 
• April 2: This is the last day we recommend dropping your ballot in the mail. Starting April 3, we recommend dropping your ballot off at your city or township clerk’s office or in a secure drop box provided by your clerk. 
• April 15: If you’re already registered to vote where you live, you can vote absentee in person at your city or township clerk’s office until 4 p.m. on April 15. 
• April 16: Election Day for those in House Districts 13 and 25! If you’re already registered to vote, you can vote at your polling location from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you need to register or update your registration, you can do so at your city or township clerk’s office until 8 p.m. (and once registered, you can complete an absentee ballot at your clerk’s office). For most voters your absentee ballot must be received by your city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day, April 16. However, if you’re serving in the military or living overseas, your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by your city or township clerk by Monday, April 22.

The post Special Elections in April and May appeared first on Voting Access For All.

From our friends at Michigan Center for Youth Justice
 
As our bi-annual Gala, Advocacy in Action, approaches on May 17th, we’d like to hightlight a few reasons to join us for this exciting and inspiring Spring event:

• It’s been an incredible year of progress in the scope of youth justice reform in Michigan! With the enactment of the Justice for Kids and Communities legislation, we have a lot to celebrate! Hear more from our executive director, Jason Smith, about how MCYJ will play a role in assuring effective implementation of these monumental changes.
• Keynote speaker, Candice C. Jones, President and CEO of the Public Welfare Foundation (PWF), is joining us from her homebase in Washington D.C.! Candice will speak to PWF’s broad investments in the justice reform realm as well as to the incredible progress being made here in Michigan.
• Live music from the talented teens that make up the Ypsilanti Youth Orchestra Jazz Ensemble! This organization, based in Ann Arbor’s sister city, serves young people of diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic status to provide a tuition-free musical education.
• We will honor, and hear from, three incredible advocates (one of them under the age of 18!) who have made significant contributions to youth justice within our state. 
• There are numerous ways to engage in contributing to our work, through purchasing or donating a sliding-scale ticket to the event; bidding on an item from our silent auction; or participating in the fun of a live auction (including trip packages and more!) during the evening’s program. 
• Lastly, at a minimum, you’ll enjoy a delicious strolling dinner, drinks, and networking, at the beautiful Venue by 4M!

Learn more about the event on our webpage at www.miyouthjustice.org/events and purchase your  tickets today!

The post Michigan Center for Youth Justice Gala, Advocacy and Action on May 17th appeared first on Voting Access For All.

As with Michigan’s other statewide and federal elections, there are three ways to vote in this election: before Election Day by absentee ballot (from home or at your local clerk’s office), before Election Day at an early voting site, or in person on Election Day. However, the Presidential Primary is different in one important way: Michigan law requires all voters to select a ballot style – Republican, Democratic, or local (if available) – to vote in the Presidential Primary.

Choosing a ballot style to vote in the Presidential Primary does not mean you’re
joining that party. For example, someone who doesn’t support any political party can
choose to vote a Republican ballot. Or someone who identifies with the Republican Party can choose to vote a Democratic ballot. Moreover, your ballot selection for any particular presidential primary will not impact your ability to choose a different ballot style for a future presidential primary or to vote for different parties in the future. For more details, please check out our one-pager: Michigan’s Presidential Primary: Everything You Need to Know.

If you joined the Permanent Mail Ballot List (PMBL) before applying for your Presidential
Primary ballot, you should already have received a form in the mail from your local clerk
asking you to select a ballot style. Permanent mail ballot voters must complete this form
in order to receive an absentee ballot for the Presidential Primary! If you’re on the
PMBL, but you haven’t received a selection form, contact your local clerk ASAP.

Check your voter registration, register to vote, learn how, when and where you can vote, and more at https://votingaccessforall.org/vote/

The post To vote in the Presidential Primary you will select a ballot style – Republican, Democratic, or local (if available) appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Hello VAAC Community,

Please join our community coalition call EVERY FRIDAY at 12:30 PM ET.

• Join via our ZOOM link , or scan the QR code below.
• Here is a link to our Agenda for tomorrow.

We look forward to seeing you every Friday at 12:30 PM ET as we actively strive for systemic liberation, equality, social and economic justice, and the expansion of voting rights for ALL who are justice-impacted.

We deeply appreciate YOU, our valued community, as we collaborate, mobilize and unite to create meaningful solutions.

The post Join Voting Access for All (VAAC) Friday Coalition Call! appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Our VAAC voter outreach material, including posters and post cards, have QR codes linking to this page, so that voters can get information on upcoming elections, how to register to vote, and their options for casting a vote.

Be sure to check it out.

The post VAAC Voting Page Updated with 2024 Election Information appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Join us next Friday, January 12, 2024 at 12:30 PM ET as we kick off the new year. At the end of last year many of you participated in our strategy interviews to help define our way forward. Please join us as we start to put your ideas into actions for 2024. Whether you’re a familiar face or new to our coalition, your presence and voice are vital.

We have a new ZOOM link since November, for our Friday VAAC meetings.

Join us to reconnect with fellow coalition members, contribute your thoughts, and be a part of the collective effort to create meaningful solutions. Your participation drives our collaborative efforts forward, and we deeply appreciate your ongoing support.

Thank you for being an essential part of the VAAC community. We deeply appreciate YOU, our valued community, as we collaborate, mobilize and unite to create meaningful solutions.

The post VAAC Friday meeting returns January 12, 2024 appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Sign up here to learn more and volunteer at the VAAC table.

The post  Join VAAC at 2nd Annual Justice Resource Fair on 9/24 appeared first on Voting Access For All.