Media Center

Regardless of what type of role you play in the community, we all have an opportunity to play the most important role of all – voter – in the coming weeks. This includes our neighbors and family members with disabilities. Especially in this pandemic, everyone who wants to vote in Michigan has the constitutional right to accessible voting through secure mail-in ballots and safe in-person voting. It is expected that voting, by absentee ballot and in-person voting, will be the highest ever in Michigan for the November 3rd national election.

Michigan doctors are encouraging voters to stay safe from COVID-19 while casting their ballots for the upcoming November General Election. Some examples of safe voting options include voting early at local clerk’s officers, sending absentee ballots as soon as possible via mail or secure dropbox, or simply wearing a mask and maintaining social distance while voting in person on November 3 at their polling place.

In my role as chairperson of the Friendship Circle of Michigan, I see the challenges often faced by people with disabilities and support efforts to provide accessible voting to them as a basic democratic right. Prior to the pandemic, voting for many people with physical or developmental disabilities was often difficult or not possible. This includes people with mobility issues, hearing and visual impairments and those with autism. This year with the pandemic, the barriers are even greater. That is why safe options are so important for our neighbors with disabilities.

As a physician during a highly contagious pandemic, I’m concerned about the fact that voting this year is a public health issue. The good news is that Michigan voters overwhelmingly passed Proposal 3 in 2018, amending the state Constitution to include same-day registration and no-excuse absentee voting. Voting absentee early is a viable option if you don’t want to risk exposure to COVID-19, or worry that your vote won’t be counted or doesn’t matter.

Mid-Michigan doctors, including Dr. Jan Liu, a family physician in Perry, discuss the best way to vote safely amid a pandemic, which will require masks, social distancing and proper hygiene. He encouraged voters who are able to utilize early absentee ballot voting via drop boxes, and stressed the importance of wearing masks to the polls for those who are voting on Election Day.

With elections just three weeks ago, voting during a pandemic is a concern for a lot of people. Mid-Michigan doctors, Dr. Jan Liu and Dr. Farhan Bhatti say if people follow the proper safety precautions, there’s nothing to worry about. “More people are expected to vote this year and anticipation of higher voter turn out as physicians we wanna remind people we can vote safely, wear a mask, socially distance, wash your hand, minimize crowds in places where you cast your ballot,” says Jan Liu a family physician. Liu and Bhatti say – one way to avoid a lot of people, is to vote early.

With just three weeks until Election Day, two Michigan physicians held a news conference Tuesday encouraging safe ways for people to cast their vote during the pandemic. They say this can be done by either voting early or by following all COVID-19 safety measures on election day. Their call comes while Michigan is experiencing high numbers of daily COVID-19 cases, but applies to all voters as the virus continues to spread.

Due to Congress’ inaction, it’s going to take all of us working together to help ensure a safe and secure election. As employers, that starts with raising awareness among our employees about voting options in our respective communities, including absentee voting in advance of Election Day. We also need to provide as much flexibility as possible to help them vote safely and volunteer to work at polling locations. After all, a successful election is one where the voices of our employees and customers are heard as they help shape our communities amid the pandemic.

The November election will be like no other. This is the first presidential election since Michigan voters (in November 2018) gave themselves the constitutional right to vote absentee for any reason. This presidential election will be the first where citizens have the constitutional right to register to vote up to and including Election Day. Public health concerns surrounding COVID-19 also have an impact. There is anxiety and voter confusion. As city clerk, I aim to protect the integrity of elections and ensure voters have the necessary information to participate — whether at the polls on Election Day or voting absentee.

Polls have shown a large majority of voters prefer to vote absentee, which was evidenced in the primary. In Oakland County, over 70% of the electorate cast their ballot outside of the precinct. For those who still vote in the precinct, many steps have been taken to keep workers and voters safe and healthy.

VoteSafe MI member and former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade discusses the importance of safely voting early via absentee in the mail or dropping off ballots at satellite voting centers or secure drop boxes to ensure your vote is counted.

VoteSafe MI member and former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade discusses safe, secure voting options following the presidential debate, including voting via absentee ballots at secure ballot drop boxes and satellite voting centers. She explains the impact of increased absentee voting amid a pandemic.

If you’re watching a national news broadcast, do not assume what you hear applies to Michigan voters. Michigan voters have two options: 1) Vote in person at the precinct on election day or 2) Vote by absentee ballot. If you choose to vote in person, know that measures have been taken at the precincts to ensure voters and workers are safe. Each precinct is equipped with plexiglass shields, hand sanitizer and signage to encourage social distancing.

VoteSafe Michigan member Justin Roebuck, the clerk and register of deeds of Ottawa County, joins four of his peers in writing that while the reforms passed by the Senate and the House are a step in the right direction, further action is needed to give overwhelmed jurisdictions the ability to conduct the election in the most safe and secure manner possible. More than one extra day is needed to count the increased amount of absentee ballots — and giving clerks the time they need is not a partisan issue.

Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, Clerk Lisa Brown and Election Director Joe Rozell discuss how to vote safely in the November election, the absentee voting process, and safety measures in place for those who want to vote in-person on Election Day.

Fay Beydoun, Executive Director of American Arab Chamber of Commerce, writes that small minority-owned businesses all have unique customers, products or services, and geography. It is up to us to engage our respective audiences and encourage civic engagement regardless of party or our own political views. In 2020, that means highlighting safe ways in which people can vote for whomever they choose.

Flashpoint host Devin Scillian outlines the absentee voting process which is new to many people heading into November election. In addition to providing an overview of the rights guaranteed by Proposal 3, he highlights how to vote by mail or via voter drop boxes to ensure your vote is counted.

Secretary of State and VoteSafe MI leader Jocelyn Benson joins Flashpoint to discuss absentee voting, the rigorous methods to verify absentee ballots, and other topics heading into the week when the first ballots will be sent in Michigan.

Physician and former Republican Congressman Joe Schwarz joins MIRSnews’ weekly podcast to discuss safe voting options, voting securely by absentee, and utilizing drop boxes. Interview begins at 38:00 minute mark.

Physician and former Congressman Joe Schwarz discusses VoteSafe Michigan’s bipartisan effort to ensure safe and secure voting options in November, including drop-off ballot boxes to accommodate the increased absentee voting that is expected.

Barb McQuade, Law Professor at the University of Michigan, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, and member of VoteSafe Michigan, says she doesn’t remember ever seeing a voter fraud case in her 20-year career as a federal prosecutor.

“It is totally unprecedented. It’s historically unprecedented to put the USPS… in a situation where they become a political entity to be meddled with during a presidential election,” said Joe Schwarz, a leader with VoteSafe Michigan, a group advocating for accessible voting during the pandemic. A former Republican congressman, Schwarz said USPS was not a hot-button political issue during his time in Washington, D.C. Now, he’s concerned that the changes have “the potential to create chaos” with the expected increase of mail-in votes in the Nov. 3 presidential election.

Some argue that voting by mail may lead to widespread fraud. There is no evidence to support such a claim. Several states have successfully used voting by mail for years without a problem. One in four Americans already votes by mail. The Brennan Center for Justice reports that Oregon, which has conducted elections exclusively by mail since 2000, and sent out more than 100 million ballots during that time, has documented 12 cases of fraud, or 0.00001 percent. In other words, the report says, a voter is more likely to be struck by lightning than to commit voter fraud. During my almost 20 years as a federal prosecutor, I do not recall a single case of voter fraud, even though Michigan has permitted voting by mail for years. More votes cast by mail may delay the final tally, but we should be confident in the results.

Absentee ballot applications in Traverse City haven’t just blown remote voting numbers out of the water. They have eclipsed entire turnouts for August primaries in previous presidential election years. The city sent 4,412 absentee ballots as of Friday and 2,474 of those ballots had been returned — a little over 56 percent, City Clerk Benjamin Marentette said. That’s out of around 12,500 registered voters.

Janet Santos, the city clerk, says Saginaw is gearing up for Tuesday’s primary election. She said the health and wellness of voters won’t be taken lightly. “I want to ensure the voters that we will be sanitizing all of the equipment, the voting booths, the tabulator, the pens that they use and the table top surfaces,” said Santos. “The workers will be doing janitorial-type services to clean and cleanse and make it safe for all the voters. Of course we’re wearing masks and have markers on the floor for social distancing and waiting in line.”

First and foremost, lawmakers must agree that people should not have to choose between safeguarding their health and exercising their right to vote. Immediate steps must be taken to ensure Michiganders have ready access to secure mail-in ballots as well as safe, sanitary, and accessible voting locations in their communities. This is why United Way for Southeastern Michigan has joined VoteSafe Michigan, a bipartisan coalition of nonprofit organizations and community leaders dedicated to ensuring everyone can vote safely and securely in this year’s elections.

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey is urging voters who still have absentee ballots to avoid sending them through the mail. Instead, the clerk is asking voters to drop their ballots off in-person. Winfrey says the mail is moving slower than usual right now “and we want to ensure that we get that ballot in a timely fashion. So, drop it off, at this point, don’t put it in the mail, and voters will be in good shape.”

Masks, gloves, and cleaning supplies will be provided at all voting jurisdictions for Tuesday’s primary election. Voters are also encouraged to vote this weekend at their local clerks office to beat the rush on Election Day.

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey shows safe voting options at a satellite voting location on the northwest campus of Wayne County Community College District in advance of Tuesday’s primary election.

In Mid-Michigan, county leaders are working around the clock to ensure safety for the Aug. 4 primary election. “We think that we’re in a position to conduct a safe election at the polls on election day,” Saginaw County Clerk Mike Hanley said. Hanley wants voters to know every step has been taken to ensure a safe in-person voting experience.

In just a few months, Michiganders will cast their ballots in the general election. Few circumstances make the case for mail-in voting — also known as absentee voting — more urgent to our democracy than a global pandemic that has killed 148,000 Americans in five months and sickened 4.2 million more.

I have spent most of my life talking to our community about health. I never thought I would have to talk about health when it comes to voting. But here we are in 2020 and voting is suddenly a health issue. I ask you to please think about it. You shouldn’t have to risk your health to cast a ballot, especially in the midst of a pandemic.

With the August primary just about a week away, increased numbers of absentee ballots have been requested and returned in Michigan as voters navigate elections amid a pandemic. Political analysts discuss how mailing in absentee ballots gives voters a secure avenue to participating without jeopardizing their health and without favoring either major party.

As election season draws closer, Midland County is working to ensure its voters and election workers are protected. Midland County clerk Ann Manary said the State of Michigan will be sending the county “personal protective equipment” (PPE) for election staff to use during voting events, including masks, face-shields, cleaning supplies and gloves.

“We want the polling place to be set up safe for them and the workers. But if they really want to avoid wearing a mask and the pressure that comes with that, they can get an absentee ballot and they can vote from home,” said Saginaw County Clerk, Mike Hanley, a member of VoteSafe Michigan.

Schwarz touts importance of safe in-person voting and increased mail-in ballots amid COVID-19 pandemic. VoteSafe Michigan is raising awareness about the importance of providing expanded safe voting options.

Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and something we as clerks were elected to protect. In 2020, our job is to protect the elections from COVID-19. It’s a duty I take seriously as do my counterparts across the state.

Midland County recently became one of the latest in a long list of counties, townships and cities across the country to join the effort of making voting during the COVID-19 pandemic as safe as possible. On June 25, Midland County clerk Ann Manary joined other clerks from mid-Michigan counties at a social-distanced press conference in Frankenmuth to announce their support for VoteSafe Michigan, the statewide branch of a national bipartisan coalition working to educate Michigan voters of safe voting options in the August and November elections.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says that the state is continuing to expand its vote by mail capabilities for the upcoming fall elections and is looking to other states’ elections as examples.

Michigan election officials are looking for help from the federal government to help all state residents vote safely this year. As the state and country are still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a big question on many minds is how to protect voters from contracting the disease during an election.

4 Mid Michigan County Clerks came together Thursday for a bipartisan effort to keep Michigan voters and workers safe– when people head to polls for this year’s election. VoteSafe Michigan calls for Congress to provide funding to cover all of the counties in Michigan. The clerks said about $ 40 million is needed.

Four mid-Michigan county clerks announced their support of VoteSafe Michigan, a bipartisan initiative that aims to ensure voter safety during the November elections. The clerks not only encouraged voting absentee as a safe, dependable option, but also sought to ensure in-person voting is conducted with proper protective equipment and procedures in place to make sure voters aren’t exposed to COVID-19.

Mid-Michigan county clerks announce support of VoteSafe Michigan to ensure voter safety during the August and November elections, including absentee voting by mail.

On Sunday, June 21, Spotlight on the News looked at the future of our Michigan economy, educational funding for schools and the bi-partisan VoteSafe Michigan coalition in the shadow of COVID-19. Guests included former Republican Congressman Dr. John “Joe” Schwarz of Battle Creek and Michigan’s Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

In the best interest of voters in our city and statewide, I am working with VoteSafe Michigan, a bipartisan coalition of voting experts, elected officials, health care professionals, and community leaders who support accessible, secure mail-in ballots and safe, in-person voting sites.

Amid a global pandemic, as clerks across the state are preparing for upcoming elections in August and November, there is one thing I want the people I serve to know. No matter the realities of COVID-19 come election time, no registered voter in Isabella County has to risk their health to cast a ballot. They can vote from the safety of their own home.

Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown joins us to talk about preparations for August and November elections and her support of expanding safe and secure voting options amid COVID-19.

Joe Schwarz is a physician and former Michigan Republican congressman teaming up with the state’s Democratic Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, to answer voters’ questions about the safety of this year’s vote in the upcoming August and November elections.

VoteSafe Michigan has launched a bipartisan coalition to help expand voting options, including mail-in voting. Physician and former Michigan Republican congressman Joe Schwartz gives the details.

Benson joined the VoteSafe Michigan coalition, a bipartisan group of people with the mission to support accessible, secure mail-in ballots and safe, in-person voting sites, according to the group. VoteSafe Michigan is part of a national organization comprised of bipartisan members, known as VoteSafe U.S.

Today marks the launch of VoteSafe Michigan — a bipartisan coalition advocating safe voting options for elections in August and November in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is preparing for unprecedented voting by mail in August and November elections and is co-leading VoteSafe Michigan to ensure expanded safe voting options.

Today, VoteSafe Michigan released an ad featuring Walker City Clerk Sarah Bydalek touting the safety and security of absentee voting in Michigan. Bydalek, an election official for 13 years, is one of the “guardians of democracy” working this election.

MICHIGAN – Today, VoteSafe Michigan’s Joe Schwarz, a physician and former Republican congressman, released the following statement on the state Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 757. “On behalf of the bipartisan VoteSafe Michigan coalition, I applaud the Senate for passing this necessary bill, which will allow more voters have the confidence to vote safely during this pandemic. We urge the House to quickly consider and pass this measure,” said Schwarz.

MICHIGAN – Today, VoteSafe Michigan announced that leading health care experts have joined its coalition to ensure that all Michigan voters have safe voting options in the August and November elections.

MICHIGAN – Today, VoteSafe Michigan launched its campaign to ensure that all Michigan voters have safe voting options in the August and November elections. The bipartisan coalition is led by former Republican Congressman and physician Joe Schwarz and Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.