Fwd: Democracy Ambassador July 31st, 2026 Newsletter

[Judy Cunningham]

 IF YOU HAVEN’T VOTED IN THE PRIMARY YET, PLEASE DO!!  This is a crucial election and the race is tight between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens for US Senate. The progressive candidate, Abdul, is for Medicare for ALL and against corporate money in politics.  Whoever you are supporting, it is so important to cast a ballot at the Farr Center either tomorrow or Sunday.  OR Drop your AV ballot in a drop box (don’t mail).  OR vote Tuesday, August 4th, at your polling location.

The turnout for Primaries is low, between 20-30%.  Democratic turnout is worse than Republican turnout. I’d like to see us get between 30-40% and get a higher turnout than the Republicans.  In Onekama, the Precinct Delegates have been texting, canvassing and writing postcards to increase Democratic voter turnout.

So please, if you have an AV ballot, turn it in NOW.  If you don’t, get out and vote early this weekend or on Tuesday between 7am-8pm.  Remember, Trump doesn’t want you to vote, will do anything to stop you, so what better reason to vote?

Thank you for voting,

Judy Cunningham

Begin forwarded message:

From: Michigan Secretary of State <MI...@govsubscriptions.michigan.gov>

Subject: Democracy Ambassador July 31st, 2026 Newsletter

Date: July 31, 2026 at 4:34:06 PM EDT

To: jpc...@gmail.com

The Michigan Department of State presents the July 31st, 2026 edition of the Democracy Ambassador Newsletter

- July 31, 2026 Newsletter -  Produced by the Michigan Department of State and Michigan Bureau of Elections. LATEST ELECTIONS NEWS Statewide Early Voting Now Underway Michigan's early voting period runs through Sunday, Aug. 2.  With early voting, you can visit an early voting site in your area and complete a ballot in person before Election Day. This convenient voting option runs through Sunday, Aug. 2.  Early voting locations and hours may be different from the polling places open on Election Day, so be sure to look up your early voting sites and hours before visiting. Voters with a mail ballot can still turn it in at their early vote site.  Visit mi.gov/vote to look up your early voting sites and hours, or to track your mail ballot. More information and answers to frequently asked questions are available at mi.gov/earlyvoting. Have questions?  Email us at elec...@michigan.gov or call our partners at the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE. Three key facts about mail voting.  Cut through the noise. Know the truth about voting by mail in Michigan. FACT 1: Mail voting is legal in Michigan Despite recent attempts to restrict mail voting, you can still vote by mail for the August and November elections. Mail voting is a very popular way to vote in our state. In 2024, more than 39% of Michigan voters cast their ballot by mail. Rest assured, this convenient and popular voting option is here to stay in 2026. FACT 2: Only eligible voters can vote by mail Clerks have multiple ways of ensuring mail ballots are secure. Clerks compare a voter's signature on the mail ballot envelope to the signature on file, usually from the voter's driver's license or ID card. They also compare the ballot number that was mailed to the voter with the ballot number that was returned. There are also processes to stop double voting. Clerks keep records of which voters are sent a mail ballot. If someone has already voted and asks for a second ballot, election workers can check the record, and will stop them from voting again. FACT 3: Drop boxes have security features Michigan drop boxes are made of heavy-duty steel. They are secure, locked, and bolted to the ground. All drop boxes in Michigan have security cameras pointed at them for 24/7 monitoring. Only official clerk staff who have taken a legal oath can collect ballots from drop boxes, and clerks collect them at least once a day.  Voters can track the status of their mail ballots at mi.gov/vote.  Learn more about mail voting at mi.gov/votebymail. Preview your ballot Know what you're voting on before you go to the polls! Sample ballots help voters research candidates and proposals ahead of time. You can look up your sample ballot at mi.gov/vote. To research your ballot, you can: Use nonpartisan voter guides like Vote411.org. Visit candidate or ballot initiative webpages. Attend local town halls. Check local media coverage. Ask an organization you trust for voter guides or resources. You are allowed to bring a voter guide or a sample ballot with your written notes into your polling place when voting - just be sure to take this material with you when you leave. Share the good news! Help us share factual information about voting and elections in Michigan!  Save the following graphic and share it on your socials. Be sure to tag us @michiganSOS. Right click, "save as," to download this graphic The Michigan Department of State presents the July 31, 2026 edition of the Democracy Ambassador Newsletter, containing nonpartisan information to help you rise above the noise and know the facts about Michigan elections. Subscribe for updates   SOS News   July 29 - One week before the Primary Election, over 832,000 Michiganders have cast their ballot July 24 - First weekend of statewide early in-person voting starts Saturday, July 25 for the August Primary Election July 21 - Two weeks before August Primary Election, Michigan voters choosing mail ballots at record pace; requests up 68.5% over same point in 2022 July 16 - Public testing of election equipment for Aug. 4 Primary is underway statewide July 16 - Secretary Benson statement on the president's false claims about election security June 29 - Secretary Benson issues statement on U.S. Supreme Court decision on mail-in ballots 2026 Important Dates and Deadlines Sun., Aug 2 - Last day of statewide early voting Mon., Aug 3 @ 4pm - deadline to request a mail ballot in person at your local clerk's office. Tue., Aug. 4 - Primary Election. Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mail ballots must be at a local clerk's office or in a drop box by 8 p.m. Tue., Nov. 3 - General Election       Did you know? Pick only one party's column to vote for in the August Primary!  For the Aug. 4 Primary Election, Michigan voters will choose which candidates will be on the ballot for each position in November. On the primary ballot, there are two columns: one for Democrats and one for Republicans. You can only fill out one of these columns when you vote. Clerks can't count any ballots from voters who fill out both columns or split choices between parties. You don't have to be a registered party member to vote in either party's primary.     Meet an Election Hero! Thomas Bigford, Election Inspector, Saugatuck Township Thomas was nominated by Cindy Osman, Saugatuck Township Clerk. Thomas signed up to be a poll worker his senior year of high school in November 2024 and has served ever since.  "He brings so much - fresh eyes, enthusiasm, endurance, and is as efficient with the electronic poll book as he is with processing absentee ballots," Cindy wrote.   Thank you, Thomas! You are this edition's MDOS Election Hero. Want to nominate your own Election Hero? If you would like to nominate a poll worker, a local clerk, deputy clerk, clerk staff, or anyone else who assists in administration of Michigan's elections, please complete the Election Hero Nomination Form for a chance to have your election hero featured in an upcoming Democracy Ambassadors Newsletter.

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