Letters to the Editor: Stop trying to deprive us of our rights

The Petoskey News-Review

Stop trying to deprive us of our rights

In 2018 and 2022 Michigan voters approved the addition of these voting rights to the Michigan Constitution:

Proposal 3 (2018):

  • Become automatically registered to vote when applying for, updating or renewing a driver's license or state-issued personal identification card, unless the person declines.

  • Simultaneously register to vote with proof of residency and obtain a ballot during the two-week period prior to an election, up to and including Election Day.

  • Obtain an absent voter ballot without providing a reason.

  • Cast a straight-ticket vote for all candidates of a particular political party when voting in a partisan general election.

Proposal 2 (2022):

  • Require military or overseas ballots be counted if postmarked by election day;

  • Provide voter right to verify identity with photo ID or signed statement;

  • Provide voter right to single application to vote absentee in all elections;

  • Require state-funded absentee ballot drop boxes, and postage for absentee applications and ballots;

  • Provide that only election officials may conduct post-election audits;

  • Require nine days of early in-person voting;

  • Allow donations to fund elections, which must be disclosed;

  • Require canvass boards certify election results based only on the official records of votes cast.

In 2023, Rep. Neil Friske joined 10 other Republican legislators in a lawsuit that challenged these additions to the Michigan Constitution.

On April 10, the federal court of Michigan's Western District dismissed this lawsuit.

It remains to be seen whether Rep. Friske and his co-plaintiffs will appeal this decision and again attempt to deprive Michigan voters of their rights.

Joseph Palm

Petoskey

Consider adding solar power to your home

If you have been considering adding solar power to your home or small business, the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is making it easy for you to learn about your options.

For the third year, Groundwork is offering the Access MI Solar project, a group purchase program available to home and small business owners located within 40 miles of Petoskey or Traverse City. Through this program, homeowners can get up to a 10% discount on solar panels and hardware, in addition to the standard 30% tax credit now offered by the federal government. The installation will be done by CBS Solar, which has been well-vetted.

Groundwork hopes to increase local solar capacity and advance clean energy education in our community. In collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Northern Lower Michigan and Michigan Interfaith Power and Light, Groundwork has enabled more than 30 home and business owners to install solar power over the past several years.

To learn more about this option, Groundwork is presenting a webinar April 19 from noon to 1 p.m. To sign up for this online meeting or to learn more about the project, go to groundworkcenter.org/access-mi-solar.

Martha Lancaster

Harbor Springs

House of Representatives leadership crisis

Let’s avoid another vacated speakership.

With little time remaining in the year, Democrats should support Speaker Johnson.

Everyone benefits if Congress settles down to business.

A bipartisan vote can help stabilize Congress and blunt the childish efforts of the chaos caucus.

Walt Cherry

Boyne City

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Letters to the Editor: Stop trying to deprive us of our rights

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