PRESS RELEASE
HEADLINE:
Was a “HAIL MARY” thrown in Michigan's 3rd largest city?
A Foul is Called on the Play
Several Voters in Warren speak of possible Disenfranchisement during Warren’s August 6 Federal Primary
On August 6, 2024, In Warren Michigan, Some Polling Precincts were relocated to other locations in the city, on or the day before the election.
There seems to be conflicting reports on the reason for the move. When asking the (WCS) Warren Consolidated Schools, the report stated that there had been repairs going on earlier in the year which called for the polling precincts to be relocated. Another report from the district stated the move was made due to the weather which caused a power outage which allegedly occurred on August 5th, the day before the election. It was also stated that the public was notified sometime in April via postcards of the relocation of the moving of these precincts. When asking some of the candidates who were on the ballot if they were aware of the changes, their answer was, no, they had no prior knowledge of any changes of precincts. It was also discovered that one of the candidates did receive knowledge of the relocation and sent out mail to the residents in those areas a few days before the election advising them that their polling place had been changed and gave detailed instruction of where to go.
This leaves several questions unanswered; When was the decision made to move the polling locations? Who authorized the change? Who made the decision? How was it determined where the polling places would go? What factors were used to make that decision? When was the public notified and by what means were they notified? Was every candidate on the ballot of each precinct that was affected notified of the changes? When and how were they notified?
A call was made to DTE inquiring about a power outage on August 5th and August 6. They stated that there was no reported outage on either day in the Warren area. When asked if we could look at the map to verify, they stated that there is no information on the map for those days.
The effects of relocating polling locations coupled with inclement weather can reduce voter turnout. According to a report from Voting Rights Lab, [voterightslab.org | July 2020], “The consolidation of polling places disproportionately affects the turnout rates of black and brown voters. Changing polling locations can lower turnout rates due to both transportation – distance, time, and cost of finding and using transportation to polling places.
It was also reported by the (Voting Rights Lab, July 2020) that closing voting locations can lead to transportation hurdles, denial of language assistance and other forms of in-person help, and mass confusion about where eligible voters may cast their ballot. For many people, and particularly for voters of color, older voters, rural voters, and voters with disabilities, these burdens make it harder –and sometimes impossible – to vote.
The national media have focused on discriminatory changes in voting policy and practice, such as the increase in photo identification requirements, purges from the voter rolls, and reduction in rates of early voting. But poll closures receive little attention, even though they are a common and a particularly pernicious way to disenfranchise voters of color. Decisions to shutter, relocate or reduce voting are often made quietly and made at the last minute, making pre-election intervention or
litigation virtually impossible, according to {Voting Rights Lab, voterightslab.org, 2020}.
After talking with the other 2 candidates, Khaja Ahmed and Terry Wisniewski regarding the events of that day, I have decided to run as a Write-In Candidate offering the voters the opportunity and an option to upset the status quo and cast their vote for a candidate of their choosing.
It has been said that Write-Ins can’t win, and I respond to that with this; “They can if you vote for them by writing their name in the appropriate spot on your ballot and fill in the bubble next to their name.”
This is a free voting democracy, where citizens have the right to a free and fair election process.
Free from intimidation, coercion or obstacles of any kind. Was this the case on August 6? Were the events on that day fair, free from obstacles, coercion or intimidation? Some of the residents affected by the sudden changes say the contrary is true. The rain coupled with the moving of the polling locations created confusion and deterred a lot of voters causing a significantly low turnout at the polls.
Written by Michelle Nard
Warren Resident
Sources:
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Phone: (202) 466-3311/ 1620 L Street Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036.
Voting Rights Lab, votingrightslab.org 2020