Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/category/elections/michigan/michigan-ballot-issues/page/4/)
If approved, Proposal 1 on the 2018 Michigan election ballot would allow individuals 21 years of age and older to buy, possess and use marijuana. People would be able to possess up to 10 ounces of marijuana.
The line at 11 a.m was out the door at IM West on Tuesday morning as students waited to cast their vote. For some students, this is the first time they have come out to vote.
On November 6th, Michigan citizens voted to adopt Proposal 3, a statewide initiative which will overhaul Michigan’s current election law. Also known as ‘Promote the Vote,’ Proposal 3 is a comprehensive measure which will allow people to automatically register to vote when conducting business at the Secretary of State’s office unless they decline to register. Proposal 3 proponents say it will make voting easier for every Michigan citizen, including those who think about voting in the last minute. “Proposal 3 assures voting rights for Michigan citizens more than they have right now,” said Mary Pollock, government relations coordinator for the Michigan chapter of AAUW.
On this week’s Focal Point News, the synagogue attack brought people all across the country together, including here in East Lansing. Plus, Bill Schuette and Gretchen Whitmer go head-to-head in the Governor’s race. Past government officials came to Michigan to try and bring home votes to their party. A big change coming to MSU fraternities with hopes of a better future. Also, some students raised hundred of dollars for a charity through a haunted house.
It is basically Abby Schwartz’ second career. “It gets a little bit easier each time,” said Voters Not Politicians canvasser, Abby Schwartz. Each week, Schwartz trains her army of canvassers on Gerrymandering. Margaret Tassaro is just one of them. “Gerrymandering is not a flashy subject, so people don’t necessarily know what it is.
Michigan gubernatorial candidates Democratic Sen. Gretchen Whitmer and Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette had a live televised debate in Detroit on Oct. 24. Students around campus gathered to watch it, and some said they were shocked by some of the comments.
On this week’s Focal Point News, an overview of issues on November’s ballot. Plus we have an update on a student who was killed a few weeks ago. Fraternity’s ban hard alcohol above 15% at Greek life events. MSU played its biggest rival, University of Michigan, twice this past week. Those stories and more on this week’s Focal Point.
Eli Pales life right now is full of plenty of coffee and lots of work. “In previous years we just haven’ t had the people in place that cared enough about voter turn out,” said Pales.
Historically voter turn out in midterm election is low, but this time we are seeing changes said Pales. “We’ve gotten tons and tons of people registered. I’m hearing from the clerk that our voter reg numbers are gonna be on par with the 2016 general election and that’s just absolutely insane,” he said. In fact, Pales says voter registration will end up six times higher than the last midterms.
From on-campus to off-campus, Lansing City clerk, Chris Swope, will have his hands full these next few weeks.
Voters in Michigan will get the choice to vote and make it recreation marijuana legal in the upcoming election. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol has officially gotten the approval to get proposal one on the ballot for the November election. The initiative was approved by the State in May of 2017. Between May and November last year the campaign collected more than three hundred and sixty thousand signatures which exceed the minimal amount of two hundred and fifty two thousand, five hundred and twenty three signatures. “Up to two and a half ounces on your possession, and up to 10 ounces stored in a locked container at home,” Joshua Honey, the Coalition Communicative director, said.
The City of East Lansing held its meeting for the 2018 East Lansing Income Tax Ballot Proposal on June 20 at the East Lansing Public Library. City Manager stressed the urgent need for this tax because of multiple financial difficulties the city is experiencing. Some community members expressed worries about the proposed tax, and city official highlighted the need for more community input and turnout at the voting booth. Voting for the policy begins Aug. 7.