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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS VOTING I remember the first time I voted and became a part of the democratic process … but why? Black Men here in the United States of America, a lot of us feel our vote doesn't matter or won’t have no-real effect on our situation here in America; in short, we are totally detached and have no faith in the democratic process. But it is projected that there will be 34.4 million eligible Black voters by election time in November 2024. Black voter turnout rates are projected to be higher than Hispanics and Asians. The first time I voted was when Barack Obama first won the presidency in 2008. The reason I voted for him was simply because of his skin color. Not because he was a Democrat or his ideas and values were in line with my own; I never thought about what type of policies he might administer. How naive I was then. Now, seventeen years later, I am much wiser. Still, I have to mention his skin color caught my attention and put me in the game of the democratic process. During Barack Obama’s presidency I started becoming detached and decided not to participate in the 2012 election.Then Trump came along in 2016 and swept the nation by storm, with it at times. This upcoming election I will be casting my vote and hope others will do the same. I met a brother in the downtown Ann Arbor area named Todd Wilson, the Michigan lead organizer and consultant of Black Men Vote. As we talked, he let me know that MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 catching everybody's attention. He turned ordinary news stations into political entertainment narcotics; people became hooked on Trump news. Now, I must mention that Trump news got me back into the game of the process of democracy again. Both Obama and Trump caught the attention of the masses, including those people who would have never paid attention to politics. Sometimes it takes extreme figures and/or situations to get people's attention and to get them involved. Ever since 2016, I have been back in the game, being a part of the democratic process, even though I struggle Frank White, known as former President Barack Obama’s top fundraiser, started BMV in January 2024. BMV is currently partnered with “Shop Talk,” the flagship of the campaign currently operating in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. The goal is to get 55-60 barbershops, beauty salons and barber schools involved with helping to get Black Men registered and participating in the democratic process.” As he continued, he informed why he decided to get involved and engage in Black Men voter mobilization and voter registration. “Because I noticed a voter deficit, if we look at the polls, our voter turnout rate was the lowest nationally; only 12 percent of Black registered voters came out to vote in the last Michigan Primary election. Shop Talk is geared towards changing that trajectory, by mobilizing Black Men to get them engaged or reengaged into the JULY 26, 2024 Black Men Vote mobilizes voters in barber shops democratic process. As men, we are looked-up to in the household and in our communities. People watch us; therefore, we can lead by example, and we can change the trajectory, when it comes to our vote as a whole, in our community. Black Men being involved allows for Black Men to be more informed on issues, and allows us as Black Men to have a voice in the political arena on issues that matter to us.” Then I asked him about the types of responses that have been received since the start of BMV. He said, “Voter mobilization; people are really getting behind it and getting involved. We also look to partner with various organizations and with state and local governments soon; things have been going well.” I had one last question for Todd: How can people register to vote and get involved with BMV? He said, “If you want to get more information on Black Men Vote, you can go to our website blackmenvote.org and you can register to vote on our website and also get valuable information needed for the upcoming election.” So, there you have it folks, exercise your right and vote! Three City of Ypsilanti ballot initiatives to look for during November election LINDSAY CALKA Publisher Ypsilanti Ballot Initiative Group (Ypsi BIG) is a newly formed group of organizers in Ypsilanti that has nearly collected 900 signatures on three separate ballot petitions aimed at amending the Ypsilanti City Charter. The group includes members from Ypsilanti Tenants Union, What’s Left Ypsi, Eastern Michigan University, and former members of Defend Affordable Ypsi. Ypsi BIG began planning for the petitioning process early in 2024, drawing inspiration from an unsuccessful effort by Defend Affordable Ypsi in 2020, which attempted to instate rent control through a ballot petition process. Ypsi BIG surveyed a number of local grassroots organizations, considering over 10 possible charter amendments before deciding on three. A ballot initiative is a proposed law — in this case, a change to the City Charter — initiated by the electorate instead of by those in elected office. In order to get the proposed legislation on the ballot, a certain number of signatures must be collected and approved by a deadline. In addition to the standard tactic of door knocking and street canvassing at public events such as Ypsi Pride, First Fridays and Juneteenth, Ypsi BIG marketed the ballot initiatives on social media and directed interested signers to show up at a central location — Vertex Cafe, Sundays 1-4 p.m. — throughout June and July. Due to their efforts, close to 900 Ypsilanti residents have signed in favor of these changes and if the remainder of the signatures are collected and approved by the City Clerk by July 30, the measures will be up for general vote in the November 5 election. Read up on what each of the initiatives aim to do so you can make an informed decision on election day. 1. Public Control of Police Budget: Requires that any changes to the Ypsilanti Police Department budget be voted on as a stand-alone issue by the general public during a regular November election. 2. Non-partisan Local Elections: Would eliminate partisan voting for Mayor and City Council positions, Show up to Vertex Cafe Sunday, July 28 1-4 p.m. to sign and support the initiatives! which would mean that straight-ticket voting would not apply to those seats. This would also eliminate City Council and mayoral primary elections, which would effectively create more competitive races in November. 3. Tenant Rights: Would result in three big changes: 1) A ban on rental application fees, 2) A requirement for landlords to follow a Right of First Refusal law, and 3) A requirement for landlords to register all of their properties with the City on an accessible online database. There would be substantial financial penalties for landlords should they not follow this, and holding them accountable will be the job of City Council. Right of First Refusal mandates that landlords, if selling their rental properties, first offer to sell the property at market rate to the tenant(s) who live there. If you are interested in supporting the campaign for these initiatives, contact Ypsi BIG by visiting their website www.linktr.ee/ypsibig or messaging on Instagram @ypsi.big

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