Voting Has Started. I Have A Voting Plan. Do You?
Ahead of the 2024 general election, Pride Source asked community leaders to weigh in on the important issues facing the Michigan LGBTQ+ community. Roland Leggett, who serves as Election Protection Manager for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, as the Michigan Democratic Party LGBT&A Caucus Chair, and as Senior Advisor for Out for Harris., writes about the importance of making a voting action plan and encouraging others to do the same.
If you’ve been watching television, talking to loved ones, or pretty much doing anything recently then you know Election Day is right around the corner. As voters, we have a critical opportunity to shape the future of our state and communities. This election, exercising our right to vote matters more than ever for every issue affecting our day-to-day lives – from clean air and water to LGBTQIA+ equality and a healthy democracy – and showing up at the ballot box is our chance to make an impact. That’s why we are all counting on you. Yes, you! Which begs the question… What is your plan to take action?
Thanks to ballot initiatives passed in recent elections, we have more voting options in Michigan than ever before. Now, we can all enjoy accessible voting choices that fit our lives.
Want to vote early? No problem! There are locations across the state open well before Election Day.
Would you prefer to vote from the comfort of your home? I got you! Absentee voting is available to everyone. (Important Note: Do not mail in your absentee ballot. Instead, make sure you return it to your clerk’s office or a secure drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5.)
And if you love the energy of Election Day, in-person voting remains an option. These choices reflect a more inclusive approach to democracy – one that enables us all to participate fully and confidently. I love getting my “I Voted!” sticker on Election Day but decided to vote absentee this year.
Ensuring we have a healthy, accessible democracy and exercising our right to vote is essential if we want to create meaningful change on urgent issues, particularly those of environmental justice and equity. Many Michigan communities face environmental injustices like polluted air and contaminated water, often concentrated in communities of color and low-income areas. These issues have a disproportionate impact on Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, whose neighborhoods are more likely to be near industrial pollution sources and lack critical clean water infrastructure.
For our LGBTQIA+ community, these challenges are magnified by additional discrimination and barriers to health care and housing. We face unique risks and social injustices that intersect with environmental harm. For example, LGBTQIA+ youth are more in danger of lacking stable housing or resources, making them more vulnerable to environmental hazards in low-income neighborhoods. Addressing these challenges requires policymakers and leaders who prioritize justice, equity, and access to basic human rights – and voting is our most direct tool for making sure those leaders are in office. That’s where you come in.
Whether it’s your first time voting or your hundredth, taking a moment to make a plan is crucial. Studies show that voters are much more likely to vote with a clear plan. This doesn’t have to be complicated – just decide how you’ll vote, where, and when. Will you vote early? Absentee? In-person at your polling place on Election Day?
Think of it like choosing your own adventure: whether you’re an early riser who likes voting first thing in the morning or someone who prefers dropping off an absentee ballot, a little planning makes it easy to ensure your ballot is cast, counted, and your voice heard.
As we approach Election Day, make sure to visit mi.gov/vote to check your registration status, find early voting locations, and make sure you are ready to cast your ballot by Tuesday, November 5. This is a one-stop resource for all the information you need to make voting as smooth and stress-free as possible.
So this election, let’s show up – because when we vote, we protect our democracy and advocate for a world where everyone has the right to breathe clean air, drink safe water, and live with dignity.
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