We’re live-blogging the Elections and Ethics Committee hearing. Watch the hearing here and stay tuned for our updates.
Just b/c the committee meeting is over doesn’t mean you can’t speak out on HB5974. Sign our petition: http://t.co/ecPB1TownD #MiLameDuck
— Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
On opposition, Lyons says: We have the authority to do this. #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Committee is adjourned. Not a single person testified in support of HB5974 #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Also note that future House Speaker Rep. Kevin Cotter was noticeably silent during all testimony #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Note: Lots of support for Christopher’s blunt testimony. Applause broke out when he finished #MILameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Bruce from Rochester Hills speaks against HB5974 — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Christopher calls HB5974 an attempt by GOP to “screw everyone else over.” Definitely pulled no punches #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Notably absent from hearing on electoral rigging scheme, the sponsor, Rep. Lund. — Lonnie Scott (@LonnieScott) December 2, 2014
Christopher from Sterling Heights: this is “egregious effort” to rig elections. Clearly an effort by GOP to dictate EC system — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Ethel from Waterford, a former election worker, opposes HB5974. Tells #mileg to fix real problems with voting — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Repz Lyons argues that the #mileg is allowed to do this. Thus far she’s the only one who has evenly vaguely voiced support for HB5974 — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Harsh words for those who would vote for HB5974. Likened to cheating, unfair, election rigging #MILameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Melissa: HB5974 is like a “cork-filled baseball bat” and is a “thinly-veiled” attempt to rig elections #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Melissa from Lincoln Park speaking out against HB5974. Still no one in support #MILameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
John says MIGOP’s “inappropriate” attempt to rig EC is equal to gerrymandering — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
John, a veteran, from Clarkston: I’m here today to ask you not to support this bill #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Greatest election issue that plagues Michigan is not national relevancy, it’s turnout. says Common Cause spox. about electoral college bill — Kathy Gray (@michpoligal) December 2, 2014
McElroy: Low turnout is a voting problem, not the electoral college. #MILameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Melanie from @CommonCauseMI speaking in “deep opposition” to HB5974 — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Brandon: Vote on things that help people vote, don’t support HB5974 — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
The electoral college is as old as the U.S. Constitution, tell conservatives to leave it alone: http://t.co/ecPB1TownD #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Brandon: MIGOP attempt to change electoral college would hurt voting process in MI #MILameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Brandon from Redford Township speaking out against HB5974. Still not one person in support #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Lacy: “Very afraid” that EC changes would “further disengage” people from voting process — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Lacy says that EC changes would confuse people and be hard to educate people on #MILameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Lacy from Detroit: First time voting was a special memory. Found that ppl feeling disengaged with voting process #MILameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Rep. Lisa Lyons trying to argue that EC rigging would increase MI’s election clout. All testimony so far disagrees #MILameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Protect Democracy in Michigan http://t.co/CeBYrXw5Uq @moveon — Lynn (@wavingcrosser) December 2, 2014
The #mileg could expand ballot access through increased voting hours, less frequent ward/precinct changes and no reason A/B. — Kyle (@KJBuda) December 2, 2014
Join the Michiganders speaking out against HB5974: http://t.co/ecPB1TownD Don’t let the #MIGOP rig our elections #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Tom from AA speaking against HB5974. No one thus far has spoken directly to supporting the bill. Not surprising #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Colleen: There are concerns that HB5974 will make voting more complicated. Urges NO vote #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Colleen from Oakland County says voters are concerned about good schools, roads and jobs. No one thinks changing EC is necessary — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
.@andyschor: Are voters concerned about MI being a “flyover state”? Gloria says No, they’re not. #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Gloria from Detroit: Changes could confuse people, does not support HB5974 #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Gloria from Detroit, who works in voter edu, says no one is concerned abt electoral college. Lots of other vote issues that need to be fixed — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
HB5974 would take Michigan in the wrong direction when it comes to voting rights and reform. #MILeg #MiLameDuck — Denzel McCampbell (@DenzAnton_) December 2, 2014
Nancy from MERA: We have problems with voting access that we should address #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Nancy from MERA says HB5974 does not help people vote or encourage voting. Calls for no reason absentee, early voting and same-day reg — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Peter from AA: “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” In regard to GOP plan to rig elections #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
No testimony yet for/against HB5974. Lots of history / broad national policy being discussed. #MiLameDuck — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Rather than spending time/effort trying to #FixOurRoads, the MIGOP is more concerned about changing our election laws to benefit themselves — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Watching the MI Elections & Ethics Committee – Taking up a bill to change the way we elect the President. — Denzel McCampbell (@DenzAnton_) December 2, 2014
First person up to testify talks about national popular vote. No position on HB 5974 — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
It’s a packed house at the HOB. Plenty of folks here ready to tell the #MIGOP to keep their hands off our democracy pic.twitter.com/RVqactjz9c — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
Why does the GOP want to change a centuries old pillar of our democracy? So they can rig the system. Tell them No: http://t.co/ecPB1TownD — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
We’re headed to the House Elections & Ethics Committee meeting on the GOP’s plan to rig MI elections. Watch here: http://t.co/xBIt6HVsA6 — Progress Michigan (@ProgressMich) December 2, 2014
The Electoral College process by which we elect our nation’s President and Vice President is as old as the Constitution itself.
Representative Pete Lund introduced a bill last month that that would rig Michigan elections at the expense of the people by changing the way our state allocates its Electoral College votes.
We need mindful public input and debate about anything as important as changing our centuries old system for electing the President. Any changes to the Electoral College should come from Michiganders themselves, not the elected officials who stand to benefit.
Today, at 12:00 p.m., the Elections and Ethics Committee will hold a hearing on this anti-democratic bill. You can watch the hearing live here. We’ll be there in-person live tweeting and posting all the latest updates to this page, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, we can let our elected representatives know that we don’t support them changing the rules of the game for their own benefit. Sign this petition to the Elections and Ethics Committee telling them not to rig the Electoral College.