The upcoming election has left a lot of us with concerns about the future. Know that, no matter what, the Peter White Public Library will be here to serve the community. We are excited about the hours we have had open and are looking forward to a day when things are back to normal. In the meantime, know we are all in this together. As you head to the polls to vote on Tuesday, November 3rd, here are a few things to help inform your decisions.
What’s on the Ballot Nov 3?
Voting is perhaps one of the most personal and important decisions we have as Americans. PWPL is on the ballot for library service renewal this November in three townships — Chocolay, Marquette, and West Branch. Get more information about PWPL ballot proposals at pwpl/info/election-2020/.
While we appreciate all the support we can get, our objective here isn’t to direct your vote but to help guide you to the places on the web to find information to help you make informed voting decisions. When doing your ballot research, here are some reputable sources that will help you know how to vote for.
- The City of Marquette. The old saying is still true that all politics are local politics. To learn what matters in Marquette and what’s on our ballot, check out the City of Michigan page here. (You can also find voting times and poll locations for your district.) https://www.marquettemi.gov/departments/administrative-services/city-clerk/elections/
- Vote411. Get official results and learn what’s on the ballot, along with personalized voting information. This site even has tips for voters to ensure they are safe at the polling area. Keep this one bookmarked as the results roll in to stay up-to-date. www.vote.411.com
- Michigan.gov. If you’re not even sure what you need to know, this is a great website to peruse. Check out a sample ballot, find your polling place, track your absentee ballot, and much more with this state site. https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633-49313–,00.html
- Michigan Secretary of State. You can find even more information statewide on the Secretary of State site. This user-friendly site helps by breaking down vote options per region. Look up judges, Congresspeople, and even who is on the school board. https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot
- ACLU. The American Civil Liberties Union are some of the most stringent protectors of our first amendment rights. If you are concerned about disability accessibility or language barriers, the ACLU has your back. https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/voting-rights/
- Balletopia. Balletopia offers a wealth of information for what is on the ballot from a federal perspective and then down-ballot per state. Spend some time on this website to learn the details of why your vote matters. https://ballotpedia.org/November_3,_2020_ballot_measures_in_Michigan
If you’d prefer a hard copy to a digital resource, PWPL offers copies of The League of Women Voter guides. Grab yours by the book display on the main floor. If you have trouble locating them, ask at the circulation desk.
Make a Plan to Get to the Polls
Life is busy, and the pandemic has made all the normal things we do a little more complicated. And that includes voting. Area polling stations have gone to special lengths to make sure masks are worn, social distancing is easy, and best practices for your protection are in place. What you do today can affect tomorrow, so grab a friend and make a plan to ensure you are able to the polls.