October 9th is the voter registration deadline for this year's midterm elections, but there's still time to get signed up.  Voter registration events, ballot initiative panels, and upcoming meetings in Ann Arbor government are the topics of discussion in this week's "Civic Matters" with WEMU's David Fair and the CivCity Initiative's Mary Morgan.

For some people, just getting out to vote takes a lot of effort.  They may never think about or realize exactly what goes in to putting a local election together.  89.1 WEMU’s Lisa Barry takes you behind the voting curtain to learn about just how much time and preparation goes in to putting together an election in Washtenaw County, so residents can exercise their right to vote.

A discussion will be held Monday evening at Eastern Michigan University to explore ways Washtenaw County residents can support boys and young men of color.

Legislation in Michigan would reduce criminal penalties for people who intentionally don’t tell their sexual partners that they have HIV in order to spread the disease.  Those bills have stalled in a state House committee.

The Ypsilanti YMCA Child Development Center, also known as the Collaborative, was created to provide child care to low-income families in Ypsilanti.  It also provides assistance to parents attending Eastern Michigan University.  WEMU's Patrick Campion talks about the Collaborative with EMU doctoral candidates Nigora Erkaeva and Veronica Konglim, EMU's assistant director of community relations and engagement Caroline Sanders, and Ann Arbor YMCA regional child development director Lee Anna Pasker.

Snow plows operated by the Washtenaw County Road Commission will be a bit more decorative this winter.
 

There are three statewide ballot proposals to be decided on November 6th.  Two of them have to do with voting.  Proposal 2 is being called “Voters Not Politicians” and aims to end gerrymandering.  If approved, it would create an independent commission to redraw legislative and congressional district lines after each census.  Proposal 3 is being called “Promote the Vote.”  It would create greater access to voter registration and aims to increase voter participation.  Both could have impacts on the overall health of Michigan’s environment.  

In this month’s “1st Friday” conversation, “Promote the Vote” leader and former Michigan ACLU executive director Kary Moss discusses the implications with WEMU’s David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.

This week, Art and Soul is about the  culinary arts.  89.1 WEMU’s Lisa Barry and Jessica Webster are joined by Mary Campbell, the owner of “Everyday Wines” in Ann Arbor, who shares useful information about the world of wine.