2020 Elections

With Halloween happening and a big football game rivalry being played that same day, as well as Election Day approaching, the desire to socialize and get together is going to be strong.

A number of Washtenaw County health and government leaders signed an open letter to the community reminding them of ways to avoid spreading the coronavirus during these busy times.  Lisa Barry spoke to Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Cerniglia about the letter and its intent.

Ypsilanti voters will see two city proposals on next week’s general election ballot.  

Washtenaw County voters will decide next Tuesday who will represent them during the next two years on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. 

A countywide ballot issue will be decided next Tuesday, and it deals with land preservation.  A 10-year, quarter-mill tax renewal would sustain the Natural Areas Preservation Program (NAPP) for another 10 years.  For this week's "Issues of the Environment,"WEMU's David Fair talks with Washtenaw County's park planning and NAPP supervisor, Ginny Trocchio, about what the preservation program has meant to the county in its first 20 years, and what lies ahead--pass or fail--on Tuesday. 

The Chelsea School District and the City of Dexter each have a proposal that voters will see on the November 3rd general election ballot.  

Six environmental and climate organizations in Washtenaw County have endorsed the City of Ann Arbor’s affordable housing proposal that voters will see on the November ballot.  

For those planning to vote in person next week for the November 3rd general election, there are safety steps health experts recommend.  

Bridgewater and Lodi Townships will each see one township proposal in next Tuesday’s general election.  

Ann Arbor voters will consider three city proposals for next week’s November 3rd general election.  

Among the candidates who will appear on next week’s general election ballot are two who are running in Washtenaw County’s non-incumbent 22nd Circuit Court judge race.  

The 7th Congressional District in Michigan includes seven counties, including western Washtenaw County.  Republican Tim Walberg, who is currently in his sixth term in Congress, is being challenged for the third time by Democrat Gretchen Driskell, who served two terms in the state House and as the city of Saline's first female mayor for 14 years.  WEMU's Lisa Barry reached out to both candidates to talk about the election.  Only Driskell responded and talks about why she decided to run again and what issues she believes need addressing in Congress.

After a long campaign, multiple political claims, conflicts and controversies, and a couple of intense presidential debates, it is almost Election Day!

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with University of Michigan psychologist Dr. David Dunning about so-called "election anxiety" and how to cope with that yourself and with friends and loved ones.

The sign reads "Humankind Be Both" and is popping up around Ann Arbor, the state, and even across the country.  Ann Arbor resident Keith Kurz came up with the idea and asked a work colleague's 12 year-old daughter to design it.

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Keith to find out more about the idea and how the sentiment is spreading throughout the community.

We’re now officially in what’s considered the late voter registration period for the November 3rd general election.  

Twelfth District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell continues to urge the United States Postal Service to improve service in Washtenaw County.  

The Washtenaw County Department of Elections wants to assure voters that absentee ballots will be counted on Election Day.  

The City of Ann Arbor’s new satellite city clerk’s office at the University of Michigan has registered numerous voters since it opened inside the Museum of Art Stenn Gallery on September 22nd.  

The court fight over absentee voting in Michigan is not over.  Republican leaders say they’ve filed a notice Thursday that an appeal of the latest court ruling is on the way.  Rick Pluta reports.

There has been much reaction to the Tuesday night presidential debate where Michigan was brought up several times.

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with long-time political commentator and Eastern Michigan University professor of American politics Ed Sidlow about the role Michigan played in the debate and the upcoming presidential election.

A federal lawsuit filed by two former Republican secretaries of state has joined the swirl of litigation surrounding absentee voting and the upcoming election.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

The Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber has formally endorsed an affordable housing millage that Ann Arbor voters will see on the November ballot.  

The Washtenaw County Elections Department says voters will soon start to see an increase in the number of absentee ballot drop-off boxes being installed around the county.  

The Black Student Union at the University of Michigan is moving forward with efforts to motivate Black students on campus to vote in the November general election.  

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says her office is ready to prosecute any efforts to illegally use intimidate or misinform voters for the November elections.  Rick Pluta has more.

Washtenaw County’s absentee ballots are going through their final review this week.

The Michigan Democratic and Republican parties held their state conventions this past weekend.  The parties finalized their tickets to appear on the statewide November ballot.  Rick Pluta reports.

Michigan US Senator Debbie Stabenow says Joe Biden's choice of Kamala Harris as his running mate is a win-win for Michigan.

WEMU's Lisa Barry spoke with the senator about Harris, whom she says is "smart, capable, and tough."

Now that it's been officially announced, there's been much reaction to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate.

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with the President/CEO of the African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County, Joyce Hunter.  She talks about the historical selection of Harris for the Democratic presidential ticket and the impact that has for women of all ages and of all races.

Washtenaw County voters will not see a public health and seniors millage proposal on the November ballot.