Last week's political news from Michigan's universities

by: Neon Vincent

Mon Sep 27, 2010 at 12:54:29 PM EDT

The most time-sensitive piece of news comes first.

Michigan State University: MSU to participate in national conversation about teaching careers

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University students interested in becoming teachers will engage in a nationally televised conversation about the teaching profession with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Sept. 27.

MSU is one of only four institutions across the country selected to participate in the MSNBC broadcast live from their campuses. The university's College of Education is known for its high-quality teacher preparation program, and U.S. News & World Report recently ranked MSU No. 1 in the nation for elementary and secondary education for a 16th straight year.

"We are pleased the Department of Education and NBC News recognize Michigan State University as a leader when it comes to preparing teachers to meet the challenges in our nation's schools," said President Lou Anna K. Simon. "The broadcast will give our students a tremendous opportunity to contribute to a national forum on the importance of teaching."

Participating students will be able to ask questions directly during the 2 p.m. program, which includes a special address from Duncan encouraging more young people to explore careers in education early in their college years. The one-hour special will be hosted by Tom Brokaw.

Only an hour-and-a-half for any Spartans or others in East Lansing to attend.  The rest of us can watch on tonight's news.

Now, on to Michigan election news.

Western Michigan University: Only a few days remain to register to vote

KALAMAZOO--With the Oct. 4 deadline to register to vote rapidly approaching, Western Michigan University is again making voter information easier to find with a Web page aimed at increasing political participation among students and the general public.

Elections are being held throughout Michigan Tuesday, Nov. 2, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The voter information page provides links to online answers for questions such as, "Where do I vote?" and "How do I get an absentee ballot?"

The deadline to register to vote in this year's general election is Monday, Oct. 4, which is also the deadline for changes of address or other information on voter registrations.

If any of you have political news from any of the rest of our state's universities, or just want to describe your volunteering efforts, please share in the comments.

More political news from Michigan's fine public universities plus some bonus national political coverage after the jump.

U.S. S. Ct. Overrules 6th Circuit in Voter Registration Case

by: Bluesman Johnson

Fri Oct 17, 2008 at 17:23:56 PM EDT

As I recall the procedure, the Secretary won at the District (i.e., trial) court.  The largely conservative Sixth Circuit reversed, and entered an order requiring her, in essence, to provide a list of every voter (or new registrant) whose voter registration information was not identical to their DMV data.  As I understand it, among other things, this list would reveal people that registered to vote without a middle initial, but used one on their drivers license.  It would also reveal people that lawfully moved before the election without re-registering, or people that were properly registered, but unlawfully failed to change (or lawfully  decided not to renew) their driver's license. (Incidentally, losing your right to vote is not one of the penalties available for failing to change your drivers license within 30 or 60 days of a move).  That list would be circulated to Republican poll challengers, to challenge the identity of 600,000 some-odd voters on election day.  I believe local officials also sought to use it to pre-emptively scrub voters from the rolls. 

The Truth About ACORN's Voter Registration Drive

by: SharonRB

Mon Oct 13, 2008 at 12:02:13 PM EDT

COURTESY OF MARC AMBINDER - THE ATLANTIC
http://marcambinder.theatlanti...

To: Interested Parties
From: Bertha Lewis and Steve Kest
Date: October 9, 2008
Re: The Truth About ACORN's Voter Registration Drive

Election Day is less than a month away, and our efforts to make sure that low-income and minority voters have a voice and vote on November 4th are in full swing. Unfortunately, just as we've seen in previous election cycles, the more success we have in empowering these voters, the more attacks we have to fend off from partisan forces making unfounded accusations to disparage our work and help maintain the status quo of an unbalanced electorate. We want to take this opportunity to separate the facts of our successes from the falsehoods of our attackers.

Changing the Game: Voter Registration Drives Reshape the American Electorate

by: Project Vote

Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 17:57:38 PM EDT

Monday marked the last day to register to vote before November's presidential election in many states and the conclusion to one of the nation's largest nonpartisan voter registration drives in history. Helping more than 1.3 million of the America's underrepresented young, low-income and minority citizens register to vote, Project Vote and its voter registration drive partner, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), have played a leading role this election cycle in changing the face of the electorate to represent all Americans.

Project Vote & ACORN Complete Historic 1.3 Million Card Voter Registration Drive

by: Project Vote

Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 19:53:47 PM EDT

TIMELINE: Mich. Vote Caging Scheme Exemplifies Mounting Dirty Tricks Operations

by: Project Vote

Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 13:43:12 PM EDT

On Sept. 10, reporter Eartha Jane Melzer of online publication, the Michigan Messenger broke the story that the GOP of Macomb County, Mich. was planning to use public lists of foreclosures to challenge the eligibility of potentially thousands of low-income and minority voters in that hard-hit region. Since that time (and at least party through Project Vote's efforts to catalyze action to stop the illegal disenfranchisement), the story has been picked up by multiple news outlets around the country and generated a lawsuit from the Obama campaign and the DNC on behalf of potentially-disenfranchised Mich. voters.

will.i.am and Tatyana Ali to Hold "Operation Registration" College Tour and Canvass Kick-Offs

by: rich

Fri Sep 19, 2008 at 15:31:07 PM EDT

(From my inbox)

Update: Corrections made; there is not a stop at Michigan State University. Instead, it is at Grand Valley State University.

Member of the Black Eyed Peas and Star of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to Register Voters on Campuses Across Michigan

Detroit, MI – Will.i.am, of the Black Eyed Peas, and Tatyana Ali, of "Fresh Prince of Bel Air," will be appearing on college campuses and in Campaign for Change offices this weekend across Michigan to register voters and energize volunteer canvassers.  Will.i.am and Ali will be hop-scotching college campuses across Michigan on Saturday and Sunday, to encourage students to register to vote prior to the October 6th registration deadline and making stops at local campaign offices for canvass kick-offs.

Events for Saturday, September 20, 2008, include (all listed events are open to press):

10:00 to 10:15 am
Lansing Canvas Kickoff
Lansing Campaign for change office
505 N. Capitol Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933

11:30 am to 12:15 pm   
Albion College Operation Registration
The Quad
611 E. Porter St
Albion, Michigan 49224
 
1:30 to 2:30 pm
Western Michigan University Step for Change Show
Parking lot outside Sangren Hall
1903 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5421

3:30 to 4:15 pm
Benton Harbor Canvass Kickoff
Broadway Park- Broadway & Empire St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022

5:45 to 6:30 pm
Grand Valley State University Operation Registration
Kirkhof Center West Lawn
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401 

7:00 to 7:45 pm
Hope College Operation Registration
The Kletz Center
150 E. 10th Street
Holland, MI 49423

8:20 to 9:30 pm
Grand Rapids Eastown Festival
Grand Rapids Office
1433 Wealthy St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

More information on Sunday events to be released tomorrow.

Will This Be the Year For Young Voters? Part 1

by: dzhuang

Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 22:08:28 PM EDT

Obama's message of hope and change has reached out to millions of young voters, and I do not understand how some people can not understand why. Republicans think it might have to do with the age of the candidate, so they bring in Palin. Now, she may be "young," but she certainly does not bring nearly the same understanding to issues that concern youth voters the most as Obama does.

With a young population experiencing piled-up college debt and the pressure of finding new jobs, they refuse to believe that a continuation of the current administration could be the solution, especially since John McCain barely shares the compassion Obama does for education and job growth.  Our youth have also become disillusioned by the failed policies of the Iraq War and have felt the stress of escalating costs of health care within their families. Who deals with these issues with an eye out for how we feel? I don't see McCain caring much about what we think. The latest Gallup polls from September 7 reveal our thoughts exactly--60% favor Obama while only 32% favor McCain.

But putting all political affiliation aside, will youth participation shock us this election season?

Voting Groups Caution Michigan Election Officials on eve of National Secretary of State Conference

by: SharonRB

Mon Jul 28, 2008 at 12:38:21 PM EDT