Michigan Sec of State Is Nice!

[IdaBriggs]

I am an independent voter who will be supporting Kerry this fall. That being said, I will confess that I generally vote "the women's ticket" in my state and local elections, which meant that I voted for Jennifer Granholm (D) for Governor and Terri Lynn Land (R) for Secretary of State. Both are doing a good job, and I am satisfied with them....

And then I watched the "Now with Bill Moyers" on Sunday where the Florida debacle was one of the main topics. I must admit my husband and I were making disparaging remarks along the lines of "that would never happen here in Michigan because we are sane" type of comments, when the end of the segment threw up a picture of Terri with the "and the important swing state of Michigan has a Secretary of State who is Co-Chair of the Bush Re-Election Committee." Talk about heart failure!!! I don't care which side of the issue my Secretary of State comes down on, the idea of having Michigan become the laughing stock that Florida was due to a PERCEPTION of possible bias is HORRIFYING!!!

So I called them. I spoke to someone on the Election boards, who listened with great respect, then transferred me to Terri's office, where I spoke with her secretary, who also treated me most courteously. Then, TERRI CALLED ME BACK and took the time to explain that a) she is not the one who certifies our election ala Katherine Harrison/Florida, and b) she is NOT a co-chair, although she is on the Executive Board. (She didn't have to say it, but I think all of the top execs in our state are on the board for both sides, and I'm okay with that. I was NOT okay with the Sec of State, who counts the votes, being in charge of getting someone else elected...)

Wow! Can I just say how pleased I am with the Michigan Secretary of State for treating a voter concern with such respect? They will be contacting the "Now" show to get the facts fixed. I can live with that. And while I wasn't concerned (okay, a little bit!) about the ethics of my top people, I am pleased they understand the importance of the appearance of appropriate behavior. :)

Best, Ida

[U2Shark]

1. Cool!

As a fellow Michigander - I gotta respect service like that!

[On the Road]

2. It's Comments Like Yours

which make officials all over the country know that voters are watching very cafefully this time. That's got to be beneficial.

I think it would be better for the official in charge of election to be independent and not partisan. If it's not the Sec of State in Michigan, do you know who it is?

[MuseRider]

3. Wow a real response!

Our SoS will not return calls, his people will not talk about the elections on the phone and e mail and snail mail are ignored.

[noonwitch]

4. I've only heard good things about Terri Land, although I voted for Butch

Butch Hollowell, that is. He goes to my church.

[IdaBriggs]

5. Loved His Ads

I remember they made me laugh. He seemed like a nice guy, but (like I said) I voted the women's ticket. I hope he runs for something else. :) Best, Ida

[fob]

6. Richard H Austin. Best. Secretary of State. Ever.

I still have my driver's training cert with his signature.

Way to go getting the facts. Still, I'm leary of even decent republicans at this point. Since she called you back, keep up the calls and let her know you are watching, in a nice way of course!

[slappypan]

7. what voting system do you have in MI?

Punchcards? Touchscreen? I am moving to MI next week.

[5thGenDemocrat]

8. I don't know that Michigan has one system

Here in Saginaw, we use those big, optical scan cards (with printout). And to the poster above, yes, Richard Austin set the bar high in regard to SoS service. It's one of the departments that work pretty well.
John
Where you moving to, slappy?

[slappypan]

9. Hancock, up in da U.P.

probably have to carve my vote out of a log using a chainsaw or something