This year we vote in Detroit municipal elections. Local elections are the most important. While federal government, and federal elections, determine money directed to local cities, the local government determines how this money is spent. This is evident in how Duggan took a half billion dollars allocated by President Obama for foreclosure prevention and instead demolished homes and increased gentrification.

This year the goal is to GOTV, GET OUT THE VOTE (increase voter turnout)
We strive to meet or exceed the highest voter turnout
o In the world this is above 80%
o In the US this is roughly 66% < at peak >
o In Detroit for municipal elections, we barely get too 25% of registered voters

If more people vote, we can have bigger accomplishments.

If more people vote, more money and resources will be distributed across the community.

If more people vote, we will get more candidates that are better reflective of the populace.

If more people vote, money from special interests, like Gilbert, Illitch, Ross, will have less of an impact on the politics in our community.

Voting is a civic responsibility.

A group of racist white males tried to takeover the government to eliminate Black votes on January sixth.

Across the country white males seek to make it impossible for Black communities to vote.

If voting were not a strong factor in how government works, there would not be such an effort to stop people from voting.

If money were the deciding factor in politics and elections, voting would be encouraged.

The problems facing communities like ours are the lack of voting and the legacy of slavery.

Voting was such a concern that Blacks were written out of the constitution in the formation of the country. A civil war was fought to prevent Blacks from exercising rights as citizens.

The power of the vote has been a constant battle. Today we have the power that we do not use.