This column originally appeared in Michigan Advance.
Every morning I “take a walk” with my mom before work. Since we live in different parts of the state, the walk takes place via cell phone, but it still gives us a chance to stay in touch and it gives me a reason to get a few steps in before the day gets going.
As I passed several candidate and proposal yard signs on a recent walk-and-talk, I reminded my mom to make sure she takes care of her absentee ballot, since I know she’ll be out of town for the primary election on August 2. She thanked me and said they’d already taken care of it. And despite the fact that I don’t always agree with my parents’ political views, I’m glad their vote will be counted.
You still have time to apply for an absentee ballot, too. Learn more here.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t express gratitude for the 2018 Promote the Vote campaign, which made no-reason absentee voting available to all Michigan voters. Because of Promote the Vote—and the 70% of Michigan voters who supported it—our state constitution now permits no-reason absentee voting, automatic voter registration, and other measures that make voting easier for all. That “all” is important. Mom and I may not see eye-to-eye when it comes to politics, but we both firmly believe in the power and integrity of the vote.
Voting should be easy. Voting should be secure. Regardless of which candidate you support, which neighborhood you live in, whether you live 12 miles from your polling place (like my parents) or two blocks from your polling place (like me), you should be able to cast your vote in a way that fits with your work schedule, your access to transportation, your mobility concerns, your health, your obligations as a caregiver, or anything else that may keep you from voting on a specific day at a specific time.
As a proponent of voters being able to, well, vote, I was thrilled to see that on July 11, Promote the Vote 2022 announced that they’d received 669,972 signatures—overwhelming support—for another positive constitutional amendment that would allow for early in-person voting and prohibit harassment while voting. It’s great news for all voters, but especially rural voters, military voters, and others who have faced barriers at the ballot box. It would also require post-election audits to be conducted by state and local officials.
The Michigan League for Public Policy has been an enthusiastic proponent of Promote the Vote since its work began, and our President and CEO Monique Stanton serves on the organization’s board. We certainly urge you to support this important voting rights initiative when you cast your vote in November.
But first, let’s get back to those yard signs I passed this morning. We want to make sure you’re focused on your primary election, when you get to decide on important local funding for schools, libraries, and public safety, and when you get to determine who will be on your ballot in November. So as soon as you can, make sure you take a look at your sample primary ballot here so you can be prepared to vote in the August 2 election.
Things might look different where you live this year now that the Michigan Independent Redistricting Commission has updated the state’s district maps. I knew my previous State Representative’s views quite well—she’s served my area for several years and has been a long-time fixture in the community. But I’m one of those folks who woke up living in a new district, and I have to say that I’m not well acquainted with the candidates who may end up representing me in November. Simply put, I have a lot of work to do before August 2.
But thanks to my brilliant and well-read colleagues at the League, my work just got easier.
The League’s analysts have developed a set of questions you can ask when you meet candidates on your doorstep, at in-person events, or in email or phone correspondence. These questions are based on the League’s issue areas—things like healthcare, housing, fairness in the economy and workplace, education, immigration, child well-being and more.
The questions make it easy to learn where your candidates stand on the things you value, and it’s also a great educational tool if you want to learn more (or help your candidates learn more) about the policies that matter to your community.
And on that note, I have to run. There’s a candidate at my door (no joke).
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
