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LWV, Journal partner on 2018 Nonpartisan Election Guide

MARQUETTE–The League of Women Voters in partnership with The Mining Journal has produced the “2018 Nonpartisan Voter Guide” inserted in today’s paper.

“The voter guide is at the heart of the League of Women Voters’ mission to encourage active and informed participation in government,” Darlene Allen, chairwoman for the LWV of Delta County, Marquette County Unit, said in an email. “It is a nonpartisan and important tool for the community to use to learn about the candidates running for office, to read about their positions and views, and compare those views to the views of other candidates. It’s important that each individual voter has the opportunity to make an informed and personal choice. We believe this guide can help them to do this.”

In April 2017, the LWV of Delta County, Marquette County Unit announced the reestablishment of the league in Marquette County. The group had previously disbanded in 2006 after 40 years of service.

“The Mining Journal had worked with the LWV in the past before they had ceased operations in the Marquette area,” said Journal Publisher Jim Reevs. “They always did a great job of researching the candidates. We were excited to hear that the LWV was reorganizing and we immediately decided to join with them in publishing a local voters guide for the upcoming election.”

Readers will find Information on state and local elections and initiatives. The guide profiles candidates for Congress; the Michigan Senate’s 37th and 38th districts; the state House’s 107th, 108th, 109th and 110th districts; the Marquette City Commission; mayoral and council races in the cities of Negaunee and Ishpeming; the Marquette City Commission; Marquette Board of Light and Power; and local school boards.

State and local LWV volunteers reached out to municipalities from across Michigan to compile information on the elections, races and candidates for this guide.

“We rely heavily on the support and assistance from county clerks throughout the state to provide the listing of the proposals, races and candidates that we will see on the ballot,” Allen said, noting that Marquette County Clerk Linda Talsma was a valuable resource during this process.

LWV volunteers contacted each of the candidates after preparing questions designed to help voters learn about the candidates and their qualifications.

“We do our best to follow-up with the candidates to encourage them to reply, but it is always the candidate’s choice,” Allen said.

Once the information was collected volunteers then entered it into a database for Voters411.org, an online voter guide that is available across the country. Election information is sorted on the site so that each voter only sees facts and details about candidates and issues that will be voted on in this election cycle.

“When voters are informed they are empowered,” Allen stated. “They can go in to vote with the confidence that comes from taking the time to learn about the candidates and the issues. No one likes to go in to vote and just check a box without knowing who or what they are voting for. We hope this guide not only informs citizens but also encourages them to get out and vote. We want the community to find the guide to be a valuable Election Day resource that they look for before every election. We hope that citizens across Marquette County will know and be pleased that the LWV is back.”

For upcoming election information, the League of Women Voters on-line voter guide is available at www.vote411.org.

Corey Kelly can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243. Her email address is ckelly@miningjournal.net.

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