Whitmer Joins 7 Govs. In Voting Rights Pledge

By Susan J. Demas, Michigan Advance

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday joined the governors of Oregon, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Nevada, New Jersey, California and Minnesota in signing a pledge on voting rights.

The governors agreed to uphold the integrity of the November general election and to ensure every voter can vote safely via mail or in person. The pledge is in response to “unprecedented attacks” on voting rights, voting access and the U.S. Postal Service by President Trump.

“As we prepare for record voter turnout in the November election, we must do everything we can to ensure every American can vote safely,” said Whitmer. “We have already had two historic, successful elections this year while battling the COVID-19 pandemic. We are prepared to utilize what we have learned to maximize safety, while protecting every Michiganders’ right to vote and access to the ballot. I encourage everyone who can to make sure you’re registered to vote and to request your absentee ballot as soon as possible.”

Whitmer also thanked Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for “her round-the-clock work to ensure safe and secure elections.”

Terms of the pledge are:

• Carry out the November 3, 2020 general election, as mandated by law.
• Ensure electoral college electors vote as they are pledged, in line with the Supreme Court decision in Chiafalo v. Washington on July 6.
• Work with respective state and local level election officials to ensure the right to vote is accessible, safe and secure.
• Communicate with voters about the possibility of delayed results in some states due to increased use of mail-in voting and the status of the count post-election.
• Ensure that any substantive allegations of voter disenfranchisement or elections fraud are quickly and thoroughly investigated.