Armchair Action, Week of May 25th: Hands Off Our Vote!
WHAT: The people of Michigan can not ignore attacks on free and democratic elections. Although we have some of the strongest voter protections in the nation, we are not immune to right-wing efforts to restrict access to the ballot box. We are asking you to contact your state representative and senator to demand that they stand up and declare publicly and loudly that they will they do everything they can to protect our fundamental right to vote.
WHY: Michigan voters have fought hard for accessiblity, security and fair representation. We, the citizens of Michigan stood up for voting rights in 2018 when we overwhelmingly approved ballot proposals which made voting easier and ended gerrymandering. Then in 2022, after threats to our elections system, Michiganders passed a constitutional amendment to further protect the rights of voters and enhance election security.
Michigan has strong protections today because we, the voters, demanded it. But we cannot assume those protections will always be safe. The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais has effectively gutted the remainder of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The brazen anti-voter acts by politicians which followed Callais are precisely why we must pressure our electeds, both Republican and Democrat, to publically announce their position and commit to actions that support our access to the ballot box.
In his investigation into the 2020 election, Republican Senator Ed McBroom concluded that Michigan has a sound election system and that cries of voter fraud and rigged elections were bunk. Now our own UP representatives—Karl Bohnak, Dave Prestin and Greg Markkanen have voted in favor of House Bill 4765, which mirrors the SAVE Act. Voter fraud is incredibly rare in this state. Of the 5.7 million votes cast in 2024, 15 people improperly voted. This bill requiring new documentary proof of citizenship of every Michigan voter, could prevent tens of thousands of eligible voters from participating in the next election. Like the SAVE Act, House Bill 4765 is essentially a Voter Elimination Bill; its true purpose is to ensure that fewer Michiganders vote.
The bill is currently pending in the Democratically controlled senate and it will undoubtedly fail, however, our local representatives have shown that their fealty to party outweighs their duty to protect our fundamental right to cast our votes. Do not let this slide by carelessly. Show them we are watching. Call them out! HANDS OFF OUR VOTE!
TAKE ACTION:
Use the information below to contact Representative Bohnak and Senator McBroom. An example of a letter is provided which you can use or adapt as you see fit.
Call or Write:
Karl Bohnak Contact
🕻 (517) 373-0498
Mailing Address:
S-1488 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
Senator McBroom Contact
🕻 (517) 373-7840
SenEMcBroom@senate.michigan.gov
Mailing Address:
Senator Ed McBroom
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Here’s a sample letter:
Subject: Vote NO on Reconciliation Package [Insert Bill Number if available]
Dear Representative Bohnak,
My name is________. I live at______ and am one of your constituents, the people you were elected to represent.
At a recent meeting at the Skandia townhall we were made aware that you voted in favor of HB 4765, a bill which mirrors the SAVE Act. This is not about noncitizens voting–of the nearly 5.7 million votes cast in 2024, 15 people improperly voted. As you know, this bill will make it harder for Michiganders to vote, spend a ridiculous amount of money on needless red tape and bureaucracy, and duplicate our existing voter ID law. Passage of this bill would potentially block tens of thousands of eligible Michiganders from voting. Kansas and Arizona are warning signs of how documentary proof of citizenship laws backfire. County and township clerks, the people who actually administer our elections, do not support this bill. Can you stand up and state publicly how you square these facts with your support for Michigan’s anti-voter bill. As the votes on this bill fell strictly along partisan lines, I am concerned that your loyalty to party has clouded your judgement.
(If possible add a personal story here)
The Upper Peninsula has some of the highest voter turnout in our state. The types of changes to our voting system that HB 4756 would bring about would come as a shock to voters who expect business as usual. For those living in isolated rural places, everything, including voting, takes more time and effort. The situation in rural communities has been exacerbated by budget cuts that have gutted office services at both the state and national level. As a longtime resident of the UP, you are fully aware of the accessibility challenges we face.
Are you committed to ensuring that every eligible UP voter has access to the ballot box? Please help me understand how your vote for HB 4765 improves election integrity more than it impedes voter access.
I eagerly await your response.
Thank you for your time and for your service to our district.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
Dear Senator McBroom,
My name is________. I live at______ and am one of your constituents, the people you were elected to represent.
After the 2020 general election your committee lead a “lengthy, thorough and revealing” investigation into the integrity of Michigan’s election system. The report concluded that there was no widespread evidence of voter fraud or concerns for our election integrity. You concluded that “The committee strongly recommends citizens use a critical eye and ear toward those who have pushed demonstrably false theories for their own personal gain.” At a time of intense devision in our country, your actions took courage.
In April, the Michigan House passed HB 4765, a bill which mirrors the SAVE Act. This is not about noncitizens voting–of the nearly 5.7 million votes cast in 2024, 15 people improperly voted. As you know, this bill will make it harder for Michiganders to vote, spend a ridiculous amount of money on needless red tape and bureaucracy, and duplicate our existing voter ID law. Passage of this bill would potentially block tens of thousands of eligible Michiganders from voting. Kansas and Arizona are warning signs of how documentary proof of citizenship laws backfire. County and township clerks, the people who actually administer our elections, do not support this bill.
(If possible add a personal story here)
The SAVE Act, HB 4765, and the petition labled Americans for Citizens Voting are all the same voter supression deguised as election reform. Documentary proof of citizenship would make the process more cumbersome and create lasting damage. For those living in isolated rural places, like the UP everything, including voting, takes more time and effort. I am calling on you to again courageously stand for the people of the UP that you represent and speak up for our access to the ballot box.
Thank you for your time and for your service to our district. I eagerly await your response.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
Ongoing Actions
Here in Michigan, we have an Attorney General fighting to keep our elections free from Federal investigation, but we need to stay diligent. We need you to stay on the active voter roll. We don’t want you to be required to jump through extra hoops (that take time and sometimes extra documentation) to vote a provisional ballot and/or re-register last minute before the polls open.
YOUR ARMCHAIR ACTION:
Check the Voter Registration status for you and your family members!
Click here to access the Michigan Secretary of State’s voter information page.
National Voter Resources can be found by visiting http://vote.gov.
Article I Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution holds that the sole power to declare war resides with Congress. As Commander in Chief, the President has broad authority to engage our military in action. However, the War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires that the President notify Congress within 48 hours of action and limits the duration of engagement to 60 days without approval. Both the House and Senate have introduced resolutions that invoke the War Powers Resolution.
Congress must maintain its authority as a strong check on an executive branch whose overreach is beyond compare in recent US history. To be clear, the Iranian government is a ruthless entrenched regime whose crimes against humanity are well documented. But Trump and his cronies are no saviors. The Iranian regime has been able to withstand countless assaults over the decades. “Operation Epic Fury” is a reckless action that has no post-strike plan. There is a serious risk of wider regional conflict and another endless war.
Congressional Resolutions
In June, Senator Tim Kaine (D), a member of the Armed Services Committee introduced Senate Joint Resolution 59 to end unauthorized hostilities against Iran. Although the measure failed to move out of committee at that time, debate is currently underway and the Senate is expected to take up the resolution again this week. In the House, Representative Tom Massie (R) sponsored House Resolution 38 with the same goal. Jack Bergman of course, did not support the measure. Your voice matters!
Urgent Armchair Action:
We are asking you to use the 5 Calls App to call Senator Peters, Senator Slotkin, and Representative Bergman. Here is the link:
You can download it to your phone or access the 5 Calls website on your desktop computer by clicking here: https://5calls.org/. 5 Calls provides all the information you need to contact your representatives – including a script! It also keeps a record of the number of calls made via 5 Calls to each representative. This is critical information for holding our representatives accountable. Let’s jam the circuits! If you are unable to get a response, keep trying or use the local office numbers.
If you are uncomfortable with or unable to use the app, call using the numbers below:
Gary Peters: 202-224-6221 (Washington DC) Peters’ Michigan Offices (click here)
Elissa Slotkin 202-224-4822 (Washington DC) Slotkin’s Michigan Offices (click here)
Jack Bergman 202-225-4735 (Washington DC) Michigan: 906-273-1970 or 231-294-1596
Here’s your script for the calls to Peters and Slotkin:
“Hi, my name is ___________ and I’m a constituent from (YOUR TOWN). My address is ___________________. I’m calling to urge [Senator Peters \ Senator Slotkin \ Representative Bergman] to support [Senate Joint Resolution 59 \ House Congressional Resolution 38] , the bipartisan war powers resolution, and stop the Trump administration from continued military strikes on Iran without congressional authorization. Congress must maintain its war powers authority and prevent a military escalation in Iran. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
Mayday! Mayday! Billionaire Crisis!
On May Day, Indivisible will join the AFLCIO for a general strike “Workers Over Billionaires”. We need you to help raise the alarm.
Unions have always led the fight for economic justice for working people, but they’re being outplayed.
WHAT: This week’s action is simple: As you abstain from work and from big corporations, we ask that you take some time to learn how the US tax code works to supercharge the skyrocketing wealth of America’s billionaires.
Then, armed with facts and conversation points, we’d like you to get out and spread the word to your neighbors, friends and family. Sound the alarm! Shine your light on truth.
WHY: Between 1975 and 2023, nearly $80 trillion in wealth was funneled from the bottom 90% of Americans to the top 1%. Shockingly, one of the primary drivers of this wealth shift is the US tax code; it actually helps create these billionaires.
Here’s what a billion dollars looks like: If you earned $10,000 a day, it would take 100 days to make $1 million, but 274 YEARS to make a billion. Of those billions, America’s wealthiest often pay zero or negligible taxes (Pro Publica, “The Secret IRS Files,” 8 June 2021.)
Because we know your time is valuable, we’ve gathered some credible resources to help fuel these crucial conersations.
TO READ:
The Guardian: “Billionaire fortunes have reached all-time highs under Trump. So has the movement to tax them“
Mother Jones: “The American Experiment Has Been Infected By Oligarchs“
Patriotic Millionaires: “AMERICA 250: The Money Agenda – A Bold Surprisingly Simple Vision for the Next 250 years of American Prosperity“
TO WATCH or LISTEN:
Trevor Noah, “Why Aren’t Billionaires Being Taxed?” (less than 3 min)
NPR, “America’s Tax Code has Created a New Aristocracy.” An interview with Ray Madoff (8 min)
New Economic Thinking, “Why the Rich don’t Pay Taxes.” A deeper look with Ray Madoff (26 min)
Heather Cox Richardson, American Conversations: Vanessa Williamson whose book is The Price of Democracy. (41 min)
“America’s Tax System is Broken.” Derek Thompson, Plain English Podcast. (1 hr. The first 4 minutes are crucial. Thompson’s guest has a fairly strong accent. Be patient, it’s worth your time.)
Past Actions
Following the example of other Michigan communities such as Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, we drafted a letter calling for a county policy proactively addressing how federal law enforcement agencies operate in Marquette County.
The letter was presented at the February 3 meeting of the Marquette County Board of Commissioners. To our surprise, we were not the only community members requesting a policy concerning DHS and ICE. During the public comment period, 6 people spoke to the same issue with several others present in support. During closing comments, Commissioners Alholm, LaLonde and Numinen spoke in support of our request. Commissioner Numinen was especially forceful, saying “we are living in a national nightmare.” The Commission concluded by directing Marquette County staff to research the issue and put it on the agenda for the next meeting (Tuesday, Feb. 17).
We were all excited about the response of the Commission. However, we also understand that the battle is not yet won. Our first request for citizen action was for people to mail a postcard to the Commission in support of our letter and its proposal to develop a policy.
It is clear that the Commission, and Commissioner Numinen in particular, have received backlash from pro-MAGA individuals. Those Commissioners need our support! In the next Commission meeting, we must endorse a strong, proactive policy to protect our community. If you want to make the greatest impact, please attend and speak during the public comment periods. In terms of attendance, size really DOES matter.
Please attend the upcoming Marquette County Commission board meetings in the Skewis Annex of the Marquette County Courthouse on Baraga Street to show support for this resolution until one is passed.
See upcoming meeting dates, Zoom links, and agendas here
If you are unable to attend the Commission meeting in person, you can still express your support from home in the following ways:
- Speak to the commission from home. There is an option to comment at the board meeting via Zoom.
- Write a postcard or brief letter to the Commission in support of developing a policy. Be sure to include your name and address. Mail it to: Marquette County Board of Commissioners, Henry A. Skewis Courthouse Annex, 234 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI
- Email the commission. Public comments can be submitted to the County Clerk at clerk@marquettemi.gov Be sure to include your name and address.
ACTION: Urge three people who have never come to a protest to come to No Kings 3!
Emphasize that they can help turn back the regime simply by showing up! There will be music and dancing, costumes and signs, and many like-minded people! It will be fun!
Even with mobility issues, anyone can participate! People can drive by, and beep and wave flags and signs from their cars. They can even decorate their cars with pro-democracy themes!
WHY: Hands Off (April 2025) saw over 3 million protesters, the first No Kings (June 2025) had over 5 million, and No Kings 2 (October 2025) had over 7 million. Mass movements have a better chance of success when they mobilize 3.5% of a population. In the U.S. that translates to 11.5 to 12 million people. WE CAN DO THIS!
The president thinks his rule is absolute, but in America we don’t have kings. We will not back down from his chaos, corruption, and cruelty. This country belongs to We the People — the people who care, who show up, who stand for dignity, peace, a life we can afford, and real opportunity.
Still on the fence about going to a protest? Read this terrific essay by historian Timothy Snyder on why it’s important to show up for NO KINGS 3 on March 28th.
RESULTS: Several questions were received through multiple LSRI channels, and moderators grouped them into 15 questions to
On March 21, Lake Superior Region Indivisible hosted the Marquette candidate forum for Michigan’s First Congressional District (the U.S. House seat currently held by Jack Bergman). The upcoming primaries — the vetting stage of our elections — are critical to the grassroot efforts underway to change the direction of this country. All primary candidates have been invited to the forum. The candidate forum is not a debate. It’s actually a job interview where each of the candidates can address issues brought up by us — their potential employers. This is an opportunity to meet the candidates, raise concerns, listen and compare.
This is where YOU come in:
We asked for YOUR input in the form of questions to the candidates. Please take a moment to reflect on the issues that affect you. We hope you are able to attend the forum. If not, your voice can still be a part of this conversation by responding to the survey below. We expect this event to be widely covered by our local media. Your input will help to shape our understanding of the individuals who are asking to represent us.
What is Armchair Actions?
For those of us in Marquette and the rest of the UP, defeating authoritarianism starts close to home: namely, mobilizing citizen power to persuade local government to protect our communities from potential ICE and Border Patrol incursions, invasions and brutalities.
The goal of Armchair Actions is to coordinate small actions that can be taken from home which, when done collectively, can have great impact. Like you, we are appalled at the sickening events in our country, and we want to do as much as we can to support our communities and protect our futures. Much remains to be done to develop this new group’s structure, methods and format, but we’re off to an excellent start.