Michigan residents can use the Secretary of State's Publis Voter Information Center to verify registration, find their local polling station, see the their ballot, read details on proposals and much more. An incredibly useful website for both beginners and highly informed voters.


No on 2

One thing Michigan voters should be keenly aware of is the exact wording of Proposal 04-2:

A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO SPECIFY WHAT CAN BE RECOGNIZED AS A "MARRIAGE OR SIMILAR UNION" FOR ANY PURPOSE

The proposal would amend the state constitution to provide that "the union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose.

The whole issue of marriage being defined as "one man and one woman" is more about a majority's attempt to be more equal than a particular minority than it is about the slightly less cynical but even more absurd idea of "traditional values." (The "traditional values" argument kept women and ethnic minorities from voting in this country for a long, long time.) Even if you consider yourself a moderate who takes a similar personal view as John Kerry about the definition of marriage, the real sticking point of this amendment should be the "...or similar union" portion. Same-sex marriage is (embarrassingly for anyone who values liberty and equality) already illegal in Michigan. What this constitutional amendment attempts to do is go way beyond that and remove any formal recognition for domestic partners.

The following statement from Michigan Equality explains the long-term implications of Proposal 2:

This proposed amendment bans legal recognition of any union similar to marriage entered into by same-sex as well as opposite sex couples. The vague "for any purpose" language would permanently outlaw domestic partner benefits under which worker's families and children are protected. This amendment will, for generations to come, deny the possibility of legal recognition of civil unions and thereby deny many of our citizens the benefits, rights and responsibilities available to those who are legally able to marry. This amendment discriminates against a class of Michigan citizens. Our constitution has never been used as an instrument of discrimination.