Courtesy Photo-(L to R)Ross Yednock, LaShawn Erby, Dedria Humphries Barker and Lori Adams Simon talking with south Lansing voters about the election and encouraging them to exercise their right to vote.
LANSING, MI - The May 7, 2024, Lansing City Charter Commission election is only days away and candidates like Ross Yednock, Dedria Humphries Barker, and Lori Adams Simon, are making a final push to both educate voters and encourage them to exercise their right to vote. Joined by several other candidates at a Silver Stone Apartments on Lansing’s southside, Yednock spoke with prospective voters about the city charter, the upcoming election, and why even people who usually don’t vote should show up to the polls.
“This is not the typical election where in two years you have a chance to vote for someone else,” said Yednock. “This election is for our city’s constitutional election. It’s the most important election in more than 40 years and in two we will either have a charter that reflects how Lansing residents want to be governed into the future, or one that continues to put money, status, and power over people.”Unlike other city elections where voters select candidates to serve a term and make decisions on laws about parking, rental homes, and how to spend the city’s tax dollars, the Charter Commission will look at the rules the city government follows and if they are working, or not. Among other things, the Commission could propose to: change the number of City Council members; the number of districts and at large seats; the role and power of the Mayor’s office; the Board of Water and Light; how advisory commissions and boards are set up; and even if Lansing elections are held during presidential and gubernatorial elections, or continue on odd-number years.
“I’ve gone door-to-door across Lansing with a handful of other candidates to get the word out about this important election and answer questions for residents. We’ve been to Churchill Downs, the Lansing-Eaton neighborhood, Baker Donora, the Westside, and Eastside to listen and learn, ” said Yednock. “Unfortunately, most candidates are not doing this work. They are relying on endorsements to carry them to victory, which is a red flag to me. If elected, will they listen to the special interests that funded their campaign or Lansing families they chose not to engage?“
Yednock is one of 36 people running for 9 positions and is part of the Lansing Community Alliance, a group of nine candidates dedicated to putting people first. All nine of these candidates and be found online through linktr.ee/lansingvotes. Voters who were mailed a ballot in the mail have until 8 pm on May 7th to return it to the city. Voters who want to vote in person can do so early on Saturday, May 4, or Sunday, May 5 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at 1221 Reo Road, Lansing Michigan 48910. Or, they can vote at their polling location on May 7 from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm. Voters may vote for up to 9 people, but they do not have to vote for 9, however, if they accidentally vote for more than 9, none of their votes will count. For more information and to find their polling location, go to LansingVotes.gov.