An image with a dark teal background and vector art of 3 differently sized t-shirts. The image reads "Wellness is Not 'One Size Fits All'" in large letters and "Transcend Fitness" in small letters. The Transcend the Binary logo is in the bottom right corner. There is a light teal border around the image.

Make your vote count.

by | Oct 18, 2020 | Trans rights, Voting rights | 0 comments

The winning margin in 2016 was 0.3% in the state of Michigan. 

Over 150,000 LGBTQ+ folks did not vote in the general election. 

Graphic illustrates the total registered voters in Michigan in 2016, the

source: them, 50 states of queer

An estimated 21% of the LGBTQ+ community are voter eligible, and currently unregistered. Collective action and mobilizing LGBTQ+ folks to pledge to vote is mission-critical. We must work through democractic channels, as well as continue to advocate for, and create systemic level change so that all within our community are liberated. We join in these efforts alongside GLAAD, and their campaign for Make your voice heard and help others. We continue to educate on voter rights, along with our friends at the Ruth Ellis Center and Affirmations, making voter information accessible. We follow the lead of the LGBTQ Task Force, partnering with HeadCount, to #VoteWithPride. We believe in the collective power of our voices, and ask you to #QueerTheVote alongside us, the National Center for Trans Equality, further supported by LGBTQ Nation media, and the hundreds of organizations across the nation surging to break records at the polls. 

Be a part of this collective impact. Your vote matters.

Make sure you are registered to vote. 

Within seconds, you can verify your voter registration here.

Register to make your voice heard.

register online or by mail (up until 10/19)

You can also register, up until 10/19, at:

  • Secretary of State branch office
  • Any state agency that provides public assistance or services to people with disabilities
register in person through Election Day

You can register any time up to Election Day, at 5 pm.

  • Go to your city/township clerk’s office and submit your voter application in person.
  • Bring your proof of residency (digital copies are accepted!). Documents include:
    • Michigan drivers license or state ID
    • Current utility bill
    • Bank statement
    • Paycheck or government check
    • Other government documents 

For information on locating your clerk’s office, click here.

Read more about how to register to vote on Election Day, here.

 

 

eligibility

To be eligible to register to vote you must be:

  • A Michigan resident (at the time you register) and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
  • A United States citizen
  • At least 18 years of age by 11/03/2020
  • Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

Proof of residency if registering within two weeks of Election: If you register within 14 days of Election Day, You must show proof of where you live. Documents must have your name and current address. You can show a digital copy of documents. Acceptable documents include:

  • Michigan driver’s license or state ID
  • Current utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Paycheck or government check
  • Other government document
voting and housing insecurity

You have a right to vote regardless of housing stability. 

On the voter registration form, any of the following are acceptable options for home address: 

  • a shelter address
  • a street corner
  • a park address
  • a place you usually stay
  • an address where you receive mail

Homelessness, housing instability, or resource insecurity does not erode your right to vote. Your vote matters. You matter. 

voting as a student
  • If you’re from Michigan and go to school here: 
    • Register to vote at your school address or your home address.
  • If you’re from Michigan and go to a school in another state: 
    • Register to vote at your home address in Michigan.
  • If you’re not from Michigan but go to school here: 
    • Register to vote at your school address in Michigan.

If you have a Michigan driver’s license or state ID card, and you are registered to vote in Michigan, your voter registration address and the address on your ID will be the same.

If you change the address on one, it will automatically change the other. The Secretary of State will mail you a sticker with your new address to place on your license or ID card.

Plan how you will cast your vote!

vote from home (absentee)
  • If you have not yet requested an AV ballot: 
    • Do so immediately,
    • OR, even better, skip this section and check out early voting in person.
  • If you already have your AV ballot, it’s recommended to drop the ballot off in-person at the clerk’s office, or find a secure drop box.
    • Use this link to find the location of clerk/drop off boxes
  • Deadline for return:
    • You have until 8 pm on Election Day (11/3/20) to return it to your city/township clerk’s office.
    • Your ballot will not be counted unless your signature is on the return envelope and it matches your signature on file.
    • If you received assistance voting the ballot, then the signature of the person who helped you must also be on the return envelope.
  • Persons authorized to deliver your signed absent voter ballot: 
    • You
    • A family member (same last name? call and check with your clerk’s office)
    • A person residing in your household (same address on state ID? check what verification will be necessary)
    • Mail carrier
    • Election official

Read more, here.

    vote early (in person)
    • Find your clerk’s office with this link 
    • Call ahead to confirm hours 
    • Request your absentee voter ballot in person, and vote it. 
    • Place your ballot
      • in the secrecy sleeve
      • and then n the green and white envelop
      • sign the outside of the envelope 
    • Submit it to our clerk. 

    Read more, here.

      voting on election day

       

      Transcend the Binary will be available to answer calls on Election Day (248.533.0797) for any assistance and support. 

      Email us at info@transcendthebinary.org for our Voting While Trans voter guide. 

      We will be posting more resources in the coming days.  

       

      Read more at michigan.gov/vote.

      Trans Rights are Human Rights

      As a nonprofit organization serving our gender diverse community, it is our duty to advocate for, and increase awareness about voting rights. As trans/gender diverse folks are resilient – and marginalized – spanning across all racial, ethnic, gender expressions, religions, nuerodiverse, alter-abilities, chronic illness statuses, military experience, and cultural backgrounds, we have a unique opportunity to make an impact. Our voices matter.  

      Democracy requires of us participation – within, outside of, and in between elections. At Transcend, we commit our leadership, our team, and of our resources, to continue to advocate for the liberation and empowerment of our communities. The general election of 2020, while a significant mile marker, it does not end there. #BlackTransLivesMatter #QTPOCEmpowerment #TransInclusiveHealthCare #AccesstoTransCare #EconomicEmpowerment #TransRightsAreHumanRights #YourVoteMatters

      Transcend the Binary 

      Transcend is a community-driven organization led by trans & gender diverse folks. Our team spans across multidisciplinary backgrounds, from social workers, therapists, pharmacists, physician, researchers, journalists, creatives, peer advocates, multi-media and broadcasting, and more. We build programs and design service delivery through the lens of the community, and actively seek to create change through healthcare systems, institutions, and broaden awareness on the needs of our gender diverse community. We have been supporting our community and local families in the name of Transcend since 2015, and prior to that, our co-founder Darnell Jones RPh since 2013. 

      by trans folks, for trans folks

      Stay in the Loop