League of Women Voters of Berrien & Cass Counties

Judicial Elections in Michigan

Speakers

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver
Rich Robinson of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network
Clifford Arnebeck public interest lawyer and Ohio election expert

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver will be the lead speaker. A powerful woman, a fascinating speaker and a lady with a mission, Justice Weaver thinks that money is becoming too important in judicial elections and that the independence of the judiciary is at risk. Others share her opinion, such as retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and writer/attorney John Grisham.

This meeting is supported by a grant from the League of Women Voters Education fund with funding from the Program on Constitutional and Legal Policy of the Open Society Institute with additional support form the Pokagon Fund.

See the Calendar page for more information

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, another woman with a mission, spoke out on judicial elections in the LWVUS February 2008 National Voter magazine. “In many of these states, judicial elections have turned into expensive and partisan political campaigns. Partisan judicial elections, and the campaign cash that goes with them, tend to undermine the respect necessary for the courts to function. Not surprisingly, people tend to believe that if judges are receiving large cash contributions … it might affect their judgment in particular cases.”
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Here is information on the Spring Speakers Series Meeting #1

April 23 Senior Power: 2008 Election Issues

Speakers
From the Region IV Area Agency on Aging: Lynn Kellogg Chief Executive Officer and Christine Vanlandingham Fund and Product Development Officer.

From AARP: Kim Hodge Michigan Senior State Coordinator of Divided We Fail

This meeting is designed for senior citizens and their families and will explore issues of particular importance to seniors--and to all of us. The speakers from the Area Agency on Aging (headquartered in Benton Harbor) are advocates for seniors and have a legislative platform. Divided We Fail is a multi-organization, nationwide campaign to improve health care and financial stability for the elderly--and for all of us. Their literature has a wonderful slogan "Together America will accomplish amazing things. Divided we fail."

1. The request must be in writing, either in a letter or on the FOIA form of the government unit (usually available from government units).

2. Address the letter to the Freedom of Information Act Administrator and advise you are requesting documents pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.

4. The government unit has 5 days from receipt of the letter of request to respond. There can be a 10 day extension at their request.

5. You can examine the documents at the government office or they can be copied and sent to you, for a fee, which varies, but should be actual costs, including labor.

6. If your request is denied you must sue in Circuit Court within 180 days. If you prevail, you will be awarded attorney’s fees and costs in an amount set by the court.