Register to Vote in Michigan

Here is the link for a Michigan Voter Registration Application. It is a PDF file and can be filled out right on the computer. Voter applicants will then have to print out the form and sign it.  Please read the instructions carefully (there are only a few).

www.michigan.gov/documents/MIVoterRegistration_97046_7.pdf

Applicants can then either mail the form to their county clerk (who will forward the application to the appropriate township or city clerk) or turn it in, in person, to their township or city clerk.  Addresses for each of Michigan’s 83 county clerks appear on the form’s instructions page.

Here are a couple of things to remember:

1.) Mailed applications must be postmarked by the registration deadline: Monday, October 6th.

2.) First time voters cannot vote absentee unless they register in person by hand-delivering their application to the Township or City Clerk.

3.) The address on the application must match the address on the applicant’s Michigan driver’s license. If an applicant does not have a valid Michigan driver’s license, or Michigan ID, they can send in a copy of another acceptable form of ID with a current address. These include: Tribal ID cards; copy of paycheck stub with address; copy of utility bill; a copy of any other government-issued ID.

4.) If the applicant does not receive a voter ID card within 3 weeks, they should call their township/city clerk IMMEDIATELY. They may want to keep a copy of their application in case any dispute arises.

LTBB Revenue Sharing

From the Petoskey News Review:

New casino revenue sharing approach planned

By Ryan Bentley News-Review Staff Writer

A more specific framework has been crafted for how Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians casino proceeds should be shared with the local community.

Continue reading

Representations of Michigan Indians in the Press

Nick Reo’s recent post on online posts written in response to the Inland settlement reminded me of a dissertation by Scott G. Sochay, “Newspaper Images of Native Americans: Michigan Newspaper Coverage of Treaties and Compacts Affecting Indians in the Territory and State of Michigan” (1998). The diss. covers the 1819Treaty of Saginaw, the 1836 Treaty of Washington, and the 1993 gaming compacts.

It’s a large document, but you can download it here:  Sochay Dissertation

The Keno Case

In State of Michigan v. Little River Band of Ottawa Indians et al., the State is suing LRB and LTBB for violation of the gaming compacts requirement that the tribes share revenue from their gaming operations — LTBB Compact & LRB Compact. The tribes stopped payment when Governor Granholm authorized the state to begin keno at bars and restaurants. Senior District Court Judge Miles granted the State’s motion for summary judgment last April. The appeal to the Sixth Circuit is forthcoming. As those briefs go online, we will upload them here.

Judge Miles’ opinion is here: Opinion and Order

The State’s motion for summary judgment is here: Motion for Summary J

The tribes’ response brief is here: Tribes’ Brief

The State’s reply brief is here: Reply Brief

Mich. DNR to Hold Public Meetings on Indian Settlement

From the Ironwood Daily Globe: “The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has planned a series of nine public meetings to discuss the recent Treaty of 1836 agreement on hunting, fishing and gathering rights that pertains to five Michigan Indian tribes.”