WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) — With Election Day two weeks away and early in-person starting this weekend, Democrats and Republicans alike are trotting party members to urge voters to cast their ballots.
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, was in Kalamazoo Tuesday afternoon to encourage Western Michigan University students to get out and vote. At a moderated event at University Roadhouse billed as a “fireside chat,” she talked about the challenges young people face and how they are different from those of older generations. She said history has shown young people make a big difference for Democrats.
“I have a sweet spot for the younger generation,” Crockett said. “I personally believe that Gen Z can absolutely set us on the right trajectory. When we look at the midterm elections, they kept saying the House was going to be a big ‘red wave.’ I always laugh because it was a red dribble. One of the reasons it was a red dribble is because we had a historic turnout when it came to young people, specifically.”
She also touted what she called the successes of the Biden-Harris administration, including work to support the domestic production of semiconductor chips, infrastructure funding and a program aimed at reducing inflation.
Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, visited Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille in Wyoming to focus on downballot races. He urged people to vote for Republicans in Michigan House of Representatives races.
Democrats have held the majority in the Michigan Legislature for the last two years. Republicans could flip the House on Nov. 5, though the Senate will remain closely divided because those seats are not up for a vote this cycle.
Snyder was governor for eight years, all of those with a Republican majority in both legislative chambers.
“We do need to have conversations and we’re doing this to be more positive in Michigan,” said Snyder, whose catchphrase as governor was “relentless positive action.” “Michigan is going through a period of decline again. The population in shrinking again and that’s a real concern to me, and that why I think it’s important to get my voice out there again. And it was great, the Michigan House Republicans asked for help. They came to me and said, ‘Would you help out?’ And I said, ‘Sure, I’m happy to, but a couple things can we make sure we’re working on a positive agenda?’ And they followed through with that.”
He called on the state government to cut income taxes, pay down debt, tailor education for jobs of the future and be more intentional about economic development.
Absentee voting is already underway in Michigan, with nearly 2.3 million ballots requested and more than 1.1 million of them already returned as of Tuesday morning, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Early in-person voting must begin statewide by Saturday. Election Day is Nov. 5.
