More Power for Your Vote?
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Updated: 9:00 PM Aug 22, 2007
More Power for Your Vote?
A new plan could give the state more say in the presidential contest.
Posted: 5:54 PM Aug 22, 2007
Reporter: Tony Tagliavia
Email Address: tony.tagliavia@wilx.com
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Michigan voters could have a bigger say in who'll be on the 2008 presidential ballot.

That bigger say would come with a plan to set the state's primary elections for January 15, injecting Michigan's opinions into the contest much earlier and likely bringing candidates to the state.

Paul Abramson, a political science professor at Michigan State University says the move could give Michigan voters particular influence on the more wide-open Republican race. And what about the tighter Democratic one?

"It marginally gives them greater impact," Abramson said.

With a vote today, the Michigan Senate took a step toward create two closed parties in January.

"We've got unique issues here," Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) said. "We think the presidential candidates should come here ... and meet our people."

And Bishop says the move would bring more voters to the polls.

Although the primaries would be closed -- that is, only voters registered as belonging to a party could vote in its primary -- other options would have more limited participation. Michigan would have a caucus for Democrats and a nominating convention for Republicans.

Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) says he supports the concept of moving the primary up but, "we didn't support the bills because they still need work."

The way the primaries are set up in the Senate plan would not comply with Democratic National Committee rules according to state party leaders.

Some Democrats want Michigan to stick with the caucus idea, but Schauer says he's hopeful a compromise can be reached.

House Speaker Andy Dillon tells News 10 his chamber could take up the issue next week. National parties would likely have to sign off on the changes. And Paul Abramson does have a warning for state leaders.

"You can't keep rolling things backward indefinitely," he said.

If Michigan makes its move, states like Iowa and New Hampshire could move their contests even earlier.


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  • Posted By: Sandito all of you who voted for Virg. Well most of the jobs went to out of town workers, like the guys who did the streets, from OHIO!, the workers down town who are from all over but Lansing. The people who have tried to work with him in neighborhoods know that its either his way or his way. He does not care what was told or promised to you, he makes sure it's his way. If you don't like it TOO BAD FOR YOU!! If you opossed him on something gee something is not right in you neighborhood and it is not the citys fault. You and your neighbors are doing something ilegal. How do I know? I have one of the letters they sent to my neighborhood. Good Luck Lansing
  • Posted By: Congradulations to the City of Lansing! You re-elected someone who is totally beyond belief. A man who thinks if your a developer your the best thing to happen to the city, even it your less than honest. But if your a home owner who lives here... So you wanted him and we are now stuck with him for another 4 years. A man who went into QD for donuts, and had to have the clerk put them in a box for him because he did not know how. What a great guy for the mayor. Most of you have never had to try to deal with him, for fight him and his people for what was promised to them and then changed. You wait your turns are comming.
  • Posted By: BradBOY THATS JUST GREAT. I GUESS I'LL NEVER WORK IN LANSING THE NEXT FOR YEARS,BUTIM SURE VIRG WILL HIRE THE SCABS FROM GRAND RAPIDS AND HEAR HOW GREAT THE CITY IS DOING. THANKS VIRG FOR YOUR GREATGUIDENCE AND FABULOUS LIESD
  • Posted By: kI think you people are neglecting the real culprit for Lansing's troubles as well as the state of Michigan.Look who we have in the capitol sitting there in her office,telling us all a bunch of lies and making promises that she knows she can't keep. Don't be so hard on our Mayor when it's our governor who needs to be scrutinized.
  • Posted By: BillMy condolances to the residents of Lansing. You had your chance to rid yourself of your major embarrasment but chose not to. I hope it does not come back to haunt you in the next 4 loooooong years.
  • Posted By: BillGREAT! ! ! Michigan is still going to end up downhill. Why dont we just re-elect Granholm for Governor? Better off, why not elect Jim carry for president?, since this all seems to be such a comical situation... GO MICHIGAN! ! ! Move here!, NO JOBS! but it is such a pretty state.. Keep up the good work VIRG! ! Why cant you people making thousands take a cut? I personally think because taking from the middle class and the poor puts so much more in your pockets 2 thumbs down for you and our Govenor. Best wishes on continuing to bring down our state.
  • Posted By: BillThank GOD that Carol Wood did not win! Anyone who thinks that neighborhoods generate revenue needs to get their head out of the clouds and take an introductory economics course. Jobs come BEFORE better neighborhoods, not the other way around.
  • Posted By: Shocked...Congrats Virg...and I mean that with the utmost sarcarism...I do not live within the city of Lansing, thus could not vote but had I been able to I would not have voted for him. I am a city of Lansing employee and Virg has done NOTHING for the cities employees but cut jobs, benefits...take take take. Nor for the city in general...His motto in the last election was "Lansing Works" ironic that ALL of the construction on Michigan ave was done by scab's from Grand Rapids, and let's mention all the mums he planted along that road to the tune of $30,000.00 that only lasted one year and then died because they were not properly winterized, so the next spring they all got dug up, thrown away and more were planted to the tune of another $30,000.00. Tax payers money hard at work there. City employees have been working without a contract for nearly three years, no raises in site but his staff got a 20% increase last year alone...WAY to GO Virg...shame on you and your corrupt misguided politics...
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