This month, I’m writing about voting and the midterms, but probably not in a way you may think.
Do you remember either going to vote with your parents and stepping behind the curtain or, if you have kids, taking them with you to vote?
I remember going for the first time with my parents to the polls and to the parties we’d have on election nights. These experiences set an early foundation for engagement in the political process but most of all an understanding of the importance of civil discourse about our collective future. I’m sure many of us can remember the first time we were able to cast our own vote. It’s a rite of passage.
We know it’s important. But how much do we know about the office that’s responsible for our precious ballots?
A few days ago, I was invited by John Erb to take a field trip to the Detroit City Clerk’s office, sponsored by the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation. I tour the office and operations alongside members of the Foundation’s board of directors and a hand selected group of community leaders. The Foundation’s team thought it would be valuable for us to see how elections are handled in Detroit.
They were right.
The Erb Family Foundation manages the legacy of two lifelong Southeast Michigan residents who were deeply committed to their community. Since 2008, the foundation has awarded more than $180 million to initiatives Fred and Barbara cared about most. Their shared interests, passions, and values are reflected throughout the Foundation’s grantmaking and have left a lasting legacy across Southeast Michigan, the state, and beyond.
In 2022, the Foundation made the strategic decision to spend down all its assets by 2034 and, in doing so, make bold investments in projects that address pressing needs and drive lasting change. Among their priorities, which included arts and culture, sustainable business, and healthy communities, they also understood the critical importance of a strong democracy and voting rights for all Americans.
As we celebrate our nation’s 250th Anniversary, democracy and voting are front and center. In fact, that was the genesis of the tour. While the Detroit City Clerk and staff are responsible for numerous functions, the focus was on elections.
To say the City is doing a good job is an understatement. In fact, it’s among the best in the country. The office boasts a 99.94 percent accuracy rate and has been proactive in implementing state-of-the-art technology.
It was amazing to see the level of longevity, commitment, and service by the staff. Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey, an elected official, has been on the job for 13 years. Our tour guide, a staff member and Detroit resident, has been with the office since 1986. Additionally, the team strives to be transparent and efficient.
According to the City, the following are some of the office’s accomplishments under Winfrey’s 13-year tenure:
- Establishing the Detroit Archives and Records Management Division, which ensures that citizens and other interested parties have access to current and archived city records.
- Implementing five new voting systems.
- Implementing Vote 4 Detroit, a voter information platform that provides election information and allows Detroit voters to request their ballots.
- BallotTrax, a system that tracks the status of absentee ballots and lets voters know where their ballot is in the process.
The Downtown Detroit Partnership is a nonpartisan organization, and that’s been part of our legacy for more than 100 years. Like the Erb Family Foundation, we support upholding the foundations of American democracy and the Constitution by supporting efforts that preserve the rule of law and the proper functions of government. We could not do much of what we do without the strong support and partnerships we have with our elected officials and department staff.
We’re deep into election season. Regardless of one’s politics, we all need to feel confident in the voting process and should be grateful to the Erb Family Foundation for promoting a strong democracy, voter engagement, and fair election administration, and to the City of Detroit for maintaining these standards of excellence.
My only ask is to vote and set an early foundation for your kids/grandkids.
The Detroit City Clerk’s office welcomes inquiries and has several communication vehicles to keep Detroiters engaged and up to date. Learn more and sign up here.
