From: Hernandez, Angelita (GOV)
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 5:04 PM
Subject: What the Governor's Talking about Today

Importance: High

Attachments: TPs 4-22-10.doc

What the Governor’s Talking about Today

Thursday, April 22, 2010

 

Governor Signs Legislation Protecting Right to Vote for Michigan Citizens Abroad

The governor today signed legislation that protects the rights of Michigan voters who are out of the country to participate in Michigan elections.  The new laws allow voters abroad to receive their absentee ballots via electronic mail and also standardize and increase the time prior to an election that absentee ballots are available to county clerks.
 
While voters abroad have had the right to vote absentee, mail delays and short deadlines have made it difficult for many to exercise that right.  Prior to the new laws, ballots could be only mailed to voters out of the country, which meant that mail delays often prevented valid ballots from being cast.  The new laws require county clerks to deliver absentee ballots to local clerks at least 47 days before all elections and also allow for ballots to be transmitted to voters abroad via electronic mail.
 
The bills signed today are House Bill 5279, sponsored by State Representative Vincent Gregory (D-Southfield), and House Bill 5530, sponsored by State Representative Jennifer Haase (D-Richmond).  Both bills passed the House and Senate with no dissenting votes.  HB 5530 is effective immediately, and HB 5279 will take effect June 1, 2010.

 

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GLREA Recognizes Governor with Leadership in Renewable Energy Award

The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) has presented the governor with its first Leadership in Renewable Energy Award in recognition of her tireless efforts to diversify the state’s economy by providing job-creating, clean-energy solutions for Michigan.  GLREA also announced that all future leadership awards will be entitled the Granholm Leadership in Renewable Energy Award, in the governor’s honor.

 

GLREA was founded in 1991 to promote the design, construction, manufacture, marketing, sales, use, and education of the general public, in the practices of renewable energy in the Great Lakes region.  GLREA’s 2,500 members include corporations, small businesses, municipalities, colleges and residents of Michigan.

                                   

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