As former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris bombard Michigan and Detroit in particular ahead of the Nov. 5 election, their campaigns have tagged in a plethora of surrogates from entertainment and religion.
Democratic nominee Kamala Harris returned to Detroit on Saturday for a campaign rally featuring Detroit-born artist Lizzo. Trump stopped by Detroit Friday with Pastor Lorenzo Sewell of 180 Church, boxer Tommy “Hitman” Hearns and rapper Trick Trick by his side.
To mark the start of early voting, Detroit’s Department of Elections took a page from the surrogate playbook for a day-long block party.
A partnership between the Detroit Pistons, Detroit City Clerk’s Office, Department of Elections and Rock The Vote, “Pistonsland: What Up Doe” was held Saturday in New Center along West Grand Boulevard. The free event featured performances from popular names in Detroit’s rap scene: Lil Baby, Skilla Baby and Tay B. In the parking lot of the Fisher Theatre, attendees could enjoy food trucks, skate on a makeshift roller rink, shoot some free throws or ride on a Ferris wheel.
Across the street, the Detroit Department of Elections held extended hours for residents who wanted to cast their ballot. Almost 800 Detroiters voted early or turned in absentee ballots on site, according to Rock the Vote.
One of those people was first-time voter Laniyah Robinson. The 18-year-old came out to the party to see Lil Baby perform, but decided to head to the polls as well. Robinson voted for Harris, as she believes she will tackle issues relevant to young people, such as forgiving student loans. In January, Robinson will start college at Wayne State University for nursing.
“I don’t want to have our rights taken away, like abortion,” she said.
Michigan law requires municipalities to make early voting available for nine days before state and federal elections. Detroit opted for 16 days of early voting and is offering 14 sites to do it. The city is also offering a range of Halloween-themed early voting events with food, giveaways and music.
Carolyn DeWitt, president and executive director of Rock the Vote, said the organization has a long history of partnering with artists, musicians and sports teams, including the Pistons. Rock the Vote was interested in coming to Michigan because of its large youth population, specifically youth from underrepresented communities like Detroit, she said.
“Early voting often helps those of us who have busy lives. It creates a lot more flexibility, both in terms of location and in terms of time, and helping to avoid long lines on Election Day,” DeWitt said. “Having a fun event very close to a polling location in hopes that people will go over and vote, helps break down those barriers to voting.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also stressed the importance of voting, making a brief appearance on stage before Skilla Baby performed.
“The eyes of America are upon us, Detroit. Everybody in the United States of America, everybody across the globe, is paying attention to what’s happening here in Michigan and specifically here in Detroit,” she said. “Vote like your life depends upon it because it does. All of your rights are at stake and if we sit home and we don’t do anything about it, somebody is going to vote for you; somebody’s going to take those rights away.”
Detrotier Joseph Wheeler voted early Saturday for Trump, saying he has made a promise to help the Black community if he becomes president again. He also believes Trump will prevent more violence from happening across the world as the Israel-Hamas War continues in Gaza and Lebanon.
“I earnestly feel he is the best candidate to prevent more war across the world and prevent the rise of World War III and that he would not support Israel nor Ukraine at the level of interference where we risk our soldiers’ lives,” Wheeler said.
Detroit’s early voting sites are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including Saturdays and Sundays, and also serve as voter registration locations.
Two Early Vote Centers are located in each City Council district and include the Department of Elections’ offices in New Center and Downtown, in addition to neighborhood locations across the city.
Visit DetroitVotes.org for full details or to find an early voting event or center.
My God, it takes Rappers and a Carnival atmosphere to get People to Vote? The Demwits don’t think much of us do they? Vote 🗳️ away from the Duopoly’s, Vote for Jill Stein & Butch Ware “24”