The American Bar Association’s Task Force for American Democracy will hold the second in a series of listening tour events Friday, March 15, with a program in Detroit featuring local leaders, legal scholars and defenders of democracy.
The event, titled “Taking the Next Step: Ensuring Trusted Elections and Civics for Michiganders,” will be held from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Wayne State University Law School’s Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium and will address vital election integrity issues and the need to support poll workers. The event will be livestreamed, and a recording will be available afterwards.
Introductory remarks will be delivered by ABA President Mary Smith; Wayne State University Law School Dean Richard Bierschbach; Past ABA President and former Mayor of Detroit Dennis Archer; and State Bar of Michigan President Daniel D. Quick.
Attendees will partake in discussions and expert panelists will offer insights on safeguarding our electoral process. Former federal judge and co-chair of the ABA Task Force for American Democracy J. Michael Luttig will talk about the “Threat to Democracy” and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will speak about “Making the Best System and Defending Against Attacks.” Closing remarks will be delivered by former Secretary of Homeland Security and Co-chair of the ABA Task Force for American Democracy Jeh Charles Johnson.
The event is co-sponsored by Keep the Republic, the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy, and Wayne State University Law School.
Panels include:
—“Election Integrity 2024: What to Expect and Challenges”
• David Becker, executive director, Center for Election Innovation and Research
• Aghogho Edevbie, Michigan deputy secretary of state
• Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Kent County clerk
• Justin Roebuck, Ottawa County clerk
• Chris Thomas, former Michigan director of elections
—“Restoring Civics and Civility in Michigan”
• Jim Townsend, director, Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy, Wayne State University Law School; former representative (26th District)
• Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, president, Detroit Branch NAACP
• Kurtis Wilder, former Michigan Supreme Court justice; immediate past chair, Michigan Chamber of Commerce
• Anne Mervenne, special advisor to former Michigan Gov. John Engler; political leadership chair emeritus
• Gary Torgow, chairman of the board, Huntington Bank; chairman, Business Leaders for Michigan
The task force is committed to safeguarding the integrity of the nonpartisan administration of elections and providing support for election workers. Moving forward, the task force will:
• Work to mobilize the legal profession to uphold its duty to support and defend the Constitution and the rule of law.
• Ensure lawyers are educated regarding their professional obligations.
• Leverage the legal profession to educate the public on the reasons for, and the importance of, democracy and the rule of law.
The next listening tour event will be held in Philadelphia as part of the 2024 Law Day celebration on May 1. Events are also being planned for Wisconsin, Nevada, North Carolina and Arizona. Each session will include local election officials and community leaders discussing issues they face and how public confidence in the election process can be enhanced.
For additional information on the task force, visit www.americanbar.org/groups/leadership/office_of_the_president/american-democracy.
The event, titled “Taking the Next Step: Ensuring Trusted Elections and Civics for Michiganders,” will be held from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Wayne State University Law School’s Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium and will address vital election integrity issues and the need to support poll workers. The event will be livestreamed, and a recording will be available afterwards.
Introductory remarks will be delivered by ABA President Mary Smith; Wayne State University Law School Dean Richard Bierschbach; Past ABA President and former Mayor of Detroit Dennis Archer; and State Bar of Michigan President Daniel D. Quick.
Attendees will partake in discussions and expert panelists will offer insights on safeguarding our electoral process. Former federal judge and co-chair of the ABA Task Force for American Democracy J. Michael Luttig will talk about the “Threat to Democracy” and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will speak about “Making the Best System and Defending Against Attacks.” Closing remarks will be delivered by former Secretary of Homeland Security and Co-chair of the ABA Task Force for American Democracy Jeh Charles Johnson.
The event is co-sponsored by Keep the Republic, the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy, and Wayne State University Law School.
Panels include:
—“Election Integrity 2024: What to Expect and Challenges”
• David Becker, executive director, Center for Election Innovation and Research
• Aghogho Edevbie, Michigan deputy secretary of state
• Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Kent County clerk
• Justin Roebuck, Ottawa County clerk
• Chris Thomas, former Michigan director of elections
—“Restoring Civics and Civility in Michigan”
• Jim Townsend, director, Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy, Wayne State University Law School; former representative (26th District)
• Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, president, Detroit Branch NAACP
• Kurtis Wilder, former Michigan Supreme Court justice; immediate past chair, Michigan Chamber of Commerce
• Anne Mervenne, special advisor to former Michigan Gov. John Engler; political leadership chair emeritus
• Gary Torgow, chairman of the board, Huntington Bank; chairman, Business Leaders for Michigan
The task force is committed to safeguarding the integrity of the nonpartisan administration of elections and providing support for election workers. Moving forward, the task force will:
• Work to mobilize the legal profession to uphold its duty to support and defend the Constitution and the rule of law.
• Ensure lawyers are educated regarding their professional obligations.
• Leverage the legal profession to educate the public on the reasons for, and the importance of, democracy and the rule of law.
The next listening tour event will be held in Philadelphia as part of the 2024 Law Day celebration on May 1. Events are also being planned for Wisconsin, Nevada, North Carolina and Arizona. Each session will include local election officials and community leaders discussing issues they face and how public confidence in the election process can be enhanced.
For additional information on the task force, visit www.americanbar.org/groups/leadership/office_of_the_president/american-democracy.
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