Detroit City Wire

At the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference, the Detroit Regional Chamber, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Michigan business leaders announced a new initiative to support the state’s elections. The collaboration, named Michigan Business United for Elections, aims to restore faith in the election process and ensure that every legally eligible Michigander can vote.

Hira Khan, interim executive director of Emgage Michigan, highlighted voter apathy and misinformation as significant challenges. "Connecting with voters early on with the right information is the most important piece for us right now," she said.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson identified misinformation and disinformation as major threats to election security. She expressed concerns about AI tools being used to target language-minority voters with credible-sounding false claims in different languages.

The Detroit Regional Chamber encourages businesses to counter misinformation. Sandy K. Baruah, President and CEO of the Chamber, stated, "The stability of capitalism...is really dependent upon a stable democracy and an engaged and informed electorate."

Khan noted that Muslim American voters are more concerned about interference with the election process than about certification legitimacy. Emgage Michigan is actively canvassing and hosting town hall meetings to inform people about their voting rights.

Rima Meroueh from the National Network for Arab American Communities emphasized that Arab Americans face voter intimidation rather than a lack of confidence in the system. Her organization sends nonpartisan poll watchers trained to monitor polling places.

Baruah pointed out that business leaders are increasingly seen as trusted sources of information by employees. The Chamber's polling revealed gaps between voter perceptions and actual economic conditions.

To address these issues, businesses have pledged to provide accurate voting information and encourage employees to serve as poll workers. Tools like QR codes linking directly to voting resources are being promoted.

Meroueh also stressed the importance of voting down-ballot positions that create checks and balances for presidential power. Her organization focuses on educating Arab Americans about democratic processes and local elections' impact on daily life.

Despite challenges posed by misinformation and voter apathy, efforts continue across Michigan to energize voters and ensure a secure election process.