It’s a Beautiful Day for a Signature

Carlton Ketchum

On Wednesday, October 20, Amy Teare, Carol Wagner-Miller and I arrived at the 8:00 am opening of the Sarah Hardy Farmer’s Market. Armed with petitions, multiple pens, hand sanitizer, clipboards, and wearing Democratic-themed T-shirts, we set out to counter the forces of darkness by soliciting signatures for Governor Whitmer’s re-election.

If you’re new to signature solicitation, or your skills are a bit rusty, it helps to have an “ask” ready. My ask was something like:

“Are you a voter in Grand Traverse or Leelanau county”? The reason I ask this is that each petition form must be designated by county. Since the market is so close to Leelanau, I had two petitions, one listing Grand Traverse, the other Leelanau county. No mixing of counties is permitted! If they were a resident of the above counties, I’d then ask…
“We’re collecting signatures for Governor Whitmer’s re-election. Would you like to sign a nominating petition?” Those so inclined would often give me a quizzical look as it seemed strange that an incumbent needed petition signatures. I’d just tell them, “It’s a Michigan thing” “and offer the petition and a clean pen. Those not inclined would politely say, “No, Thanks”

Regarding gathering signatures, one person asked me, “Doesn’t the Party do this?” I replied, “I am the party and if you want Gretchen on the ballot, we need your signature.” As Precinct Directors, we are the party and the Governor needs our help on nominating petitions. Let’s get over this procedural hurdle so we can move ahead fighting the issues of our time. If it weren’t for her, Michigan would be just like Texas.

There are 3 more Farmer’s Markets, Saturday, October 23, Wednesday the 27th, and Saturday the 30th.

Hours on Saturday: market opens at 7:30 am and closes at 12 pm noon

Two shifts available: 7:30 am to 9:30 am, and 9:30 to 12 pm

Location: Parking Lot B - Grandview Parkway at Cass

Parking is free on Saturday

Hours on Wednesday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Two shifts available: 8:00am to 10:00am and 10:00am to 12pm

Location: Parking Lot B - Grandview Parkway at Cass

If you are able to take a shift, contact Amy Teare at teareamypd@gmail.com or Carlton Ketchum at tcninth@gmail.com and we’ll set you up with all the tools.