Delta County Unified Newsletter 10/4/2026

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." —Alice Walker

NOTES FROM LEAH B:

During our rally last month, Christiana Reynolds gave a very powerful speech.  For those unable to attend, I will share portions of it over the upcoming weeks.  This first part is an important history lesson:

America has been through periods when the existing political system stopped adequately representing what a large number of people believed was important. And one of the most interesting examples comes from right here in our own region's history.

In 1848, something called the Free Soil Party appeared on the American political scene.

It wasn't one of the two major parties. It wasn't a permanent political institution. And it certainly didn't agree with every person who joined it on every issue. But it did something remarkable.

It brought together people who had previously belonged to different political movements. Former Democrats. Dissident Whigs. Abolitionists and other opponents of the expansion of slavery.  People who had not necessarily started from the same political philosophy. They found something important enough to put their differences aside and organize around.

And their slogan was:

"Free Soil, Free Speech, Free Labor, and Free Men"

The Free Soil Party was created primarily to oppose the expansion of slavery into the western territories.  Some of its supporters were motivated by moral opposition to slavery. Others were motivated by concerns about the political power of slaveholders. They were tired of the South’s massive political power bloc and wanted change in Congress. And others were motivated by the economic consequences for ordinary workers and farmers.

They argued that western land should provide opportunities for ordinary people rather than becoming dominated by an economic system based on enslaved labor. Simply put, enslaved labor eliminated jobs for working class, free individuals. That distinction matters.

Because the lesson I want to take from the Free Soil movement isn't that we should pretend 1848 and 2026 are the same. They're not.  The lesson is about how political movements can form around a common economic and civic purpose.

Think about what they were actually arguing. Who gets access to opportunity? Who gets access to land? Who gets to shape the future of the territories? Does economic power become political power? Does government serve ordinary citizens, or does it become an instrument for people who already possess enormous wealth and influence?

Those are not 19th-century questions. Those are questions we are still asking.

Next, Michael Moore reminded us that we need a high turnout at the polls this year.  We need everyone to vote.  One way to help is to give friends and neighbors a ride to vote.  He is asking that each one of us find 9 friends, neighbors, or family members to give a ride to.

Finally, Delta County's moratorium on data centers does not apply to cities and townships that have their own boards.  We need volunteers to attend their local board meetings to encourage every city and township in Delta County to draft their own moratorium. We'll put together a sign-up sheet at our monthly meetings to get people to commit to attending these meetings.  We are also working on a list of other local meetings that need attendees.  We need people willing to get involved locally, attend meetings, and report back to Delta County Unified on important community issues. 

ANNOUNCEMENT: Dan Young is officially running as a write-in for the Bay de Noc Community College Board of Trustees.  To vote for him, write in"Dan Young" or "Daniel Young" and mark the oval.  

IMPORTANT DATES:

Take Action Tuesday Protests
Every Tuesday

12-1:30 PM
SW corner of Lincoln & Ludington, in front of Walgreen's

Escanaba, MI

Take Action Tuesday protests take place every Tuesday in front of Walgreen's in Escanaba. Please do not park in the Walgreen's lot. 

Delta Democrat Meeting

October 7th at 6:30 pm

USW Hall

1201 Sheridan Road, Escanaba

Strike for Hunger

October 8-10

7 AM - 9 PM

Elmer's Country Market and Pat's Foods

The USW Women of Steel are working to support local families in need.  They are seeking donations of food, hygiene items, paper products, or monetary gifts at Elmer's Country Market and Pat's Foods.  Donations will benefit the Salvation Army and St. Vincent De Paul.

SECOND Postcard Writing Party

Saturday, October 10

2-5 PM (come for an hour or two, you do not need to stay the whole time)

Dewdrop Family Restaurant

916 Delta Ave

Gladstone

We had such a good time last week that we decided to do it again! We'll be writing postcards to progressive-leaning voters in purple states who consistently vote in Presidential elections but not in the Midterms, encouraging them to vote. We'll supply everything (postcards, mailing list, suggested message, pens, highlighters) except postage.

If interested, RSVP to Porter Kelly at porter@porterkelly.com so we can give the Dewdrop a heads up if we're going to have a large group. 

League of Women's Voters Candidate Forum

October 14th 6:30 pm

Escanaba City Hall

Candidate will include those running for the 108th State House, the 38th Michigan Senate, and the 94th District Court Judge.

"No Kings: Vote Early" March for Democracy

Saturday, October 17

1 PM

In front of the fairgrounds, across the road from Gordon Foods

Escanaba

The next Indivisible National Event is on October 17th and is geared towards reminding people to vote and vote early.  We determine what comes next by who we vote for.  We will March from the fairgrounds (on the sidewalk) for about a mile and then back.  Bring signs reminding people to vote.  Bring signs with the names of your favorite candidates.

Delta County Unified In Person Meeting

October 21st at 5:30 pm

United Memorial Methodist Church in Gladstone

Please bring your own drinks and a dish to pass if you are able.

NOTES FROM INDIVISIBLE "WHAT'S THE PLAN?" NATIONAL MEETING (08-21-26):

The guest was U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon and she was incredibly positive and inspiring...if you'd like to donate to her campaign, visit www.AngieNixon.com. Everything else was basically about the elections, No Kings and the emphasis on voting early.

Link to podcast version of meeting:

What's the Plan podcast - new episodes every Friday

Link to next week's national "What's the Plan?" call:

Indivisible What's the Plan - Thursday Oct 8, 2026    

REQUESTS, INVITATIONS AND INFORMATION FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:

From Delta Dems:

This chart was adapted from the Houghton County Dems newsletter. All thanks to them!

FALL ELECTION DATES

DATE

WHAT’S HAPPENING

September 24

Absentee ballots and drop boxes become available

October 19

Last day to register to vote online or by mail (registration in person at your local clerk’s office is still available up to and including Election Day.)

October 24

Early in-person voting begins. The early voting site for all Delta County precincts is the Wells Township Hall at 6436 N. 8th St, Wells.

November 3

Election Day

3-MINUTE CALL TO ACTION:

Make your voting plan and contact at least three friends/family members to ask if they've made their voting plans, especially if they are in Michigan, Alaska, Iowa, Florida, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, or Ohio. HOME STRETCH!