Only 47.2% of eligible Detroit voters cast ballots in the November 2024 general election.
Whether the lack of voting was the result of a disdain for the process, disdain for the presidential candidates, or a disdain for the political process leading up to voting day, the result was a series of what can be considered “unintended consequences.”
One of the most telling consequences of voter apathy has been the loss of significant political leadership in Michigan—both at the state and federal levels. Recently, Michigan experienced a political shift that should be a wake-up call for all voters: the removal of Joe Tate as the first Black Speaker of the House in Michigan’s history and the impending end of Dawn Ison’s tenure as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. Both of these shifts can be traced back to the long-term impact of voter disengagement, a factor that too many people overlook when they fail to participate in elections.
As Michigan residents prepare for another year of political activity, it’s crucial to remember that the stakes are not just about who holds the White House. While presidential elections grab most of the headlines, and headlines often focus on the race for national office, it’s the local elections and political shifts that have the most immediate and tangible effects on people’s daily lives.
The November general election resulted in Michigan’s House Republicans flipping four House seats to recapture the majority in the lower chamber, breaking the Democratic trifecta on state power and ushering in two years of divided government in Michigan.
Previously, Democrats held a 56-54 majority in the House. House Republicans’ wins means that on Jan. 20, 2025, they will have a 58-52 majority in the state House.
The GOP state House victory, lifted significantly by former President Donald Trump’s win at the top of the ticket, has already prompted leadership races in both caucuses and it triggered an active lame duck session before House Democrats cede control.
Tate and Ison, two advocates who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Detroit residents, will be replaced by Republican officials who inarguably won’t be as focused on issues big and small that matter to average Black Detroiters.
Tate said Democratic candidates “left everything on the field” in their bid to keep the majority and that they would “look for every opportunity” to work in a bipartisan manner and to provide a “voice of reason” in the lower chamber once Republicans take over later this month.
“Make no mistake,” Tate said. “The results of the election represent an opportunity to regroup and rebuild over the coming term. House Democrats will put in the work to regain our majority and deliver a brighter future for the millions of residents who make Michigan their home.”
And for Ison, she will be replaced by someone of President Donald Trump’s choosing.
“When I became U.S. Attorney, I knew I would never be able to work in the office again once my tenure ended. So, it was either November (2024) or four years from now. And so I was prepared. I signed up for it, and that’s why I worked so aggressively to try to do something. All I knew was that I had for sure until 2024,” she said.
“I just hope that the people – the talent in that office, the dedicated public servants in that office – will continue on after me. And hopefully, so many people who embrace this philosophy that I’m talking to and we’re proud, actually, to do this work in this way – a very meaningful way.”
As historic firsts in each of their positions, voters rejoiced in the results of exercising their democracy by casting votes for candidates who had their interests in mind. The efforts of Tate and Ison resulted in positive changes for Detroit residents.
Tate was able to shift dollars from the federal government to Detroit in order to fund programs that changed lives.
“We were able to usher in one of the largest tax cuts, if not the largest, for working people in the state of Michigan. Also, repealing the senior pension tax as well, too. So, putting money back in people’s pockets. Free breakfast and lunch, which is certainly a benefit for families with children across the state. The work we’ve done around creating more affordable and attainable housing starts across the state and making those investments as well, too,” Tate said.
Ison has been instrumental in getting criminals off the streets and prosecuting violent offenders. Ultimately, her efforts helped Detroit see historic declines in murders and violent crimes.
“(In 2023), we saw the lowest homicide rates in Detroit in 60 years, and (in 2024) we were down even more. I’m really proud of that. And our One Detroit partnership – our violent crime reduction strategy. It’s based on all the evidence-based studies, which show that in order to reduce violent crime, it has to include punishment and prevention,” she said.
“So, we’ve really been focusing on the drivers of violence, the most violent people. For those very violent people, we will use all the tools in the toolbox to remove those people from the community. And that’s what we’ve done under our One Detroit Violence Reduction Partnership, which is really a reduction partnership for the entire district where we have high rates of violence. We started with Detroit in 2022 because Detroit is our largest city. It is our hub. We’re often defined by Detroit. It is more complex than some of our smaller cities. But we’ve still been doing the enforcement strategies in this area.”
Tate’s pending leave raises an important issue: while national politics often overshadow local races, those very local elections decide who represents communities in the most impactful ways. In this case, Tate’s rise to power was seen as an opportunity to improve political representation for communities of color in Michigan, but it ultimately took a political shift in local elections, influenced by voter disinterest, to undermine his leadership.
This situation underscores the dangers of voter apathy in local elections. While many may focus on presidential races, they forget that their state representatives and local leaders are the ones making decisions that affect their everyday lives, including policies related to healthcare, education, public safety, and economic growth. Without widespread civic participation, communities lose out on the chance to have a meaningful voice in these critical areas. The shift in leadership and Tate’s ouster is a stark reminder that political power, no matter how hard-won, can be easily overturned when people disengage.
For Ison, the end of her appointment represents not only a loss of an accomplished public servant in such a high-profile role, but also a warning about the importance of elections that might not seem as high-profile as presidential races. While her departure is tied to the shift in presidential power on Jan. 20, it’s also a reminder of the broader impact of voter participation—or the lack thereof—on federal appointments, and the broader functioning of the justice system.
When voter turnout dips, it leaves a void in the selection of individuals who are tasked with enforcing the law and ensuring that justice is administered fairly. While the election of a new president has the power to change appointments, the political process itself is shaped by the choices voters make, especially in local and state races. The ripple effect from federal elections often extends to judicial and law enforcement appointments at the local level.
As the nation approaches the transition from President Biden to a new administration, it’s crucial to remember that political engagement at every level impacts leadership appointments like Ison’s. The ongoing political shifts exemplify how voter participation at the national level impacts the lives of citizens in Michigan and across the nation. While the presidency may seem distant for many, the consequences of those elections are felt profoundly at the local level as well.
The story of Tate and Ison serves as a warning and a call to action for Michigan voters. The consequences of voter apathy are real and can directly impact the political landscape at the local, state, and federal levels. To prevent the further erosion of political representation for marginalized groups and to ensure the continuation of effective leadership in Michigan, it is essential that citizens engage in the political process.
The first step is voter education. Citizens need to understand not only the importance of voting for national officeholders, but also the power they hold in local elections. Many issues that affect day-to-day life—such as public schools, law enforcement, and healthcare—are decided by local and state leaders. Furthermore, understanding the broader implications of federal appointments and their trickle-down effects can empower voters to become more involved and informed.
Second, engaging underrepresented communities is key. In Michigan, communities of color and lower-income areas are often the ones most affected by political shifts. Ensuring that these communities have access to information about the voting process, the candidates, and the importance of elections at all levels is crucial to fostering political participation.
Finally, making voting easier and more accessible for all citizens should remain a priority. Whether through mail-in ballots, early voting, or expanding polling places in underserved communities, steps must continuously be taken to ensure that every eligible voter can participate without unnecessary barriers.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in a statement after the election, was diplomatic in her views for what the state government will look like when Republicans regain control.
“As governor, I’ve signed more than 1,400 bipartisan bills and six balanced, bipartisan budgets,” Whitmer said. “I’m willing to work with anyone who is serious about solving problems, and I look forward to collaborating with the incoming majority on our shared goals from infrastructure to economic development.”
The real hope is that the new Republican House is as eager as Tate and Ison were to work for Black residents in Detroit and other municipalities to continue to effect positive outcomes. But no one should be holding their breath for that dream to become a reality.
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