SarahRenee Owens

For me, joining the military was embracing a family tradition. I was the first woman, but in the generations before me, all the men had served, including my father – who often told me how much he loved his time in uniform. So, even though I studied music in college and taught for one year after that, joining the Navy’s Student Flight Officer program seemed like a natural thing to do. I would likely still be serving alongside my comrades today if a flight-related medical issue hadn’t forced me to leave aviation.

Despite the change of course, the solemn oath I took to defend the Constitution will always guide me.

That is why I’m speaking out now.

In this moment, our democracy needs defending as much as it ever has – not only by people in uniform, but by every Michigander who values the rights and liberties that we can so easily take for granted.

Luckily, the Constitution is clear: Elections are administered by the states.

Here in Michigan, local clerks and other officials ensure our elections are fair and the outcomes are accurate. It is a job they’ve done exceptionally well over the years, but they need our support. If you’re a Michigander and can see yourself joining the ranks as an election inspector (i.e. poll worker), I wholeheartedly encourage you to reach out to a clerk’s office, in your local area or anywhere in Michigan, for more information. You can also obtain information here.

Or, like me, you could sign up with a credentialing body, such as the non-partisan organization Promote the Vote, to play the important role of election challenger, whether that is at the absent voter ballot processing facility, early polling location, or an Election Day polling place. When you hold the challenger credential, you have the power to advocate for voters and challenge any errors in the election process in real time, helping to even further guarantee elections are run to the letter of the law.

The more each of us directly engages in democracy, in any way, the stronger it becomes.

Remember: elections are where we must exercise the greatest voice we have as Michiganders – our vote!

Will you please join me in the good fight?