A more In-depth Look at the Issues

Here we will take a more in-depth look at the issues that we believe seperates Darren from the others running for this office.

The most needed action from Michigan's Secretary of State is electoral reform. We must constantly be vigilant in making sure Democracy is working, and Working for EVERYONE!
Ballots must be universal accross the state. There must be uniform scanning devices, optical scanners would seem to make the most sense and have the least economic impact of the election's funding.
I would like to see all 11th and 12th grade students taken through a mock election using real Michigan ballots so that ther will be no surprises come election day.
I would like to see at least one trained observer/assistant and EVERY polling place in Michigan to make immediate judgements on challenged voters and to be there to answer any questions regarding the election process. I would also like to see video instructions played for the folks waiting in line to vote, to further clarify any mis-understandings.
I would like for the State to make a serious investigation on how to bring proportional voting and Instant Run-off Voting (IRV) into practice.
For more information concerning instant runoff voting may I suggest the following sites:
http://www.fairvote.org/irv/index.html - Center for Voting and Democracy
http://www.instantrunoff.com - Instant Run-Off Voting Site

Another of my main areas of interest will be Museum Funding Reform, however due to the Governor's creation of a new department for library and historical records this no longer will be an area I can effect as your Secretary of State. I am curious about how the money currently designated for such from the SOS budget will be spent, and will keep a very close eye on where it goes to make sure it is being used for us, and not squandered! And as Secretary of State I will make sure that we are reminded of all of those who have made a difference in Michigan and that land that came to be called Michigan. Native Americans should be more fully represented, and the pre-european ways of life must be displayed and taught so that we may NEVER forget those who loved this land for so very, very long before the european "invasion".
Southern Michigan has a long and storied history before and during the civil war as stations along the underground railroad. For many Michigan was a final destination, for many more, just a stopping place on the way to Canada. This is an incredibly important event. We must remember it, we must teach it, we must learn from it, and that will be a priority in my administration! To learn more about Native American contributions copy and paste this link:
http://nativeamculture.about.com/culture/nativeamculture/cs/history/index.htm - Native American Culture
To learn more about the Underground Railroad in Michigan copy and paste this link http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/99/railroad/j1.html - National Geographic's Underground Railroad site.

In what I call my:
"Avoid Rush-hour Fatalities" or ARF Campaign
I will try to urge all of those who have no pressing business to refrain from driving during the rush hours in our major cities. For those who are just heading to the store I will urge them to wait until after 9AM to venture out. I drive the roads during rush hour, if I did not have to I certainly wouldn't. The fewer people on the roads between 7AM - 9AM and 4PM - 6PM the better, for our sanity and the air we breath. I do not wish to ban people from the road, but will offer the suggestion that for everyones sake, including your own, if you need not add to the mass of traffic, please don't! I believe a great deal of traffic can be eliminated through this simple request that will undoubtably save accidents, frustrations and vehicle fatalities.
I would also like to ask businesses to stagger hours as much as possible to thin out the mass of vehicles driving on a very undercapable road system. While the Secretary of State has no direct control over this, I will use my voice, your voice, to press this campaign.

I would like to see the temporary Handicap indicators change from the placard hanging on your rearview mirror (Did you know it is illegal to drive with one in place? Read the fine print on one) to a sticker that will be affixed to the back of your rear view mirror. Making them less transferable and much less of a visual hazard, also saving some of our poorest people from paying a ticket for something they didn't know was against the law...we do not need to fine people, many of whom are on fixed incomes, for this needless situation.

I have many more ideas, and am always willing to listen to yours, please feel free to write me and let me know what you think!