In November, Michigan citizens will elect a new governor, attorney general, and state senators and representatives. Those elected officials will influence for years to come the priority given to children and families in the state budget and policymaking.

In an effort to make children and families a priority in the 2010 elections, Michigan's Children is working with other advocacy partners to inform voters and candidates about the issues, provide useful tools and resources for advocacy and education, and help to publicize key events, forums and other opportunities to have your voice heard.

Visit our VOTE for Michigan's children page on our website for the latest resources, like three new issue briefs on early childhood, education, and children's health, plus our 2010 Election Advocacy Toolkit. There are also links to resources from our partners.

Check out the VOTE for Michigan's children information!

And, don't forget to vote next week in the August 3rd primary election and mark your calendars for the November 2nd general election!

The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC), its 55 Great Start Collaboratives, over 70 parent coalitions, Regional Resources Centers, and Michigan's early childhood advocacy partners--including Michigan's Children--have formed the "Sandbox Party," a nonpartisan, nonpolitical party to represent the interests of Michigan's youngest residents.

The goal of the party is to inform candidates, policymakers, and the public about the crucial role young children play in Michigan's economic turnaround, and the importance of prioritizing state investments in early childhood.

Please join us for the Sandbox Party Convention on Thursday, August 26th from 1pm to 4pm at the Breslin Student Event Center in East Lansing, and invite those in your networks and neighborhoods!

Distribute materials and consider participating in a new contest--you could win a flip video camera!

Register and get more information on the Convention.

The Michigan Participation Project has compiled a list of candidate forums, along with many other resources for nonprofits and voters.

We encourage you to attend a candidate forum in your area--forums provide a great opportunity to ask candidates important questions about the issues facing kids in your community.

Use the Election Advocacy Toolkit or Issue Briefs developed by Michigan's Children to help guide your questions and conversations with candidates.

Check out the Candidate Forum Schedule put together by the Michigan Participation Project, a project of the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA).

The League of Women Voters of Michigan released the 2010 Voter Guide for the Primary Election. Find out more about candidates running for public office.

The LWVMI has also recently created a packet of materials to aid residents in advocating for investment in Michigan. The easy-to-use packet includes background information and postcards to send to legislators, encouraging them to look at tax changes to increase revenue to save essential government services. Read more about the Michigan is Ours! project and order your packets.

The Center for Michigan works to strengthen the voices of citizens, as well as the connection between Michigan residents and their political leaders.

The Center's website includes coverage of gubernatorial candidate debates (Great Debates 2010); in-depth reporting on the issues and candidates' positions, including those related to children; and, a 2010 citizens' agenda, entitled 10,000 Voices to Transform Our State.

The Center is also circulating several online citizens' petitions, including one related to education that supports improved and stable funding for public preschool programs, K-12 education, community colleges and universities. View the petitions.