Bridge elections FAQ video: Budget, voting and endless Whitmer speculation

• Bridge Michigan is answering reader questions through a new Elections FAQ series, including a new weekly video feature
• In the latest episode, reporters Jordyn Hermani and Simon Schuster discuss the 2024 presidential election, voting safeguards and more
• Other topics include whether Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is a possible contender for the presidency, as well as big dollar spending in Lansing

You have questions about the 2024 election cycle, and we’re here to answer them.

Bridge Michigan recently launched a weekly video show as part of our Elections FAQ feature that aims to engage voters in the 2024 election cycle by answering reader questions. 

Ask your own question here, and watch the latest episode below:

Related: 

• Michigan elections FAQ video: poll accuracy, drop box security and more
• Bill barrage: Michigan lawmakers pass ‘Taylor Swift’ bot ban in summer rush
• Whitmer for president? ‘True Gretch’ reads like the book of a future candidate

Among the topics:

• Will Whitmer replace Biden? Speculation has swirled about President Joe Biden’s future as a candidate after last week’s debate, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has emerged as a top name among pundits.
  Whitmer is co-chair of Biden’s national campaign and has rebuffed talk she has any interest. But her memoir comes out next week, and that likely will further fuel the speculation. But November “a long ways from now” Capitol reporter Simon Schuster said, and things can change “when so much is fluid.”
• Big bucks for pork projects: Pork isn’t just what’s for dinner. It’s also what fuels the state budget. The state budget includes about $411 in pet project earmarks from lawmakers, stuff like zoos and an Iron Mountain ski jumping facility. Both parties have condemned the practice. But it continues.
• Can I vote for Democrats and Republicans? One reader asked whether they could vote for Republicans running for local office as a self-professed Democrat. You sure can in general elections, but for primaries, you can either have a Democratic or Republican ballot.
• Safeguards for voting: A few readers asked about whether people who are in the country illegally can vote in Michigan’s elections, and whether safeguards exist to make sure no one votes twice. Capitol reporter Jordyn Hermani notes that undocumented individuals cannot vote in either state or federal elections. There are also a handful of ways election officials watch for voters trying to cast two ballots, whether that’s twice within a voter’s own state, or once in two different states.

Bridge will be back next week with another Elections FAQ show, and we’ll also continue to answer questions through posts on our website. Ask your question here, or visit our Voter Guide for more information.