As we do our civic duty and vote during election season, many of us feel inspired to give back to our communities in other ways, too. Unfortunately, between work, family, and everyday life, finding time for another commitment isn’t always easy.

That’s where microvolunteering comes in: small, flexible acts of service that let you support your community in as little as 30 minutes, often from the comfort of home.

Today, The ’Gander’s Britteny Dee shares everything you need to know about simple ways to make a difference on your own schedule in Michigan.

Plus: What issues do you want candidates to address?

Michigan primary election is Tuesday (The ‘Gander): Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and anyone in line by 8 p.m. is guaranteed the right to vote in Michigan’s primary election. Same-day registration will be available at your local clerk’s office.

Michigan AG sues nursing home chain (Bridge Michigan): Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has sued a nursing home chain, alleging it collected $111 million in taxpayer funds while chronically understaffing facilities and putting hundreds of residents at risk. The lawsuit seeks to hold Pioneer Health Care operator Fahim Uddin accountable for alleged Medicaid fraud and follows a two-year state investigation into care at nine Michigan nursing homes.

MI Supreme Court tosses Line 5 permit (Michigan Advance): The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that state regulators must take another look at Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel permit, saying they failed to fully consider the project’s environmental impacts and alternatives. The decision is a victory for tribes and environmental groups challenging the pipeline.

From letter writing to dog walking to food delivery, discover opportunities for microvolunteering in Michigan that fit your interests and schedule. (Getty Images/Unsplash)

By Britteny Dee

Volunteering is a meaningful way to support your community, but with work, family, and social obligations, making space in your schedule for another commitment can feel challenging.

Many traditional volunteer roles require a recurring schedule or a set number of hours each month, which can make it difficult for people with busy lives to participate. Microvolunteering offers a more flexible way to make a difference by allowing you to contribute in small, manageable ways when your schedule allows.

Here’s how to get involved with microvolunteering in Michigan.

Want deeper coverage of Michigan politics? Our free Thursday newsletter, This Week in Michigan Politics, breaks down what’s happening in Lansing and Washington—clearly and without the jargon.

With the midterms approaching, we’ll keep you informed on what could affect your day-to-day life.

Interested?

With tomorrow marking the start of this year’s election season kicking into overdrive, it’s also a time when political messaging can begin to shift away from addressing real issues and toward attacking opponents.

That’s why this week, we want to know:

Reminder: When responding, include your first name and where you’re from to have your answer included.

Have a question you want me to ask our community? Send it my way. I might feature it in a future edition.

Missed the answers to last week’s question: “Do you support the use of Flock cameras in your community?” Find them in our Friday newsletter here.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from Britteny Dee and Abigail Deatrick. It was edited by Crystal Niforos

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