Vote No Lansing Charter
Vote No to:
1) Unchecked rate hikes from the Board of Water & Light.
2) Politicians handing themselves more power.
3) At-Large Seats that weaken local voices.
4) No guarantees for efficient or ethical government.
Vote No and send them back to the drawing board - with the community at the center.
**Mission Statement of Vote NO Lansing Charter Proposal Committee:**
"Our mission is to empower citizens of Lansing to make informed decisions about their governance. We are dedicated to advocating against the proposed charter changes that we believe threaten the values and integrity of our community. Through education, advocacy, and grassroots mobilization, we aim to inspire active participation in the democratic process and ensure that every voice is heard. Together, we stand firm in our commitment to protect our local democracy and uphold the principles that define our vibrant city."
We stand united in our commitment to Vote No on the Lansing Charter.
Vote No Lansing Charter Proposal Committee - 30sec
What Lansing residents are saying
"I’m a Vote No. They didn’t talk to the immigrant community and consider their opinions too. What did they do about raising property taxes?Everything seems to be what current regime wants? We want to know how much the commission members getting paid or got paid? We want to know if they received any money from any lobby group."
Questions sent to Chris Swope 10/17/25
The Charter Commission refused to consider the system that works in 80% of Michigan cities.They ignored citizen voices asking for a better government.Their proposal keeps Lansing stuck with a failed strong mayor system that has:
• Crumbling roads
• Fewer parks and kids’ programs
• Rising crime
• City debt piling up
• Ignoring citizen involvement in their government
I think that the Lansing city council members should say how they voted on the Charter revision. And how they stand on the proposed changes. Do they support a council manager system, Or do they believe the strong mayor system, is the route to take for next decade and a half? And why? It makes a huge difference. It affects the city council and every aspect of Lansings economic future moving forward. Should we believe those that the mayor endorsed are supportive of the strong mayor. As well as the few changes that are being proposed. We should be hearing from them. Ballots are being returned and votes are being cast. But the voters don't know how our city council stands on the subject. The council president has been very vocal about how he feels, but the rest seem to be avoiding the subject completely. Jeremy Garza Trini Lopez Pehlivanoglu Jeffrey Brown Adam Hussain and the rest of you. We are entrusting you with Lansings future. Which direction do you think we should go.
TransparencyIf the charter commission wanted to make some real changes and compare us more favorably with capital cities as opposed to other Michigan cities there are some adjustments that would make a huge difference.Perhaps we could look at changes to not have the mayor's office appoint people to committees but make that something the he said he council could do, and also do away with candidates endorsing each other.When a primary candidate loses the primary and scheduled a meeting with the mayor to talk and the end result is that person was offered a position on a committee...When a member of a committee/commission speaks out because even though crime is down, which it is, the perception is that it's not, which studies have shown that is also true, and then they are replaced...When the editor of the local newspaper is offered a position on a commission/committee...And then that same person sits in an endorsement interviews with candidates the mayor has endorsed...It doesn't look transparent and on the up and up; EVEN if that's the full intention.I applaud the commission's focus on making sure there is transparency, because they've talked about it a number of times and I truly believe they find that very important.These are potential changes for the future that when we vote NO on the charter, and the commission goes back and visits this and make smart decisions; I will stand up and cheer them on. That work is hard but rewarding. And worth doing.
Make no mistake about this. This is 💯 about preserving the strong mayor system for decades to come. I hope that's obvious to everyone. That getting a city manager/council system was in fact the number one issue when people voted for the first Charter revision in 50 years. This is how the strong mayor system plays the game. DIRTY!.... I been to pulpit for decades spreading the word. Its real and in your face. What will you do about it. VOTE NO!.. on the proposed changes. Send it back to the commission. Then the voters must get involved with the Charter commission. We must demand in volume the changes we seek. The future we seek for our children and young people. Lansings future is at stake. I don't say that lightly. Let the new tide rise. Stronger than dirt.
Most of the commissioner's are doing the bidding for LRCC, Schor and Swope.
They don't want to lose the control so of course they will push for this crap. They don't care about our city it's about having control and getting their pay
Modern. What a laugh. The fastest growing form of Government in the United States is the city manager council system. The strong mayor system has failed Lansing taxpayers for years. The current proposals are ridiculous. Electing a whole new council every four years. Leaving no experience. This does nothing but strengthen the strong mayor system. And the proposed 16 years until it can be revisted. More than a decade and a half. Disenfranchises future voters and residents. Leaving them with no say in how Lansing is ran. The misinformation being spread by the Chair of commission is proof in the pudding. Put a city manager in charge of the economics can be nothing but a plus for the quality of life in Lansing. Look at what the last eight years has done. The roads are mess. The city has the largest funded vacancy factor in Lansings history. Historic vacancies in LFD,LPD, and in Public Service. The results are devastating to the quality of life. Crime and violence is through the roof. Are parks system has been destroyed. The roads are all but undriveable. Homelessness is skyrocketing. This administration is the most expensive in Lansings history. The taxpayers would save 500k a year in wages alone in the mayor's office. As a candidate for the charter commission. The number one issue was getting a city manager period. And some sort of oversight of the BW&L. This proposed charter would lock this in place for the next decade and a half. The commission has accomplished absolutely nothing that the public is demanding. They where put in place to protect the staus quo. And that's exactly what they are attempting to do with the proposed changes. Voting No, will only send this back to give the commission time to get this right. They seem afraid to do the work they where elected to do. The chamber is without a dought an arm of the strong mayor system. Out spending grassroots efforts for change. These people are owned by the system that put them in place. VOTE NO ON THE PROPOSED CHARTER!. There are many local political representatives that in no way support the proposed charter. Even charter commissioners are saying to vote NO. The city council president as well as others on the city council have publicly said to VOTE NO! There trying to push this through. We can't let that happen.
I attended the last final charter commission public meeting before ballots arrive. I was a NO vote before and even a harder NO vote now.
Voting NO. Basically, keeping this city in the hands of the Chamber. Forgot the people who live here. Again a big NO
The voting process...
Up or down vote: Lansing voters must approve or reject the entire new charter package, not specific items within it.
Next steps if rejected: If voters reject the proposal on November 4, the charter commission has up to two more opportunities to revise it and put it back on the ballot. If all three attempts fail, the city will keep its current charter from 1978.
For more information on proposed revisions to the city charter,
Vote NO MORE SCHOR by:
1) Voting for Kelsea Hector Mayor
2) Vote for Erik Almquist Ward 2
3) Vote for Julie Vandenboom At Large
4) Vote for Ali Peeler At Large Write in
5) Vote for Heath Lowrey Ward 4
6) Vote NO Lansing Charter Proposal
TOGETHER we will:
Expand access to safe, attainable & transitional housing
Strengthen transparency and trust in city government
Implement Community Policing for ALL of Lansing
Support small businesses and working families
Invest in public safety that is community-informed and care-centered
Utilize community driven change to create more livable neighborhoods
Provide high-quality services that provide the most value for your tax dollar
Revitalize our economic corridors
Roll up our sleeves to get things done for ALL residents of Lansing
