Our First State Convention Experience: Insights from First-Time Attendees

Rick and I attended our first state convention this year, and what an experience it was. As

alternates, we knew it was unlikely we would be called on to vote, but we did a lot of behind-

the-scenes research on all the candidates, attended in-person events so we could meet the

Secretary of State and Attorney General candidates, and listened in on tele-town halls. We read every email and did our own research on the claims made in those emails. We felt prepared, ready, and able to cast an informed vote if we were elevated to delegate status.

Friday evening was amazing. We attended the gatherings for each of the candidates who held them. We listened intently to what they said, we talked to others in the room to get their thoughts, we enjoyed some great camaraderie, and of course ate some delicious

hors d'oeuvres. We met so many wonderful people and got a chance to talk with each of the

candidates. And, to be frank, it was so nice to be with rooms-full of people who think like us.

On Saturday morning, we were at the convention center bright and early to help with the Fifth District registration—verifying the people were who they said they were, verifying they paid the registration fee, and proudly giving them their lanyards and placards. I have to say, there was only one person in all the hundreds we checked in who seemed annoyed when I asked for identification. (Turns out this person is quite well known in Republican circles—but I’m not a longtime Michigan resident, so this was not a person I knew, and my job was to get

identification, so that’s what I did!)

I found it to be exhilarating to be in the convention hall when the proceedings started—there was such an enthusiastic energy, and I loved all those red-white-and-blue outfits! It was a long day—I was told it was actually much shorter than in previous years—but it was very interesting to us to see how the process works. We both learned a lot.

I think the convention did a lot to get people enthusiastic about what’s ahead. I know it did for me. And, even though I didn’t get to vote at the convention, I will be voting in both the primary and the general elections. I’m proud to say that in the 52 years I’ve been eligible to vote, I’ve never missed one election. And I won’t miss this year either.