Black state lawmakers in Michigan have raised concerns over a newspaper advertisement by GOP candidate Tom Barrett that listed the wrong date for Election Day. The Michigan Legislative Black Caucus has called on the state’s attorney general and a county prosecutor to investigate the matter.
The ad in question appeared in the Michigan Bulletin, a Black-owned publication serving Lansing, instructing voters to cast their ballots on November 6, when in fact, Election Day is on November 5. Barrett is running against Democrat Curtis Hertel in a closely contested race to succeed Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District.
Barrett's campaign spokesperson, Jason Roe, attributed the error to a proofing mistake and emphasized the campaign's commitment to engaging with the Black community. The campaign promptly provided corrected artwork to the Bulletin after being notified of the error.
However, Democratic state Senators Erika Geiss and Sarah Anthony, representing the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, expressed concerns over the discrepancy in the ad and pointed out that other campaign materials targeting Black voters correctly stated the Election Day. As of the latest update, the error had not been rectified in the Michigan Bulletin.
The lawmakers have urged authorities to investigate whether the incorrect date in the ad constitutes a violation of state law. The incident has sparked debate over the importance of accurate voter information and outreach efforts, particularly within minority communities.
