January 20, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the appointment of two members to the Board of State Canvassers.

The Governor has reappointed Dorothy Jones of Ypsilanti to represent Democrats. Jones retired in July 2003 from United Auto Workers (UAW) where she served for more than 37 years, most recently as executive assistant to UAW President Ron Gettlefinger. She is a former chair of the Michigan Women’s Commission and former member of the Advisory Commission for Substance Abuse Services for the State of Michigan.

The Governor has appointed Lyn Bankes of Livonia to replace Eric J. Pelton to represent Republicans. Bankes was appointed to the Wayne County Charter Commission in 1980. From 1985 to 1998, she served as a Michigan State Representative. From 1999 to 2004, she served as the only Republican on the Wayne County Commission. She currently serves in a voluntary capacity as the executive director of the Phoenix Mill Women’s Museum.

Jones’ and Bankes’ terms expire January 31, 2009.

Under state statute, the state central committees of the Michigan Democratic and Republican Parties are required to submit three nominations for consideration by the governor. Those nominations must be submitted to the governor on or before January 10.

Jones was among those names forwarded to Governor Granholm by the Michigan Democratic Party. The Michigan Republican Party failed to submit names by the statutory deadline and, therefore, the Governor was required under Michigan’s election law to appoint an individual who was formerly elected as a state officer as a member of the Republican Party. Bankes formerly served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives.

The Board of State Canvassers is a four-member, bi-partisan, appointed board that certifies election results for state offices and other offices as they are referred to the board by law. Also serving on the board are Katherine DeGrow, a Republican of Eaton Rapids (term expires January 31, 2006) and Doyle O’Connor, a Democrat of Detroit (term expires January 31, 2006.)

The appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

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