The Legislature has entered its so-called “lame duck” period, the period between Election Day in November and new lawmakers taking their oath of office in early January.

This year, Democrats — who have controlled both chambers of the Legislature for the past two years — are racing to get through a number of their priority policies before Republicans, who performed well on Election Day in November, reclaim control of the state House.

Things move fast in lame duck, with many marathon sessions lasting long into the night or even into the following morning as lawmakers try to get bills to the governor’s desk before the new Legislature takes over.

It’s important to pay attention to the bills lawmakers tackle in lame duck and voice your support or opposition early, because bills move quickly in lame duck and it’d be easy to miss something important slipping through in the wee hours.

This year, lawmakers have begun to push bills that reform policing, change the way petition signatures can be collected and remove several outdated laws from the books.

Follow the process at Legislature.MI.gov or by following Capitol press corps reporters on social media.

Then let your lawmakers know what you think.

(Editor’s note: State Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, can be reached at 517-373-7840, toll-free at 855-347-8038 or at senemcbroom@senate.michigan.gov. State Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette, can be reached at 517-373-0498 or JennHill@house.mi.gov. State Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, can be reached at 517-373-0850 or GregMarkkanen@house.mi.gov.)