The Michigan Senate passed the Michigan Voting Rights Act — a voting rights package including Senate Bills 961, 962, 963 and 964 — Tuesday afternoon. If passed by the Michigan House of Representatives, the bills would prohibit discriminatory actions that restrict voters’ access. The MVRA establishes a Michigan Voting Rights Assistance Fund and allows individuals to file lawsuits against actions targeting voting access. The package now heads for a vote in the Michigan House of Representatives.
The package follows a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in April which limited the enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 — including how states employ race-based redistricting through gerrymandering practices.
In a press release, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson wrote that she believes implementing the voting package is critical to protecting Michigan’s voting rights, and encouraged state leaders of the Michigan House of Representatives to pass the MVRA.
“Today, the state Senate passed the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA), advancing the fight against voter suppression and taking a stand for Michigan voters,” Benson wrote. “I now urge House lawmakers to pass the MVRA and send these essential legal protections to the Governor’s desk.”
In a separate press release, state Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, who co-sponsored the package, said protecting voting rights should be a top priority for lawmakers throughout the country.
“A strong, representative democracy depends on every voter being able to access and understand the voting process,” Chang wrote. “The Michigan Voting Rights Act ensures every eligible voter — of every language, race, ability, or zip code — can cast their vote accurately and without fear of being silenced, thereby increasing participation in our elections and strengthening democracy for all of us.”
Loren Khogali, executive director of the ACLU of Michigan, said in a press release that the MVRA is essential to limiting racial discrimination — especially against Black voters — in the voting process.
“The intent of these anti-democracy policies is to control the outcome of our elections and disempower Black voters, voters of color and disabled voters from picking elected leaders at the local, state and federal level,” Khogali wrote. “In Michigan, voters have made it clear that it should be easy for all eligible voters to cast their ballots. Full stop.”
In the same press release, state Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, said as federal voting protections weaken, Michigan leaders must work to ensure all voters’ rights are protected.
“As federal voting protections are being eroded by those who are afraid of losing at the ballot box, we’re fighting back to ensure every eligible Michigander can freely and fairly participate in our elections — because a true democracy reflects the will of all of us, not just a select few,” Brinks wrote.
Managing News Editor Aanya Panyadahundi can be reached at aanyatp@umich.edu. Daily News Editor Gia Verma can be reached at giaverma@umich.edu.
