We need your voice now more than ever! Michigan lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 494, a critical step toward ending the harmful practice of prison gerrymandering. This outdated policy distorts district maps, shifts resources unfairly, and silences the voices of communities most impacted by incarceration. We are thrilled that SB 494 passed in the Senate yesterday—but now it’s time to push for its passage in the House!

By Passing SB 494, We Can:

• Ensure fair representation for all Michiganders.
• Restore political power to neighborhoods affected by mass incarceration.
• Promote an accurate and just democratic process.

Take Action Now

Here’s how you can help:

📞 Contact Your State Representative.

Urge them to support and vote YES on SB 494.

Find Your State Representative.

💬 Share Your Voice.

Explain why fair representation matters to you and your community.

📢 Spread the Word.

Encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to take action, too.

Together, We Can Make a Difference.

Let’s ensure Michigan values every voice and leaves no community behind. Lawmakers need to know we’re watching—and we’re counting on them to do the right thing.

If you support SB 494, now is the time to make your voice heard.

Thank you for standing with us in this fight for justice and representation!

Learn more about prison gerrymandering on our website. For current details on the status of this and other bills, follow the MI-CEMI bill tracker.

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Prison Gerrymandering is a critical issue of fairness and representation in Michigan. Across our state, incarcerated individuals are counted as residents of the districts where they are confined, rather than their home communities. This practice distorts our district maps, shifts resources unfairly, and dilutes the voices of communities most impacted by incarceration, including many Black and underserved populations.

Detroit in particular, one of Michigan’s most incarcerated cities, grapples with Prison Gerrymandering. Many Detroit residents are held far from home in prisons, where they’re counted as residents, not in their own communities. This practice distorts district maps and dilutes the voices of our Black population. By ending Prison Gerrymandering, we can ensure fair representation and empower our neighborhoods to reclaim their political power.

I urge you to support SB 494 and join us in building a Michigan that ensures our district maps accurately reflect all the voices and people of our state.