At Voting Access for All Coalition, we work every day to ensure that returning citizens, formerly incarcerated individuals, and justice-impacted communities have full access to their right to vote. House Joint Resolution B (HJR B) threatens that right by imposing unnecessary barriers to voter registration—particularly harming the communities we serve.

What is HJR B?

If passed, HJR B would eliminate the ability to register to vote using only a driver’s license or state-issued ID. Instead, individuals would be required to provide additional documentary proof of citizenship, such as a passport, naturalization papers, or a certified birth certificate that matches their current legal name.

Who Would Be Harmed?

This requirement disproportionately impacts:

• Formerly incarcerated individuals
• Women (especially married women)
• Seniors
• College students and tribal citizens
• Rural communities
• Active-duty military members

Many of these individuals do not have easy access to these documents due to systemic barriers, lost records, or financial hardship. This unnecessary restriction would disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters, increase election costs, and make the process less efficient.

HJR B Threatens Voting Access for Returning Citizens

Right now in Michigan, people with felony convictions automatically regain their right to vote upon release. VAAC has worked tirelessly to educate, register, and engage returning citizens in the democratic process.

HJR B undermines that progress by creating a new registration hurdle that disproportionately affects those already marginalized by the legal system. Many returning citizens do not have immediate access to a passport or birth certificate upon release, and requiring them to obtain these documents before registering to vote is an unfair, unnecessary barrier to full civic participation.

Yesterday, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson held a press conference to highlight the serious threat HJR B poses to Michigan’s election system. This amendment would make it even harder for those reentering society to reintegrate and have a voice in the policies that impact their lives.

Take Action: Call Your State Representative Today!

Michigan voters have already spoken—we overwhelmingly passed Proposal 22-2 just two years ago to expand ballot access and protect voting rights. This resolution goes against the will of the people and the work VAAC does to engage marginalized communities in the democratic process.

Find your State Representative here.

Sample Call Script (Personalize as Needed):

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a voter in House District [Your District Number].

I’m calling to strongly oppose House Joint Resolution B (HJR B) because it would create unnecessary barriers to voter registration and disproportionately impact thousands of eligible Michigan voters—especially returning citizens and justice-impacted individuals who are working to reintegrate into society.

This amendment undermines the work that organizations like VAAC do to ensure formerly incarcerated individuals have full access to their rights as citizens. Many returning citizens do not have immediate access to a passport or birth certificate, and requiring them to obtain these documents before registering to vote is an unfair restriction.

HJR B directly contradicts the will of Michigan voters, who overwhelmingly supported Proposal 22-2 to expand voting access. It is nothing more than voter suppression.

This harmful resolution would:
❌ Disproportionately harm formerly incarcerated individuals, women, seniors, students, military service members, and rural communities
❌ Make elections harder and more expensive to administer
❌ Contradict the will of Michigan voters who have already chosen accessible, modern, and secure elections

I urge you to publicly oppose HJR B and protect the right to vote for all Michigan citizens, especially those reentering society and seeking to fully participate in their communities.

Thank you for your time and for standing up for Michigan voters.

Call your State Representative today and help stop this harmful resolution!