On Tuesday, June 16, the Michigan Senate passed the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MIVRA), marking a significant milestone for legislation designed to strengthen voting protections and help ensure Michigan voters have access to free, fair, and transparent elections.

Earlier this spring, VAAC shared news that Michigan lawmakers had reintroduced MIVRA and outlined what the legislation could mean for communities across the state. The Senate’s passage represents an important step forward for legislation that builds on Michigan voters’ longstanding support for accessible and inclusive elections.

The Senate’s action also makes Michigan the first legislative chamber in the country to pass a state voting rights act since the U.S. Supreme Court weakened key protections in the federal Voting Rights Act.

MIVRA has not yet become law. The bill package now moves to the Michigan House of Representatives, and additional legislative steps remain before any changes would take effect. VAAC will continue to share updates as the process moves forward.

What Would the Michigan Voting Rights Act Do?

According to the Senate package, MIVRA would:

• Prohibit voter denial, vote dilution, and voter suppression while providing remedies when violations occur.
• Create a nonpartisan voter institute and database to provide research, training, and accessible information about voting systems and election administration.
• Expand requirements for election-related information to be translated into languages other than English.
• Strengthen and clarify protections for voters with disabilities and voters who need assistance casting a ballot.

Why Is This Important?

Michigan voters have repeatedly made clear that eligible voters should be able to cast their ballots and participate in our democracy. In recent years, Michigan voters approved constitutional changes that expanded access to the ballot, including no-reason absentee voting in 2018 and early voting in 2022. 

The Michigan Voting Rights Act builds on that commitment by strengthening voting protections at the state level. The protections included in MIVRA address barriers that can prevent eligible voters from fully participating in our democracy and help ensure that voters can cast a ballot free from discrimination, including racial discrimination in voting.

The right to vote without discrimination, the ability to understand election information, access to assistance when needed, and fair representation should not be partisan issues. These are civil rights issues that affect whether eligible voters can fully participate in public life.

For many of the communities VAAC serves, including people impacted by incarceration, poverty, housing instability, and systemic exclusion, these protections are not abstract policy discussions. They can affect whether eligible voters receive accurate information, understand their options, navigate the voting process, and fully exercise their rights.

What Changes Right Now?

At this time, Michigan voters should continue to follow current Michigan voting laws and procedures.

The Senate’s vote does not immediately change how Michiganders register to vote or cast a ballot. If MIVRA completes the remaining steps in the legislative process, we will share updates about what those changes mean and when they would take effect.

Looking Ahead

VAAC extends our thanks to the Michigan Senators who voted to pass this legislation, as well as the advocates, election officials, organizers, and community members whose efforts helped bring this bill to this point in the legislative process.

If you would like to revisit our earlier overview of the Michigan Voting Rights Act and the issues that led to its reintroduction, you can read it here: https://votingaccessforall.org/2026/05/michigan-lawmakers-reintroduce-michigan-voting-rights-act-amid-ongoing-voting-access-debates/

As this legislation continues through the legislative process, VAAC will continue providing accurate, accessible information to help Michigan voters understand what is changing, what is not, and what it means for their communities.

Take action

The Michigan Voting Rights Act is heading to the Michigan House. VAAC encourages community members to contact their state representative and ask them to support and pass the Michigan Voting Rights Act.

You can find your state representative’s contact information at house.mi.gov/AllRepresentatives.

When you call or email, you can keep your message simple:

“Hello, my name is [your name], and I live in [your city]. I am asking Representative [name] to support and pass the Michigan Voting Rights Act. Michigan voters deserve strong protections against voting discrimination and barriers to fair representation. Thank you.”