Public Comment Takeovers are pushing local governments to act on similar resolutions that have stalled. If you are able to help in these areas, your voice is needed.

Statewide Action and Coordination

This resolution is part of a coordinated effort led by a statewide documentary proof of citizenship coalition, which Voting Access for All Coalition (VAAC) is proud to be a part of, in community with All Voting is Local Michigan, Common Cause Michigan, Voters Not Politicians, VoteRiders, United Way of Southeast Michigan, Progress Michigan, and many more.

Wayne County Board of Commissioners, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, Detroit City Council, and Ypsilanti City Council have also passed resolutions affirming support for Michigan’s current election system while raising concerns about the barriers documentary proof of citizenship requirements could create for eligible voters.

Where This Work Is Happening

Organizing is underway in these communities, with Public Comment Takeovers pushing local officials to act on stalled resolutions. Residents are being asked to attend meetings, speak during public comment, and call for action opposing documentary proof of citizenship requirements.

• Ingham County
• Lansing City Council
• East Lansing City Council
• Genesee County
• Flint City Council
• Southfield City Council
• Warren City Council
• Harper Woods City Council
• Adrian City Council
• Houghton County

The coalition is looking to connect with people who have relationships in these communities and are ready to support this work.

What Local Leaders Are Saying

Council members and the mayor voted together to oppose the initiative, citing concerns that many eligible voters would face barriers in accessing the documents required to cast a ballot.

This initiative would require voters to provide documents such as a birth certificate or passport, documents that can be costly, difficult to obtain, or may not match current legal names.

As shared in reporting, VAAC Executive Director Angela Davenport stated:
“This falls on residents who are being asked to navigate systems that were never built with them in mind.”

Council members also raised concerns about the real impact on their community, including:

• Residents who may not have access to original birth certificates
• Naturalized citizens whose documents may not match U.S. naming conventions
• Married individuals whose names differ from their birth records
• Families facing financial barriers to obtaining documents like passports

What This Means

This action by Pontiac adds to growing concern across Michigan about policies that could prevent eligible voters from participating in elections.

Current law already requires voters to attest to their citizenship when registering and voting.

Efforts like this can create new barriers for eligible voters, especially for communities already facing challenges accessing identification, stable housing, and other essential resources.

Local governments speaking out reflect growing concern about how these policies would impact real people across Michigan.

Take Action

Public Comment Takeovers are underway in key communities where action has been delayed. Community members are encouraged to attend, speak during public comment, and call on local governing bodies to take up resolutions opposing documentary proof of citizenship requirements.

The links below include sign-up for these events. Talking points will be provided upon sign up.

• Ingham County: Tuesday, April 14 at 6:30pm
  • Board Room, Ingham County Courthouse, 315 S Jefferson St., Mason
  • Email: Ingham County Board of Commissioners Chair Ryan Sebolt at rsebolt@ingham.org and ask him to bring the resolution opposing the Michigan version of the SAVE Act.
• Warren: Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00pm
  • Warren Community Center, 5460 Arden Ave, Suite 505, Warren, MI 48092
• Lansing: Monday, April 20 at 7:00pm
  • Lansing City Council Chambers (10th floor) 124 W. Michigan Ave., Lansing

Voting rights advocates with Voters Not Politicians are also hosting a virtual monthly update to share the latest information and ways to take action:

Hands Off MI Vote: Voters Not Politicians Monthly Update
April 7, 2026
6:00–7:00 PM
Virtual – Register now: https://www.mobilize.us/vnp/event/922798/

Pontiac City Council was the first Oakland County municipality to pass the resolution. Please take a moment to send a message thanking the councilmembers for taking this important stand.  

Now that Oakland County communities are starting to take action, please send a copy of the letter below to Dave Woodward, Chair of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners (woodwardd@oakgov.com), and ask him to bring the resolution up for a vote at an upcoming Oakland County Board of Commissioners meeting.

The post Pontiac Resolution Advances as Public Comment Actions Launch Across Michigan appeared first on Voting Access For All.

The resolution passed by a 12–1 vote and reflects growing concern across Southeast Michigan about proposals that would require voters to provide documents such as a birth certificate or passport when registering and additional documentation when casting a ballot.

These requirements would eliminate the current option to register using a driver’s license and could create new barriers for eligible voters.

Nearly 700,000 Michiganders do not have or cannot easily access the documents that would be required under the proposal. For many residents, obtaining these documents can cost more than $100 and require time and resources that are not readily available.

The proposal would impact a wide range of voters, including justice-impacted citizens, low-income residents, married women who have changed their names, military and overseas voters, people with disabilities, and others who may face challenges accessing required documentation.

Wayne County joins a growing list of local governments taking action. Washtenaw County, Detroit, and Ypsilanti have each passed similar resolutions, and Kalamazoo County also advanced a resolution this week.

Next, the Pontiac City Council is scheduled to consider a resolution on Tuesday, March 24 at 6:00 pm (47450 Woodward Ave, 2nd Floor, Pontiac). Community members who wish to speak can arrive before the meeting and sign up for public comment. Written comments can also be submitted to ccouncil@pontiac.mi.us.

Additional efforts are underway in Warren, as well as in Genesee County and the City of Flint, where local partners are organizing to bring forward similar resolutions.

Voting Access for All Coalition (VAAC) is proud to be part of the coalition supporting this work and organizing across Michigan to protect the right to vote. Community members are encouraged to stay engaged and support these efforts as they continue in communities across the state.

The post Wayne County Passes Resolution Opposing the Michigan SAVE Act appeared first on Voting Access For All.

This week brought several developments related to the proposal. Americans for Citizen Voting held a press conference announcing plans to submit 750,000 signatures for the ballot initiative. Around the same time, a Republican township clerk resigned from office while describing the proposal as “way overkill” in an interview with The Oakland Press.

While those developments continue to unfold, communities across Michigan are moving forward with local resolutions opposing the proposal.

Detroit City Council, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, and Ypsilanti City Council have each unanimously passed resolutions opposing the proposal. The resolutions affirm support for Michigan’s current election system while raising concerns about the barriers documentary proof of citizenship requirements could create for eligible voters.

Additional votes are now scheduled in several communities.

Wayne County Board of Commissioners – March 19

The Wayne County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to consider a resolution on Thursday, March 19 at 10:00 am at the Guardian Building (500 Griswold, 7th floor) in Detroit.

This meeting is an important opportunity for community members to show support for protecting access to the ballot. Strong turnout helps demonstrate that voters across Wayne County care deeply about keeping elections accessible and fair.

If you are able, consider attending the meeting to show your support for the resolution and for protecting voting rights. If you know others who care about protecting access to the ballot, please consider sharing this information with them as well.

How to Participate

Attend the meeting in person
Guardian Building
500 Griswold, 7th Floor
Detroit, MI
Arrive before 10:00 am.

Speak during public comment
Anyone wishing to speak must fill out a public comment card at the meeting.
Public comment will take place after the vote on the resolution, estimated around 10:45 or 11:00 am.

Join the meeting virtually
The meeting can also be joined online via Zoom.

Register to provide public comment
Community members can sign up in advance through Mobilize to provide public comment..

Submit comments by email
Emailed comments sent to pfordham@waynecountymi.gov will be read into the record by the commission clerk. Please include your name with your comment.

Community members are encouraged to contact members of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners ahead of the vote and ask them to support the resolution opposing the proposal.

Wayne County Commissioners

Additional Upcoming Votes

⇨ Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners
Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30 pm
201 W Kalamazoo Ave, 2nd Floor Kalamazoo, MI 49007

To submit written testimony, email Chair Jen Strebs at
jen.strebs@kalcounty.gov

To participate in public comment, arrive before 6:30 pm and sign up to speak.

⇨ Pontiac City Council
Tuesday, March 24 at 6:00 pm
47450 Woodward Ave, 2nd Floor, Pontiac, MI 48342

Email comments:
ccouncil@pontiac.mi.us

To speak during public comment, arrive before 6:00 pm and sign the public comment clipboard.

Additional Local Updates

Planning and organizing around similar resolutions is underway in several other communities across Michigan, including:

⦿ Ingham County
⦿ Lansing City Council
⦿ East Lansing City Council
⦿ Genesee County
⦿ Flint City Council
⦿ Southfield City Council
⦿ Warren City Council
⦿ Harper Woods City Council
⦿ Adrian City Council
⦿ Houghton County

VAAC is proud to be part of this coalition and will continue sharing updates as additional communities consider similar resolutions in the coming weeks.

The post Local Governments Continue Advancing Resolutions Opposing Documentary Proof of Citizenship Proposal appeared first on Voting Access For All.

So far, three jurisdictions have passed resolutions opposing the proposal:

Detroit City Council
Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners
Ypsilanti City Council

Each resolution affirms support for Michigan’s current election system and raises concerns that documentary proof of citizenship requirements could create barriers for eligible voters who cannot easily access documents such as birth certificates or passports.

Now, the Wayne County Board of Commissioners is preparing to consider a similar resolution.

Momentum is continuing to grow in other parts of the state.

Wayne County Board of Commissioners – March 19

The Wayne County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to introduce a resolution on March 19 at 10:00 am at the Guardian Building in Detroit.

This meeting is an important opportunity for community members to show support for protecting access to the ballot. Strong turnout helps demonstrate that voters across Wayne County care deeply about keeping elections accessible and fair.

If you are able, consider attending the meeting to show your support for the resolution and for protecting our voting rights.

What to know if you plan to attend:

The meeting begins at 10:00 am, so plan to arrive on time.

Anyone wishing to speak during public comment must fill out a public comment card at the meeting. Public comment will take place after the vote on the resolution.

Because public comment happens after the vote, community members are also encouraged to send comments to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners ahead of time by email.

You may provide public comments in person, via Zoom or email. Emailed comments sent to pfordham@waynecountymi.gov will be read by the Acting Clerk of the Commission. Please include your name with your comment(s).

Send a Message to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners

Community voices matter in these discussions. If you are unable to attend the meeting on March 19, you can still support the resolution by sending a public comment to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. Folks are encouraged to email the county commissioners ahead of time asking them to vote YES on the resolution opposing the Michigan version of the SAVE Act.

Below is a sample email you can use or adapt.

SUBJECT: Tell Wayne County to stand up for voters!

Dear [NAME],

[INTRODUCE YOURSELF] On March 19, the Wayne County Board of Commissioners plans to introduce a resolution taking a stand against the documentary proof of citizenship ballot proposal. We need all hands on deck to support the resolution and make sure that Wayne County commits to protect voting.

What to know: An out-of-state group is currently circulating a ballot proposal that would require voters to show a birth certificate or passport when registering to vote and require more documents when voters go to cast their ballots. Nearly 700,000 Michiganders can’t access these documents, which can cost more than $100.

The proposal would make it more difficult for married women, overseas and military voters, students, rural voters, voters with disabilities, and low-income voters to participate in our elections. Unfortunately, reporters have documented signature gatherers misinforming voters about the impacts of these petitions.

We’re asking the Wayne County Board of Commissioners to pass a resolution setting the record straight.

Additional Local Updates

Work on similar resolutions is underway in several other communities across Michigan.

In progress:

✦ Kalamazoo County
✦ Kalamazoo Township
✦ Ingham County
✦ Lansing
✦ Warren City Council
✦ Houghton County
✦ Genesee County
✦ City of Flint

Upcoming

Pontiac City Council plans to take up a resolution on March 24. This is a strong opportunity for residents in Pontiac and Oakland County to engage. Let us know if you want guidance in how to do so.

VAAC will continue sharing updates as additional communities consider resolutions in the coming weeks.

The post Local Governments Continue Opposing Documentary Proof of Citizenship Proposal appeared first on Voting Access For All.

On February 17, the Detroit City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the proposal, which would require voters to provide documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or other records when registering to vote, eliminating the current option to register using a driver’s license. If approved, it would also require additional documentation when casting a ballot, whether in person or by absentee. The proposal mirrors federal efforts, including the SAVE Act, that would impose similar documentary proof of citizenship requirements nationwide.

On that same day, the Ypsilanti City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the proposal, citing concerns about the impact on married women, people experiencing homelessness, low-income voters, transgender voters, and others who may face difficulty accessing required documents.

In January, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution opposing ballot proposals that would impose documentary proof of citizenship requirements and create barriers to voting. The Board affirmed its support for Michigan’s existing election laws, noting that state and federal law already prohibit noncitizens from voting and that Michigan’s election system has received national recognition for integrity and accessibility.

Public support in Washtenaw County was overwhelming, with dozens of residents providing in-person and written testimony in favor of the resolution.

For VAAC, this issue is not abstract. During public comment in Detroit, Executive Director Angela Davenport shared the story of an older Detroit woman born in the South at a time when many Black births were never officially recorded. Despite multiple attempts, she has been unable to obtain a certified birth certificate. Under the proposed requirements, she could lose her ability to vote, not because she is ineligible, but because official records were never properly created.

As Angela stated before Council, these proposals are being framed as security measures, but in practice they create barriers. VAAC’s work brings voter education and civic access directly into shelters, reentry spaces, and community settings where access has long been limited or denied. Documentary proof of citizenship requirements would disproportionately affect the very communities we serve.

According to nonpartisan research cited in the resolutions, nearly 700,000 Michiganders do not possess or cannot easily access the documents that would be required under the proposed ballot measure. Obtaining a passport or certified birth certificate can involve significant cost and time. For many residents navigating tight budgets, limited mobility, housing instability, or inflexible work schedules, these requirements could create additional barriers to registering or casting a ballot.

VAAC is part of a broad statewide coalition working to educate voters about the proposal and encourage local governments to affirm their commitment to secure, fair, and accessible elections. Coalition partners include:

All Voting Is Local Michigan, ACLU Michigan, Voters Not Politicians, Common Cause Michigan, Progress Michigan, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Vote Riders, Indivisible Metro Detroit, Michigan United Action, Michigan Voices, League of Women Voters of Michigan, Equality Michigan, MI Poder, 25 Demos, Fair Elections, Detroit Disability Power, Disability Action, Civic Empowerment Coalition, Clean Water Action, Michigan Country, Rising Voices, The Detroit Change Initiative, Working Families Power, APIA Vote Michigan, National Network for Arab American Communities, Miigwich Inc, National Council of Jewish Women, Jews for a Secular Democracy, Detroit Jews for Justice, Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network, Oakland Forward, and Citizen Detroit.

Work is already underway in additional counties and cities, including Wayne, Oakland, Ingham, Genesee, and Kalamazoo.

Take Action

Local leadership is one part of the response. Community voices are another.

You can help:

• Record and share a video testimonial about how documentary proof of citizenship requirements could affect you or your community using the hashtag #HandsOffMIVote
• Use the SoSha recording tool to create and amplify video testimonials (there’s even a helpful guide to show you how to use it!)
• Share and amplify coalition partners’ social media content within your networks
• Submit an op-ed or letter to the editor in your local publication

These stories and actions help ground the conversation in real experiences and keep voting access in the hands of Michigan communities.

We will continue sharing updates as this ballot proposal moves forward.

The post Local Governments Oppose Documentary Proof of Citizenship Ballot Proposal appeared first on Voting Access For All.