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.”

The post Michigan Senate Passes the Michigan Voting Rights Act appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Supporters are advancing the package amid growing legal and political challenges to federal voting rights protections, including the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais. Advocates say the legislation would create stronger state-level protections against voter suppression, vote dilution, and barriers to participation as federal voting rights protections continue to weaken.

Michigan does not currently have a standalone state Voting Rights Act, meaning many voting rights safeguards depend primarily on federal law and court enforcement. Recent U.S. Senate discussions following the Callais decision have also focused on how weakening federal Voting Rights Act protections could affect majority-Black districts, district maps, and future voting rights enforcement nationwide.

In the Senate, lawmakers introduced Senate Bills 961, 962, 963, and 964 as part of the Michigan Voting Rights Act package. Lead sponsors include Sen. Darrin Camilleri, Sen. Jeremy Moss, Sen. Stephanie Chang, and Sen. Erika Geiss, with additional Senate co-sponsors supporting the legislation. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson worked with legislators to reintroduce the package, and Senate Democrats outlined the legislation during a press conference this week alongside Benson and other lawmakers. Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie also testified in support of the legislation before the Senate Elections and Ethics Committee.

Companion legislation was also introduced in the Michigan House through House Bills 5969, 5970, 5971, and 5972 by State Rep. Jason Hoskins, State Rep. Stephanie A. Young, State Rep. Tonya Myers Phillips, and State Rep. Veronica Paiz. The package would establish additional safeguards connected to election administration, voter access, and enforcement protections in Michigan. The legislation is modeled in part after state-level voting rights laws adopted in states including California, New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington, where lawmakers have enacted additional protections and enforcement mechanisms at the state level.

The proposed legislation includes provisions that would:

• Prohibit voter denial, dilution, and suppression and create legal remedies for violations
• Establish a nonpartisan voting rights institute and database focused on election administration, research, training, and public information
• Expand language access by increasing translated election materials, multilingual voting information, and language assistance for voters with limited English proficiency
• Clarify protections for voters with disabilities and voters who need assistance casting a ballot
  

The reintroduction of the Michigan Voting Rights Act comes as communities across Michigan continue organizing around documentary proof of citizenship proposals, including HB 4765 and the SAVE Act.

Community groups, local leaders, election advocates, and voting rights organizations opposing those proposals continue raising concerns that requiring documents such as passports or birth certificates in order to register to vote could create barriers for eligible voters.

Advocates have pointed to the impact these requirements could have on people who have moved frequently, changed their names, lost records, recently returned home from incarceration, or face housing instability.

The Michigan Voting Rights Act package and local organizing efforts are unfolding alongside broader statewide conversations about voting access, voter data, election worker protections, election oversight, and participation in Michigan elections.

Submit Support

As the legislation moves through the Senate Elections and Ethics Committee, community members can email OfcSCC@senate.michigan.gov and express support for Senate Bills 961, 962, 963, and 964.

VAAC will continue following developments connected to voting access, election administration, and policies that affect civic participation across Michigan.

The post Michigan Lawmakers Reintroduce Michigan Voting Rights Act Amid Ongoing Voting Access Debates appeared first on Voting Access For All.