Exonerees are individuals who were wrongfully convicted and have fought to reclaim their freedom.

Exonerees are individuals who were wrongfully convicted and have fought to reclaim their freedom. Eric Anderson is an exoneree who was wrongfully convicted and fought to reclaim his freedom. Jennifer St. John is a reentry leader who, after spending 20 years incarcerated, now supports justice-impacted individuals as they rebuild stability, connect to resources, and move forward after incarceration. You can read more about Eric Anderson’s story here: https://www.michiganpublic.org/criminal-justice-legal-system/2025-11-17/new-report-on-a-wrongful-conviction-highlights-old-missteps-in-hopes-of-preventing-future-mistakes

Their experiences reflect deep failures within our criminal legal system and the lasting impact of wrongful incarceration on individuals, families, and entire communities.

During Second Chance Month, we recognize the importance of restoring opportunity and supporting people as they rebuild their lives. This conversation will explore how civic engagement and voting become critical pathways for reclaiming voice, agency, and power.

Participation in the democratic process is about more than casting a ballot. It is about being heard, shaping change, and ensuring that what happened to them does not happen to others.

This is an opportunity to listen, learn, and deepen our understanding of the connection between justice, democracy, and building civic power, and why those most impacted must be at the center of this work.

Event Details

Friday, April 24
12:30 – 1:30 PM EST
Virtual (Zoom)
Join: bit.ly/VAACFridays

The post VAAC Friday Community Meeting on April 24th | Beyond Exoneration: From Silenced to Shaping Change appeared first on Voting Access For All.

This statewide day of action brings community members together to engage directly with lawmakers on issues including voting rights, reproductive freedom, healthcare access, and economic justice.

VAAC will be meeting with legislators throughout the day to talk about policies that impact access to voting and representation in Michigan. Our team, including our high school interns, will take part in these meetings and see firsthand how policy decisions shape civic participation.

As part of these conversations, we will be educating lawmakers on:

• Voting Access for Returning Citizens (SB 603 / HB 4812)
• Ending prison gerrymandering (SB 537)

We will also be joining coalition partners All Voting Is Local, Common Cause, Jews for a Secular Democracy, and others, in bringing a shared pledge to lawmakers that calls for protecting voting access and opposing efforts that create barriers to participation. This includes distributing the pledge to legislators and continuing that outreach in the months ahead.

This work reflects a coordinated effort across organizations to respond to ongoing attacks on voting access and to reinforce that communities across Michigan are paying attention and engaged.

Join us at Capitol Day:

Register here: https://bit.ly/capday2026

Free buses are available from Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, and Saginaw. (Detroit bus is full)
Food will be provided (please indicate any dietary restrictions on the sign-up form).
A Kid-Zone / Youth Activity Table will be available.

The post Capitol Day 2026: VAAC Heads to Lansing with Statewide Partners on April 29 appeared first on Voting Access For All.

This is a special election, which means not every community has something on the ballot. First, check to see if you have an election in your area by visiting mi.gov/vote and selecting “Your voter information.”

If you have an absentee ballot and have not returned it yet, do not put it in the mail.

If you still have your ballot, you should:

• Return your ballot to your city or township clerk’s office. You can find your clerk’s office(s) by visiting MI.gov/vote and clicking on “Your voter information.” If you are unable to drop off your ballot yourself, an immediate family member or someone in your household can drop it off for you.
• Use a secure drop box in your city or township. You can find your drop box(es) by visiting MI.gov/vote and clicking on “Your voter information.” 
• Bring your completed ballot to your early voting site (if available) or your polling place on Election Day and feed it into a tabulator. Just tell the poll workers you’d like to do this when you check in.  You can find your early voting sites, if early voting is offered, and Election Day polling place by visiting MI.gov/vote and clicking on “Your voter information.” 

Unless you are serving in the military or living overseas, your ballot must be received by your local clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day, May 5, to count.

If needed, you can also request that your clerk pick up your completed ballot. You must contact your clerk by 5:00 PM on Friday, May 1, and your ballot must be in the city or township where you are registered.

Before returning your ballot, make sure to sign the ballot envelope with your official signature, the same one used for your driver’s license or voter registration. If the envelope is not signed, your ballot will not be counted.

We encourage you to track your absentee ballot and application by visiting mi.gov/vote and clicking on “Your voter information.” (If there’s no date under a particular step, it means that step is not complete.) You can also now sign up for tracking notifications by email. To sign up, go to mi.gov/vote and click on “subscribe to ballot notifications.” 

If you plan to register to vote, you can still do so in person at your city or township clerk’s office through Election Day.

To register, you will need proof of residency. This is a document with your name and current address. You can use:

• A Michigan driver’s license or state ID
• A utility bill
• A bank statement
• A paycheck
• A government check
• Any other government document

Key Dates

Now:

Return your absentee ballot in person to your clerk’s office or a secure drop box.

May 4 at 4:00 PM:

Deadline to vote in person with an absentee ballot at your clerk’s office. After this time, you must vote at your polling place on Election Day.

May 5 – Election Day:

Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
You can still register and vote at your city or township clerk’s office until 8:00 PM.

The post Key Dates + What to Do Now for the May 5 Election appeared first on Voting Access For All.

MMOP is a grassroots effort focused on reducing the influence of corporate money in Michigan elections and addressing pay-to-play politics, where financial contributions can shape political decisions.

The proposal would:

• Ban regulated utilities from making political contributions
• Ban corporations with large state or local government contracts from contributing to political campaigns
• Close loopholes that allow undisclosed political spending (“dark money”)

This campaign is working to place the proposal on the November 2026 ballot so voters can decide directly.

Right now, the focus is on collecting the signatures required to get there. The campaign needs to gather hundreds of thousands of valid signatures from voters across Michigan.

Why this matters

When large corporations and major contractors can financially influence elections, it impacts whose voices are heard and whose priorities move forward.

This campaign is one way people can take action to shift that, by putting the question directly in front of voters.

What you can do

There are several ways to get involved:

• Sign the petition
  Request a petition or find a location near you to add your name
• Circulate the petition
  Volunteer to collect signatures in your community
• Join a local effort
  Connect with others already organizing and collecting signatures

This is happening statewide, and participation at this stage is what determines whether this issue reaches the ballot.

Getting involved in efforts like this is one way to take part in shaping what appears on the ballot and how decisions are made in Michigan. This is exactly what we mean when we talk about building civic power.

If you want to sign, help circulate, or get connected, reach out to VAAC at contact@votingaccessforall.org and put <MMOP> in the subject line to get started.

The post Sign or Circulate the MMOP (Michiganders for Money Out of Politics) Petition appeared first on Voting Access For All.

On Monday evening, the Lansing City Council unanimously passed a MI Democracy Resolution opposing these requirements.

Community members showed up, stayed late into the evening, and made sure their voices were heard. The meeting went past 10:00 PM, with residents continuing to speak directly to local officials about how these proposals would affect their communities.

This outcome reflects ongoing organizing and coordination across a statewide coalition, including Voting Access for All Coalition (VAAC), League of Women Voters, Michigan United, Voters Not Politicians, Common Cause, One Love Global, MI Poder, and other partners supporting outreach, public comment, and local engagement.

Local reporting highlighted concerns from election officials about the real impact of these proposals. As reported by Fox 47, Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope, who has overseen elections for two decades, emphasized that documentary proof of citizenship requirements would create barriers for eligible voters while addressing a problem that rarely occurs.

“I can tell you the way to have a safe, secure and accurate election is to increase turnout. So I encourage everyone to get out to the polls,” Swope said.

“The number of non-citizens who vote is so minuscule, especially when you compare it to the number of people who are not going to have this documentary proof.”

You can read more here:
https://www.fox47news.com/neighborhoods/downtown-old-town-reo-town/lansing-voting-rights-resolution-sparks-debate-over-citizenship-proof-requirements

At the same time, Southfield City Council heard testimony and has referred a similar resolution to its legislative committee, with the expectation that it will return for consideration at an upcoming meeting.

What these resolutions address

These MI Democracy Resolutions respond to proposals that would require people to provide specific citizenship documents, such as a passport or birth certificate, in order to register to vote.

For many people, this means dealing with red tape like paying fees, taking time off work, traveling to government offices, or trying to track down records that may not exist or do not match their current legal name. These added costs and barriers can act as a poll tax, preventing eligible voters from registering and voting.

Michigan has made significant investments in expanding access to voting, including same-day registration, no-excuse absentee voting, and early voting. 

State and federal law already prohibit non-citizens from voting.

State and local connection

This work is happening alongside action at the state level.

In Michigan, HB 4765 has passed the House and is now in the Senate. This bill closely resembles the SAVE Act and would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote.

This bill would do the same. It would force people to navigate red tape and pay to access documents like birth certificates or passports. These added costs and barriers can act as a poll tax, and would prevent eligible Michigan voters from registering and voting.

Nearly 700,000 Michiganders do not have or cannot easily access the documents required under this proposal. Requiring them would prevent eligible voters from registering and voting.

Public Comment Takeovers

Public Comment Takeovers remain a key strategy in communities where resolutions have not yet been brought forward or passed.

Community members are organizing to attend meetings, speak during public comment, and ask local leaders to pass MI Democracy Resolutions opposing documentary proof of citizenship requirements.

Speaking from your own experience and perspective matters. Local leaders are paying attention to who shows up and what they are hearing from residents.

Additional Communities

Organizing efforts are ongoing in a number of communities, including:

• Oakland County Board of Commissioners
• East Lansing City Council
• Ingham County Board of Commissioners
• Kalamazoo City Council
• Warren City Council
• Sterling Heights City Council
• Harper Woods City Council
• Genesee County Board of Commissioners
• Adrian City Council
• Cadillac City Council
• Eaton County
• Clinton County
• Watertown Township
• Farmington Hills City Council
• Cass County Board of Commissioners
• Mt. Pleasant City Council
• Charlevoix City Council
• West Bloomfield Township

If you have connections in any of these communities or are interested in supporting this work:

Email contact@votingaccessforall.org and put “DPOC Resolution Help” in the subject line, or call 248-302-4463

Local leaders are paying attention to who shows up and who speaks out. When you attend meetings, share your perspective, or connect with leaders in your community, you help shape decisions.

This is how we build civic power.

The post Lansing Passes MI Democracy Resolution as HB 4765 Advances in Michigan appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Based on information from the Campaign Legal Center (CLC), the U.S. Senate has stopped debate on the SAVE Act. This means the bill has effectively stalled and did not advance in the Senate.

This is a shift from where things stood in February, when the House of Representatives passed the bill and it moved to the Senate for consideration.

What the SAVE Act would do

As previously shared, the SAVE Act would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote or update voter registration. This could include documents such as a passport, certified birth certificate, or naturalization papers.

These requirements would add new steps to the registration process and could make it harder for eligible voters to register or stay registered.

Who could be impacted

Accessing these documents can require time, cost, and supporting paperwork. Based on prior analysis and national advocacy reporting, barriers could fall most heavily on:

• People impacted by incarceration, poverty, or housing instability
• People whose documents do not match their current name
• Elderly voters
• Naturalized citizens
• Voters with limited access to transportation or government offices

It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal or state elections. Proposals like this add additional documentation requirements for people who are already eligible.

What happens next

Because the Senate stopped debate, the SAVE Act did not move forward at this time.

However, similar proposals continue to move forward at the state and local level.

In Michigan, HB 4765 has already passed the House and is now in the Senate. Like the federal SAVE Act, it would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote and could create barriers for eligible voters across the state.

At the same time, local governments across Michigan are taking action by passing resolutions opposing these types of requirements.

Take action

There are multiple ways to engage right now:

• Contact your State Senator and share how HB 4765 could impact you or your community
• Show up to local meetings and public comment opportunities where documentary proof of citizenship policies are being discussed
• Speak from your experience. Local leaders are hearing directly from community members, and those voices are shaping decisions

What is happening at the federal level, in Lansing, and in local communities is connected. Participation at every level is how civic power is built.

We will continue sharing updates as this develops.

The post SAVE Act Update: Senate Vote Stalls Federal Proposal appeared first on Voting Access For All.

There’s an important detail that has gotten lost in some of the coverage:

The DOJ requested these records from the wrong office.

In Michigan, local clerks run elections and maintain election records, not the county clerk. The materials the DOJ is asking for are held by local city and township clerks.

This reflects a basic misunderstanding of how elections work in Michigan.

How elections actually work in Michigan
Elections in Michigan are run at the local level.

That means:
→ Local clerks administer elections in their communities
→ Local election workers and volunteers manage polling locations
→ Local offices maintain ballots and election records

There are checks and balances built into every step of the process, carried out by people in our communities.

What state leaders are saying

Michigan’s Attorney General, Governor, and Secretary of State have responded, raising concerns about this request and what it represents.

Attorney General Dana Nessel:
“Recycling debunked 2020 election conspiracy theories as justification to demand copies of the ballots of Michigan residents is a clear attempt to bully clerks and spread fear, even after Donald Trump won Michigan in 2024. If this administration wants to bring this circus to our state, my office is prepared to protect the people’s right to vote.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer:
“Michigan’s elections are safe and secure, and any attempt to suggest otherwise is an attempt to take away Michiganders’ constitutional right to vote. More than 1,600 locally elected clerks across Michigan ensure that every citizen can vote and have their vote counted.”

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson:
“We won’t be intimidated by these tactics. We stand with Wayne County to ensure we protect the integrity of our elections and the privacy of Michigan voters. And we are ready to do the same with any other Michigan clerks DOJ threatens in this way. As always, we will follow the law and fight to protect our secure, accessible election system against this administration’s ongoing abuse of power.”

What this means
This situation highlights two things:

→ Michigan’s elections are run locally, with systems in place to ensure accuracy and accountability.
→ There are ongoing efforts to question or interfere with how elections are administered.

Michigan voters choose our leaders. Not the other way around.

Local election officials, workers, and volunteers carry out the work that makes that possible.

Stay engaged

We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.

In the meantime, you can support this work by sharing accurate information and uplifting the role of local clerks, election workers, and volunteers in your community.

VAAC shares content across our platforms that you can easily repost and share within your networks.

Follow VAAC for updates, resources, and ways to take action:

VAAC on Facebook VAAC on Instagram VAAC on Threads

VAAC on BlueSky VAAC on LinkedIn VAAC on Twitter/X

The post What Happened in Wayne County — What’s Actually Going On appeared first on Voting Access For All.

For more than 50 years, SPLC has documented hate and violence and taken legal action against white supremacist groups. This work has played a critical role in protecting communities across the country.

Civil rights organizations do work that affects people’s daily lives. They train poll workers, run food banks, respond to discrimination, protect the right to protest, and staff domestic violence hotlines.

When these organizations are targeted, it impacts people’s ability to live, work, and participate in their communities.

Communities of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, women, workers, people with disabilities, and Arab, Muslim, and South Asian communities are already seeing protections that took generations to build challenged at multiple levels of government.

Voting Access for All Coalition (VAAC) follows the lead of civil rights organizations doing this work and supports efforts to ensure people can continue to participate fully in civic life.

Speaking out is not a crime. Intimidation is a strategy used to silence organizations and the people they serve. It will not work. The civil rights movement exists because people rely on it, and it is not going anywhere.

An attack on one is an attack on all.

Stay engaged by sharing accurate information, uplifting the work of civil rights organizations in your networks, and amplifying their voices on social media. 

VAAC shares content across our platforms that you can easily repost and share within your networks.

Follow VAAC for updates, resources, and ways to take action:

VAAC on Facebook VAAC on Instagram VAAC on Threads

VAAC on BlueSky VAAC on LinkedIn VAAC on Twitter/X

The post Attacks on the Southern Poverty Law Center Reflect Broader Threats to Civil Rights appeared first on Voting Access For All.

This free, in-person workshop will bring together community members from across Metro Detroit to build skills, share knowledge, and connect with others working to influence public policy.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn practical advocacy strategies, strengthen their understanding of how to engage with decision-makers, and build relationships with others organizing for change.

MLPP is offering this training at no cost, with space limited to 50 participants.

If you are interested in attending, you are encouraged to REGISTER in advance to reserve your spot → https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDW3-Bnx4Vabk6RD-QaOYdtUHRI2iHyfoy9F6WpzKbWTQvSw/viewform

The post Advocacy Boot Camp in Detroit (Hosted by MLPP) appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Community members are invited to create small pieces that combine written reflections and visual expression about voting rights in the United States. Participants are encouraged to reflect on what voting means to them, the stories and experiences that shape their views about democracy, and the role voting has played in their families and communities. These pieces may express personal memories, hopes for the future, or reflections on why protecting voting rights matters today.

Each piece will be approximately 5 by 7 inches and will become part of a larger installation that brings together many individual voices into a collective statement supporting voting rights.

These gatherings create space for creative expression, reflection, and community connection. Absolutely no art experience or skill is needed, and collaborations are welcome. Stop by, create a piece, and share your perspective on voting rights.

The completed pieces will be collected and displayed together as part of the installation, highlighting the many perspectives and experiences that shape our understanding of voting rights and democratic participation.

Upcoming Pop-Up Dates

Samastah Yoga – Ferndale, 22751 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220
Saturday, April 18 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Chandler Park Library | Detroit Public Library – 12800 Harper Ave, Detroit, MI 48213 Thursday, April 23 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Sherwood Forest Branch – Detroit Public Library, 7117 W Seven Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48221
Tuesday, May 19 | 5:00 – 7:30 PM

Jim’s Corner – Ferndale (9 Mile & Woodward), 22757 Woodward Ave Ste 100, Ferndale, MI 48220
Thursday, May 28 | 5:00 – 7:30 PM

Community members are welcome to stop by, contribute a piece, and be part of this collaborative expression of support for voting rights.

Additional dates and locations will be announced as the installation continues to grow, so keep an eye out for future updates.

The post Next Community Voting Rights Art Installation Pop-Up This Saturday appeared first on Voting Access For All.