-
VAAC Friday Community Meeting: Mental Health, Solitary Confinement, and Therapeutic Spaces on May 22
Today’s VAAC Friday Community Meeting will focus on mental health, solitary confinement, and advocacy efforts pushing for alternatives inside Michigan prisons as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. The conversation with Hakim Crampton will explore the proposed Therapeutic Spaces model, the impact prolonged isolation has on incarcerated people, and broader discussions around healing-centered approaches within…
-
VAAC in the News: Amplifying Every Voice on Election Day
Executive Director Angela Davenport Shares Why Voting Access for All Matters On Election Day, Voting Access for All Coalition was featured on FOX 2 Detroit, where Executive Director Angela Davenport spoke about the critical importance of civic education, outreach, and year-round engagement across Michigan communities. In the interview, Angela emphasized how VAAC works to ensure…
-
Volunteer with VAAC: Build Power, Break Barriers
Discover how you can take action every week with Voting Access for All Voting Access for All is powered by advocates and volunteers who believe every Michigander should have the freedom to vote—especially those impacted by incarceration, poverty, and systemic barriers. When you volunteer with VAAC, you’re helping to remove obstacles and strengthen democracy for…
-
Voting Rights Art Pop-Ups Continue In Ferndale
/
The community-created Voting Rights Art Installation organized by VAAC and Indivisible Metro Detroit continues to grow with additional pop-ups scheduled next week in Ferndale. Participants are invited to create personal art pieces exploring voting, democracy, barriers to participation, and civic life as part of a larger collaborative installation centered on community voice and voting rights.
-
Michigan Lawmakers Reintroduce Michigan Voting Rights Act Amid Ongoing Voting Access Debates
/
Michigan lawmakers have reintroduced the Michigan Voting Rights Act in both the House and Senate as debates around voting access, documentary proof of citizenship requirements, and federal voting rights protections continue nationwide. Supporters say the legislation would establish stronger state-level protections against voter suppression, expand language access and voter assistance protections, and create additional safeguards…
-
Local DPOC Resolutions Continue Advancing as Michigan Voting Rights Act Is Reintroduced
/
Local governments across Michigan continue advancing resolutions opposing documentary proof of citizenship requirements as organizing efforts expand into additional counties and cities statewide. At the same time, Senate Democrats have reintroduced the Michigan Voting Rights Act in the Senate. Upcoming resolution votes are expected in Canton Township and Ingham County later this month.
-
CPR’s 15th Annual Legislative Education Day Comes to Lansing on June 16
/
Citizens for Prison Reform will host its 15th Annual Legislative Education Day on June 16 at the Capitol Lawn in Lansing. The event will bring families, advocates, community members, and policymakers together for conversations on rehabilitation, family connection, visitation, oversight, financial burdens in the prison system, and conditions affecting incarcerated people and their loved ones.
-
New Report Examines Conditions and Long Sentences for Women in Michigan Prisons
/
A new report highlighted by the American Friends Service Committee examines the experiences of women serving long prison sentences in Michigan and the disproportionate harms many continue to face while incarcerated. The report explores issues including trauma, aging in prison, family separation, mental health, medical care, and barriers to release for women in Michigan prisons.
-
Federal Appeals Court Hears DOJ Push for Michigan’s Unredacted Voter Rolls
/
A federal appeals court heard arguments this week in the DOJ’s ongoing lawsuit seeking Michigan’s full, unredacted voter rolls, including sensitive personal information connected to more than 8 million registered voters. Michigan officials argue that releasing private voter data would violate state and federal law, while the federal government says the records are necessary for…
-
Next Statewide Jail Voting Workgroup on Thursday, May 21
/
VAAC’s Statewide Jail Voting Workgroup continues coordinating efforts across Michigan to expand voting access for eligible voters detained in county jails. The work includes strengthening county relationships, improving communication systems, supporting vote-by-mail access, and preparing statewide coordination efforts ahead of the upcoming election cycle. The next workgroup meeting takes place May 21.
-
All Roads Lead to the South: National Day of Action for Voting Rights
/
This weekend, voting rights organizations across the country are mobilizing for the National Day of Action: All Roads Lead to the South. Organizers are responding to new attacks on voting rights and redistricting efforts that could weaken the political power of Black and Brown communities across the South. Events are taking place on May 16…
-
New Op-Ed from VAAC’s Christopher Ford Published in Democracy Docket
/
VAAC’s Christopher Ford has a new op-ed published in Democracy Docket examining the Supreme Court’s recent voting rights decision and its broader impact on representation, political power, and democratic participation. The piece connects the ruling in Louisiana v. Callais to ongoing efforts to weaken voting rights protections and limit access to the ballot.
-
Protect Voting Access: Sign the #HandsOffMIVote Open Letter
/
The #HandsOffMIVote Open Letter continues calling on Michigan voters to oppose documentary proof of citizenship requirements and other proposals that could create new barriers for eligible voters. The letter also expresses support for election workers and accessible elections as statewide and national debates around voting access, voter eligibility, and election administration continue.
-
Governor Candidate Forum in Detroit Will Focus on Community Safety and Democracy
/
VAAC is proud to support the first-ever non-partisan Governor Candidate Forum hosted by End Gun Violence Michigan on May 16 in Detroit. The forum will bring Michigan gubernatorial candidates together to answer questions on public safety, violence prevention, democracy, and community issues, followed by a community organization fair featuring advocacy groups from across the state.
-
Community Events In Detroit and Ypsilanti This Week
/
VAAC will be participating in community events throughout May, including a Detroit Warrant Clinic this Saturday, May 16th, and A Brighter Way’s annual Community BBQ in Ypsilanti today, Friday, May 15th. Join us at upcoming events focused on support, access, and community connection across Southeast Michigan.
EN 
ES