Across Michigan, people are asking the same question: what exactly is on the ballot in 2026? With multiple initiatives circulating, confusing ballot language, and coordinated misinformation campaigns, community organizations and volunteers want clear, accurate information they can confidently bring back to their teams. This Train-the-Trainer event is designed to do exactly that.

Hosted by ABC for Justice with support from VAAC and partner organizations, this session will walk through the major ballot initiatives currently circulating, including: voter ID policy, citizenship requirements for voting, MiKids, Ranked Choice Voting, campaign finance measures, and the Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers referendum. Participants will leave with tools, talking points, and shared strategies for helping people understand what they are signing and why it matters.

Breaking down silos and building power is how we win long-term. This event creates a shared foundation of knowledge so every organizer, volunteer, and directly impacted leader can push accurate information into their communities.

If you are interested in presenting on one of the initiatives, review Michigan’s ballot initiatives on Ballotpedia here.

The post Get Ready for 2026: Join the Train-the-Trainer on Michigan’s Ballot Initiatives appeared first on Voting Access For All.

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 that every person—regardless of background, housing status, disability, or past involvement with the legal system—knows their rights and can make their voice heard at the ballot box. Her message was clear: voting is power, and that power belongs to everyone.

The segment also honored the spirit and legacy of VAAC’s late founder, Daniel Jones, whose passion for empowering overlooked communities continues to guide our mission today.

Call to Action:
Learn more about VAAC’s work statewide →

The post VAAC in the News: Amplifying Every Voice on Election Day appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Michigan’s newly signed $81 billion state budget sets the stage for how public dollars will impact our daily lives — from education and housing to healthcare, reentry, and public safety. These choices reflect the values and priorities of our leaders, and their effects ripple across every community. Read the full press release below.

This week’s VAAC Friday Community Meeting will unpack what’s inside the budget, who it benefits, and what gaps remain. Guest presenters Tony Gant, Policy Consultant and Advocate for Justice-Impacted Communities, and Chuck Warpehoski, Program Director for the Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration (MI-CEMI), will guide us through what this means for equity, opportunity, and community wellbeing in the year ahead.

Register for the VAAC Friday Meeting →
Friday, Oct. 10 | 12:30–1:30 PM EST | Virtual on Zoom

Together, we’ll explore how budget decisions influence our collective future — and how civic engagement ensures those in power remain accountable to the people they serve.

MI-CEMI Budget Press Release

Advocates give the budget deal mixed reviews for investing in prevention, rehabilitation, and reentry for folks impacted by the criminal legal system

MICHIGAN – Groups working to make Michigan safer and more just for everyone gave the recent budget mixed reviews for promoting public safety through violence prevention, rehabilitation, and reentry. 

Cuts to Community-Based and Peer-Led Reentry Slammed

“Peer-led reentry is one of the most promising innovations we’ve seen in public safety, and the legislature was foolish not to fund it directly,” said Chuck Warpehoski, Project Director for Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration. “Hard data and personal accounts show the profound difference it makes when people coming home from prison have the support of a peer navigator who has successfully reentered society and can help them walk that same road home. Recidivism goes down, job success goes up, and people have a chance to give back to their community with peer-led reentry, and we hope that state officials will find other ways to fund this life-saving work.”

Groups Celebrate Increases in Community Violence Intervention Funding

“We applaud the legislature for continuing to invest in proven strategies that prevent violence and incarceration like Community Violence Intervention. Our elected leaders are providing support for neighborhood-based solutions across the state that are proven to save lives,” said Dr. Kenlana Ferguson, executive director, Michigan Transformation Collective. “Additional funds will deepen school-community-based partnerships that reduce and prevent violence.” 

The budget includes a total of $15 million for violence prevention across the school aid, DHHS, and public safety revenue sharing budgets.

Rehabilitation Gets a Mixed Review

“We are grateful the legislature walked back from threatened cuts to prison food,” said Michael Taylor, program coordinator at Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration. “I know from experience that you can’t focus on your rehabilitation when you’re hangry. In fact, the reverse is true. When people can’t get enough to eat at chow they are often forced to turn to illicit activities to meet their nutritional needs–which is counterproductive and dangerous for everyone.” 

“One shining spot in this budget is the requirement that the Michigan Department of Corrections change its strip search protocol,” said Natalie Holbrook-Combs of the American Friends Service Committee Michigan Criminal Justice Program. “Strip searches are traumatic for everyone. Sixty to ninety percent of incarcerated women are survivors of sexual violence and physical abuse. The current practice of strip-searching sexual assault survivors after every visit with loved ones, after attorney visits, after meeting with the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman, after work shifts within the prison is unnecessary and cruel. We only hope that the Department of Corrections includes incarcerated people, mental health professionals, and sexual assault survivor input as they fix this callous policy.”

Advocates Thankful for Investing in Sentencing Commission

John Cooper, Executive Director of Safe & Just Michigan, praised the Legislature’s decision to appropriate $750,000 for the new Michigan Sentencing Commission, which was signed into law by Governor Whitmer earlier this year: “Michigan has not had a Sentencing Commission since its Sentencing Guidelines were enacted in 1998.  The Michigan Sentencing Commission will provide the data, research, and policy expertise the Legislature needs for the oversight and continuous improvement of Michigan’s sentencing system.  We believe the Commission can play a key role in making Michigan safer and more just, and in reducing corrections costs for taxpayers.  This funding will allow the Commission to hire staff and begin building toward these goals.”

The post Breaking Down Michigan’s $81B Budget: What It Means for Our Communities appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Join us TODAY, Friday, September 12th at 12:30 PM EST for VAAC’s Friday Community Meeting — a welcoming space where directly impacted people, organizers, and allies learn, strategize, and act together. This week, we’ll unpack Michigan’s proposed state budget and what it means for our communities.

What we’ll cover:

• How the budget works: Who decides, what’s funded, and the timeline
• Impacts on daily life: housing, reentry, voting access, education, and healthcare
• Action paths: practical ways to raise your voice and move decision-makers

Featured voices:

Chuck Warpehoski, Program Director at MI-CEMI

Tony Gant, Policy Consultant & Advocate for Justice-Impacted Communities

Register Here

Save the Date — Next Friday, Sept 19

Don’t miss our next VAAC Friday Community Meeting featuring Ken Nixon, Chairman of the Organization of Exonerees, on life after exoneration. Together we’ll explore the gaps in support, the fight for compensation, and how exonerees are leading justice reform efforts.

Join us and hear from:

Ken Nixon, Chairman of the Organization of Exonerees

Learn More

The post Take Action Together — VAAC Friday Community Meeting TODAY appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Earlier this month, Michiganders made their voices heard at the ballot box. Now, VAAC continues our mission of lifting up community power and deepening civic knowledge. This month, we’re hosting two critical Friday community meetings — spaces where directly impacted people, organizers, and advocates come together to learn, strategize, and act.

On Friday, September 12, join us for an in-depth look at Michigan’s proposed state budget with Tony Gant (Policy Consultant & Advocate for Justice-Impacted Communities) and Chuck Warpehoski (Program Director at MI-CEMI). We’ll examine what the Governor’s, House, and Senate proposals fund, who makes these decisions, and how the budget impacts housing, reentry, voting access, education, and healthcare.

Then on Friday, September 19, we welcome Ken Nixon, Chairman of the Organization of Exonerees, for a conversation on life after exoneration — highlighting gaps in support, the fight for compensation, and how exonerees are leading justice reform efforts.

Both meetings are open to the community. Let’s build shared understanding and collective action for a more just Michigan.

Would you like to receive agendas for our meetings? Fill in your email address below so we can keep you up to date.

Join VAAC Fridays on Zoom »

The post Two September Community Meetings to Build Knowledge and Power appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Voting Access for All Coalition (VAAC) is proud to be part of powerful virtual gatherings this week focused on advocacy, civic engagement, and organizing for justice. From our own coalition meeting to statewide conversations about preventing violence and building political power, we invite you to tap in, speak up, and learn with us.

Featured VAAC Event

Friday, May 23 | 12:30–1:30 PM
VAAC Community Meeting (Virtual)
All are welcome! Our biweekly community meetings are a space to connect, share updates, and build collective strategy.
More info →

More Community Events This Week

Wednesday, May 28 | 12:00–1:30 PM
Michigan Statewide Violence and Incarceration Prevention Learning Community (Virtual – hosted by MI-CEMI)
Join this dynamic session to explore data, strategy, and community-led responses to prevent violence and reduce incarceration in Michigan.
More info →

Wednesday, May 28 | 2:00 PM
All 2025 Politics is Local Webinar (Virtual – hosted by Nonprofit VOTE)
Dive into the importance of local elections in 2025 and how we can mobilize our communities to vote all the way down the ballot.
More info →

The post What’s Happening This Week (May 23–30): VAAC Meetings & More appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Our next VAAC Community Meeting is happening today, Friday, April 18 from 12:30–1:30 PM ET—and you’re invited.

We’re excited to welcome Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit for an open conversation on:

• Restorative and transformative justice
• Updates on criminal and juvenile legal reform
• The role of civic engagement in driving systemic change

Whether you’re directly impacted or a community ally, this is a space for connection, learning, and building power together.

Join us on Zoom: bit.ly/VAACFridays
Friday, April 18
12:30–1:30 PM ET
Virtual – open to all

Let’s keep building a more just and inclusive Michigan—see you soon.

Click here to join the Zoom room now

The post Happening Today: Community Conversation with Prosecutor Eli Savit appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Our special guest this month is Eli Savit, Washtenaw County Prosecutor.

He’ll join us for a conversation on:

• Restorative and transformative justice
• Criminal and juvenile legal reform updates
• How everyday people are pushing for bold, systemic change through civic engagement

Everyone is welcome. Whether you’re directly impacted or an ally in the work, this is a space to learn, connect, and grow our collective power.

Join us on Zoom at bit.ly/VAACFridays

Friday, April 18
12:30–1:30 PM ET
Virtual – open to all

Let’s build a more just Michigan—together.

The post You’re Invited: VAAC Community Meeting with Prosecutor Eli Savit appeared first on Voting Access For All.

The MI-CEMI Bill Tracker is a powerful tool for staying up to date on Michigan Department of Corrections news, proposed state policy, and related news. VAAC encourages you to subscribe and stay informed.

Here’s a recent update from this week’s report:

New updates are released every Monday—subscribe to stay in the loop!

The post MI-CEMI Bill Tracker Reports: Auditor General Finds Security Lapses at MDOC appeared first on Voting Access For All.

Now, we have an opportunity to address the challenges of excessive sentencing through a conservative and pragmatic solution: the Second Look Sentencing Act. This proposed legislation, approved by the House Criminal Justice Committee last year, would allow individuals who have served at least 20 years to petition their original court for a sentence reduction.

This policy offers a chance for those who have shown growth and rehabilitation to seek a second chance, reducing the financial and social burdens of long-term incarceration.

For a deeper perspective on the urgency of passing the Second Look Sentencing Act, read this compelling op-ed in the Detroit Free Press.

Stay informed and support this critical legislation by connecting with the American Friends Service Committee.

Members of the Second Look Coalition pictured in Lansing Michigan in 2024, photo courtesy of MI-CEMI.

The post April is Second Chance Month: Support the Second Look Sentencing Act appeared first on Voting Access For All.