Voting Rights & Ballot Access

Voting is the foundation of democracy, but that foundation is under constant threat. Across the country—and right here in Michigan—voter suppression efforts are re-emerging under the guise of “election security.” From unnecessary ID laws to restrictions on mail-in voting, these tactics are designed to create barriers, especially for young voters, low-income communities, and people of color. This page gives you direct ways to fight back and protect access to the ballot for all.

• Please Oppose the SAVE Act and Protect Voting Access

  Published: April 26, 2025

  Issue: The SAVE Act is a federal proposal that would require documentary proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.
  What’s at Risk: Millions of eligible voters could be disenfranchised simply because they lack access to documents like passports or birth certificates.
  Action: Urge Congress to oppose the SAVE Act and any federal effort that restricts voter access under the false premise of election security.
  

  Who to Send This Letter To: Your U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative

• Support the Michigan Voting Rights Act

  Published: April 26, 2025

  Issue: Michigan lacks strong state-level protections against voter discrimination.
  What’s at Risk: Communities of color, multilingual voters, and voters with disabilities face systemic barriers at the polls.
  Action: Urge your state legislators to pass the Michigan Voting Rights Act and defend equitable ballot access.
  

  Who to Send This Letter To: Your Michigan State Representative and Michigan State Senator

• Strengthen Ballot Access Before 2026

  Published: May 24, 2025

  Issue: Anti-voter petition efforts are being pushed to appear on Michigan’s 2026 ballot, including initiatives that would require citizenship proof from registered voters.
  What’s at Risk: Michigan voters could lose the protections they passed in 2018 and 2022, undermining the freedom to vote.
  Action: Demand that Michigan’s elected officials publicly oppose these petitions and strengthen ballot access through proactive legislation.
  

  Who to Send This Letter To: Your Michigan State Representative, Michigan State Senator, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson

• Oppose the “Americans for Citizen Voting” Petition Effort

  Published: June 1, 2025

  Issue:
  A new ballot initiative by the group Americans for Citizen Voting would change Michigan’s Constitution to require documentary proof of citizenship to vote, a solution in search of a problem that already does not exist.

  What’s at Risk:
  If passed, this proposal could disenfranchise eligible voters who may not have easy access to documents like birth certificates or passports, particularly affecting naturalized citizens, low-income communities, and women who’ve changed their names due to marriage.

  Action:
  Spread the word not to sign the petition and contact your local election officials to voice your opposition. This initiative would create unnecessary barriers to the ballot box and undermine recent efforts to expand voter access in Michigan.

  Who to Send This Letter To:
  Michigan Secretary of State
  Your Local Election Officials

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Mail These Letters To: (Ferndale, MI)

U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D – Junior Senator)
The Honorable Elissa Slotkin
825B Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D – Senior Senator)
The Honorable Gary Peters
724 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (MI-11)
The Honorable Haley Stevens
2411 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

State Representative Helena Scott (HD-8)
The Honorable Helena Scott
Michigan House of Representatives
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514

State Senator Mallory McMorrow (SD-8)
The Honorable Mallory McMorrow
Michigan Senate
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
The Honorable Jocelyn Benson
430 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48918

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