Michigan
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Michigan Leads the Way in Election Integrity, But New Protections Are Urgently Needed
Michigan’s Strong Election Legacy
Michigan has long been a model for secure and accessible elections, with systems that work to ensure every voice is heard.
Expanded Election-Related Rights in Michigan
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2018’s Prop 3: A Model for Election Integrity
In 2018, 67% of Michigan voters approved Prop 3, embedding robust election integrity measures into the state constitution. These measures include:
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Automatic Voter Registration: Individuals applying for or updating a driver’s license or state ID are automatically registered to vote unless they opt out.
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Same-Day Registration: Jurisdictions must allow same-day voter registration with proof of residency during the two weeks before an election, including on Election Day.
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No-Excuse Absentee Voting: Voters can request an absentee ballot without needing to provide a reason.
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Straight-Ticket Voting: Voters have the option to cast a straight-ticket vote for all candidates of a specific political party in partisan general elections.
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Transparent Election Audits: Election officials must conduct public audits of election results, and certifications must be based on official vote counts.
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Discretion to City and Township Clerks: Discretion for clerks to increase evening and weekend hours for early voting and voter registration, open additional absentee voting locations, create a permanent absentee voter list, and set up drop boxes.
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Other recent amendments to the Michigan Constitution and new statutory provisions have introduced significant election-related rights and requirements, enhancing voter access and election integrity. These include:
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Nine-Day Early Voting Period: Voters can now cast their ballots in person at designated locations during an expanded nine-day early voting period.
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Counting Military and Overseas Ballots: Ballots postmarked by Election Day must be counted, ensuring military and overseas voters have their voices heard.
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State-Funded Absentee Ballot Support: The state is required to provide prepaid postage for absentee ballots and establish a tracking system for voters to monitor their ballots.
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Signature Correction Rights: If a local clerk finds a voter’s signature missing or mismatched on an absentee ballot application or return envelope, the voter has the right to immediate notification and a fair opportunity to resolve the issue.
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Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes: All jurisdictions must provide secure drop boxes for voters to submit absentee ballot applications and completed ballots, with monitoring where applicable.
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These changes solidify Michigan's commitment to fair, accessible, and transparent elections, empowering voters while ensuring secure and efficient processes.
New Challenges to Election Integrity
Threats to Prop 3
Despite Michigan’s success, recent legislative efforts like "Secure MI Vote" aim to weaken these protections. Proposed restrictions include:
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Mandatory ID requirements for in-person voting
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Limiting external election funding
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Banning the mailing of absentee ballot applications to all voters
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These changes could close 20% of polling locations and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as elderly and rural voters. Though this effort failed, similar efforts could be coming down the pipeline in the coming years, which is why having strong protections in place is so important to protect the right to vote in Michigan.
The Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA)
In September of 2024, the Michigan Senate Democratic Majority passed legislation to establish the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA). In December of 2024, a House Committee sent the Act to the full House to be voted on. Although the bill is now heading to the Michigan House for a vote, time is running short. Any legislation that fails to pass within the next few weeks will have to restart the entire process during the next legislative session, when Republicans will hold control of the House.
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The MVRA builds upon the federal Voting Rights Act, introducing additional protections for Michigan voters and fulfilling the 15th Amendment's promise that no citizen shall be denied the right to vote based on race. Senate Bills 401, 402, 403, and 404 together create the MVRA.
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The MVRA aims to bolster voting rights in Michigan through four key measures:
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Protect against voter denial, dilution, and suppression while offering remedies for violations.
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Establish a nonpartisan, transparent voter database and a centralized institute to provide research, training, and accessible information on voting systems and election administration.
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Expand language accessibility by requiring more jurisdictions to provide election materials in languages other than English, ensuring equal opportunities for language minority groups to participate in the voting process.
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Strengthen and clarify protections for voters with disabilities or those needing assistance to vote, ensuring equal access to the ballot.
MVRA Protects Election Integrity
The 2013 Shelby County v. Holder Supreme Court decision gutted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, leading to a surge in restrictive voting laws across the country. Since then, nearly 100 laws limiting voting access have been enacted, including in nearby states like Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa.
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While Michigan’s current system remains strong, the MVRA is essential to safeguard the progress made under Prop 3 and protect against future efforts to compromise our fair and accessible elections.
Michigan Voters Are Fighting Back
Michiganders have consistently shown their commitment to voting access. Initiatives like “Promote the Vote” have demonstrated widespread support for measures like early voting, ballot drop boxes, and protections against voter intimidation.
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