Detroit, Washtenaw County, and Ypsilanti have now passed resolutions opposing the proposed ballot initiative that would amend the Michigan Constitution to require documentary proof of citizenship to register and vote.
On February 17, the Detroit City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the proposal, which would require voters to provide documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or other records when registering to vote, eliminating the current option to register using a driver’s license. If approved, it would also require additional documentation when casting a ballot, whether in person or by absentee. The proposal mirrors federal efforts, including the SAVE Act, that would impose similar documentary proof of citizenship requirements nationwide.
On that same day, the Ypsilanti City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the proposal, citing concerns about the impact on married women, people experiencing homelessness, low-income voters, transgender voters, and others who may face difficulty accessing required documents.
In January, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution opposing ballot proposals that would impose documentary proof of citizenship requirements and create barriers to voting. The Board affirmed its support for Michigan’s existing election laws, noting that state and federal law already prohibit noncitizens from voting and that Michigan’s election system has received national recognition for integrity and accessibility.
Public support in Washtenaw County was overwhelming, with dozens of residents providing in-person and written testimony in favor of the resolution.
For VAAC, this issue is not abstract. During public comment in Detroit, Executive Director Angela Davenport shared the story of an older Detroit woman born in the South at a time when many Black births were never officially recorded. Despite multiple attempts, she has been unable to obtain a certified birth certificate. Under the proposed requirements, she could lose her ability to vote, not because she is ineligible, but because official records were never properly created.
As Angela stated before Council, these proposals are being framed as security measures, but in practice they create barriers. VAAC’s work brings voter education and civic access directly into shelters, reentry spaces, and community settings where access has long been limited or denied. Documentary proof of citizenship requirements would disproportionately affect the very communities we serve.
According to nonpartisan research cited in the resolutions, nearly 700,000 Michiganders do not possess or cannot easily access the documents that would be required under the proposed ballot measure. Obtaining a passport or certified birth certificate can involve significant cost and time. For many residents navigating tight budgets, limited mobility, housing instability, or inflexible work schedules, these requirements could create additional barriers to registering or casting a ballot.
VAAC is part of a broad statewide coalition working to educate voters about the proposal and encourage local governments to affirm their commitment to secure, fair, and accessible elections. Coalition partners include:
All Voting Is Local Michigan, ACLU Michigan, Voters Not Politicians, Common Cause Michigan, Progress Michigan, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Vote Riders, Indivisible Metro Detroit, Michigan United Action, Michigan Voices, League of Women Voters of Michigan, Equality Michigan, MI Poder, 25 Demos, Fair Elections, Detroit Disability Power, Disability Action, Civic Empowerment Coalition, Clean Water Action, Michigan Country, Rising Voices, The Detroit Change Initiative, Working Families Power, APIA Vote Michigan, National Network for Arab American Communities, Miigwich Inc, National Council of Jewish Women, Jews for a Secular Democracy, Detroit Jews for Justice, Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network, Oakland Forward, and Citizen Detroit.
Work is already underway in additional counties and cities, including Wayne, Oakland, Ingham, Genesee, and Kalamazoo.
Take Action
Local leadership is one part of the response. Community voices are another.
You can help:
• Record and share a video testimonial about how documentary proof of citizenship requirements could affect you or your community using the hashtag #HandsOffMIVote
• Use the SoSha recording tool to create and amplify video testimonials (there’s even a helpful guide to show you how to use it!)
• Share and amplify coalition partners’ social media content within your networks
• Submit an op-ed or letter to the editor in your local publication
These stories and actions help ground the conversation in real experiences and keep voting access in the hands of Michigan communities.
We will continue sharing updates as this ballot proposal moves forward.
The post Local Governments Oppose Documentary Proof of Citizenship Ballot Proposal appeared first on Voting Access For All.