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Local Governments Continue Advancing Resolutions Opposing Documentary Proof of Citizenship Proposal
Local governments across Michigan are continuing to advance resolutions opposing a Michigan version of the SAVE Act, the proposed ballot initiative that would amend the Michigan Constitution to require documentary proof of citizenship to register and vote. This week brought several developments related to the proposal. Americans for Citizen Voting held a press conference announcing…
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Community Voting Rights Art Installation Pop-Ups
Voting Access for All Coalition (VAAC), in partnership with Indivisible Metro Detroit, is hosting a series of community pop-ups where people can contribute to a collaborative Voting Rights Art Installation. Community members are invited to create small pieces that combine written reflections and visual expression about voting rights in the United States. Participants are encouraged…
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VAAC Statewide Jail Voting Work Group Kicks Off in Michigan
Earlier this week, Voting Access for All Coalition (VAAC) convened the first meeting of a Statewide Jail Voting Work Group, bringing together advocates, community organizations, election officials, and volunteers from across Michigan. In Michigan, individuals who are in jail or prison awaiting trial or arraignment and not serving a sentence remain eligible to vote. However,…
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Three Efforts Moving to Require Proof of Citizenship for Voting
Across the country and here in Michigan, several efforts are advancing that would require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship in order to register to vote, and in some cases could require voters to re-register using those documents. For many people, these records can be difficult to locate, time-consuming to obtain, or costly to…
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Community Event Spotlight: “Where’s the Money?” Financial Literacy Workshop
Voting Access for All Coalition (VAAC) is proud to highlight the work of our team member, Brandi Mitchell, Operations & Field Outreach Director, who will be participating in an upcoming financial literacy workshop hosted by Team Fortitude titled “Where’s the Money?” Financial literacy is an important part of building long-term stability and opportunity in our…
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VAAC Friday Meeting: Women Leading the Fight for Housing Justice – Know Your Rights, A Conversation on Tenant Protections & Housing Policy
This Women’s History Month, come to our next VAAC Friday Community Meeting, co-hosted by the Wisdom Institute on March 13 at 12:30 PM for a conversation about housing instability, tenant rights, and the policies shaping housing access across Michigan. Across Michigan and especially in Detroit, too many families are facing eviction threats, rising housing costs,…
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Local Governments Continue Opposing Documentary Proof of Citizenship Proposal
Local governments across Michigan continue to take action in response to the proposed ballot initiative that would amend the Michigan Constitution to require documentary proof of citizenship to register and vote. So far, three jurisdictions have passed resolutions opposing the proposal: Detroit City CouncilWashtenaw County Board of CommissionersYpsilanti City Council Each resolution affirms support for…
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Detroit Hosts Michigan Day of Empathy on March 7
Michigan Day of Empathy will take place Saturday, March 7 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Detroit. The event is hosted by Silent Cry Inc. and Dream.org and brings together community leaders, advocates, and organizers for a powerful recognition of the criminal legal system’s impact on our…
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Supporting Michigan’s Election Officials and Election Workers – Virtual Day of Action Today!
As part of our participation in the Michigan Election Protection Program, Voting Access for All Coalition (VAAC) is joining partners across the state to highlight the work of Michigan’s election officials and election workers. Several years ago, an organization called Michigan Fair Elections filed a Freedom of Information Act request for Detroit’s 2020 absentee ballots,…
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Court Decisions Reinforce the Security of Michigan’s Elections
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a lawsuit challenging how Michigan removes deceased voters from the state’s voter file, leaving lower court rulings in place that dismissed the claims. The lawsuit alleged that Michigan was failing to properly remove deceased voters from the rolls. Both the federal district court and the U.S.…