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Michigan Voices: Ending Prison Gerrymandering
VAAC Executive Director Angela Davenport calls for fair representation in Michigan Read Full Article Here Prison gerrymandering distorts democracy. It occurs when incarcerated people are counted as residents of the prisons where they are held rather than their home communities during redistricting. The result is an artificial imbalance: rural districts where prisons are located gain…
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Research Opportunity
Have you experienced incarceration and worked for change in your community? Calling Black Women in Detroit and Lansing! We would love to hear your story. There is a new PhD project led by a researcher from Detroit, focusing on the political lives of Black women after incarceration. This project involves interviewing Black women who have…
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Know Before You Sign – Protect Our Communities From Harmful Petitions
Learn what’s behind the ballot initiatives circulating in Michigan Ballot petitions are being passed around across Michigan — some may sound harmless, but they could create serious new barriers to voting and limit the rights of our neighbors. Before signing any petition, it’s critical to know: What it actually proposes (beyond the headline) Who is…
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Prison Gerrymandering in Michigan: Distorting Democracy
How counting incarcerated people in prison districts shifts political power In Michigan, thousands of incarcerated people are counted in the population of the communities where they’re imprisoned—not where they actually live and will return after release. This practice, called prison gerrymandering, gives extra political clout to districts that host prisons while reducing representation for the…
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Safety Reimagined: A Community Vision for Justice & Civic Power
Virtual community conversation with Senator Stephanie Chang On Tuesday, August 12 at 6:00 PM (EST), join Voting Access for All Coalition, the Vera Institute, Mothering Justice, and the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities for an urgent and inspiring discussion: Safety Reimagined: A Community Vision for Justice & Civic Power. We’re honored to welcome Michigan State…
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Volunteer with VAAC: Help Build a More Just Democracy
From voter registration to outreach and education — there’s a place for you in this movement Voting Access for All Coalition is growing our team of committed volunteers working to remove barriers to the ballot and make democracy real for everyone — especially people impacted by incarceration, poverty, or systemic disenfranchisement. Whether you’re seasoned in…
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Share Your Thoughts — Get a $20 Gift Card
Take a quick survey to shape Michigan’s voting future by August 1 At VAAC, we believe in a democracy where every voice counts. That’s why we’re once again uplifting Promote the Vote MI and their statewide survey, now live through August 1, 2025. Your input can help remove voting barriers and guide the next wave…
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Pause. Read. Decide. Don’t Sign Away Your Rights!
What’s circulating right now is dangerous — here’s what you need to know A petition backed by “Americans for Citizen Voting” is now circulating in Michigan — and it’s not what it seems. While it claims to protect elections, it would actually strip rights from eligible voters and rewrite voter-approved protections already enshrined in our…
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Coming Up Next Friday: How Technology Is Shaping Democracy
Join the July 25 VAAC Community Meeting on AI, Algorithms & Access Every other Friday, VAAC Friday Community Meetings bring together directly impacted people, organizers, and advocates from across Michigan to share updates, build community, and take action. Next Friday, July 25, we’re diving into a powerful conversation on how technology is shaping democracy —…
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Why the Right to Sue for Voting Rights Is at Risk, and Why Michigan Should Care
What’s Happening?A recent ruling by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals could block private citizens and organizations from suing under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a key legal tool that stops racial discrimination in voting. Why It MattersSection 2 has historically been used to challenge gerrymandered maps, at-large elections that dilute minority voting power, and…