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Making An Impact in an Election Year with VAAC & MI-CEMI
The 2026 elections will shape the policies, budgets, and systems that determine whether mass incarceration continues to expand or whether our communities finally see meaningful change. For communities most impacted by incarceration, disengagement is not an option. Decisions made in this cycle will affect sentencing laws, parole and probation practices, jail and prison conditions, voting…
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Virtual Day of Action for Documentary Proof Of Citizenship (DPOC) Community Storytelling
As our nonpartisan, pro-democracy coalition continues to organize to raise awareness about the red tape voter suppression ballot proposal, we want to invite individuals and organizations to participate in a virtual day of action on Thursday, February 19th. Throughout the last several months, nonpartisan, pro-democracy organizations have been hosting “Know Before You Sign” and “Decline…
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Vital Documents Bills Move Forward in the Legislature
VAAC is closely tracking a package of Michigan House bills focused on access to vital identification documents for people leaving prison. For communities impacted by incarceration, lack of ID is often one of the first and most immediate barriers people face upon release. Without a driver license or state ID, it can be difficult or…
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Reentry Starts With ID: Join Call With Us on January 27
People returning home from federal prison face many barriers, but one obstacle blocks almost everything else: the lack of valid identification. Without an ID, it can be nearly impossible to secure housing, find employment, access health care or public benefits, or fully participate in our democracy. Identification is a foundational requirement for rebuilding stability and…
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VAAC Community Meetings – January 30
Defending Democracy and the Road to the 2026 Midterms Our first Friday community meeting of 2026 is happening next week, and we’re ready to get moving. Join VAAC on Friday, January 30 at 12:30 PM EST as we come together to reflect on the moment we’re in, talk through our 2026 priorities, and discuss how…
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Saturday 1/24 Story Share Event POSTPONED Due to Extreme Weather Conditions
Dear Community, Thank you so much for your support in joining our upcoming community story share event on voting access and Documentary Proof of Citizenship. Due to the extreme weather conditions expected this weekend, we felt it was important to prioritize the well being of our community and have made the decision to reschedule the story…
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Michigan Party Endorsement and Nominating Conventions in 2026
Decisions about who appears on the 2026 ballot in Michigan are already taking shape. Through endorsement and nominating conventions, Michigan’s political parties are selecting candidates for statewide and federal offices. These gatherings are key steps in shaping the ballot for the August primary and the November general election. In Michigan, political parties hold state conventions…
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VAAC Friday Meeting – January 30
Join us on Friday, January 30 at 12:30 PM for our first VAAC Friday meeting of 2026. 2026 is a critical year for our democracy and our communities. Across Michigan and the country, we are facing ongoing threats to voting access, civil rights, and policies that impact people most affected by the criminal legal system.…
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Tell Your Story. Protect Your Vote.
Across Michigan, lawmakers are pushing documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) requirements that could block eligible voters from accessing the ballot. On Saturday, January 24, VAAC and our partners are hosting a community storytelling workshop at Pages Bookshop, a Black-owned independent bookstore in Detroit. This event is an opportunity to speak out against these proposals and…
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Michigan State Senate District 35 Special Primary Election
Voters in Michigan’s 35th State Senate District will participate in a special primary election on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to choose nominees for the seat representing parts of Midland, Bay City, and Saginaw. Key dates to register and vote:• Deadline to register online or by mail: Monday, January 19, 2026• In-person registration at your local…