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Oakland County Becomes Fifth Michigan County to Oppose Documentary Proof of Citizenship Ballot Initiative
On Thursday, July 16, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted 11-6 to pass Resolution #2026-6651, opposing a proposed Michigan constitutional amendment that would require eligible voters to provide additional documents, such as a passport or certified birth certificate, to register to vote and would eliminate the current option to register using a driver’s license.…
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What Documentary Proof of Citizenship Requirements Could Cost Michigan Voters
The federal SAVE America Act passed the U.S. House in February 2026 and remains pending in the Senate. It is not currently law. If enacted, it would require voters to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport, naturalization certificate, or certain combinations of a birth certificate and government-issued identification, when registering to…
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Election Assistance Commission Left Without Commissioners: What Michigan Voters Should Know
On July 9, President Donald Trump removed Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, the two Democratic members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, or EAC. The two commissioners were fired by email. Christy McCormick, the remaining Republican commissioner, resigned. A fourth seat was already vacant, leaving the commission without any commissioners. The EAC supports state and…
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Next VAAC Friday Community Meeting | Disability Pride Month: Building a Democracy That Includes Everyone on July 17
Disability Pride Month is a time to recognize the history, leadership, and experiences of people with disabilities. It is also a reminder that disability rights, voting rights, and civil rights are connected. Voting access means more than being legally eligible to vote. It also means voters can get the information, assistance, accommodations, and accessible options…
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Next Statewide Jail Voting Workgroup on Thursday, July 16
VAAC’s Statewide Jail Voting Workgroup continues building a coordinated effort to protect and expand voting access for eligible voters detained in Michigan county jails. In Michigan, many people in jail are legally eligible to vote, but access often depends on systems that are inconsistent, difficult to navigate, or unavailable altogether. This workgroup brings together organizations,…
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Vote from Home in the August 4 Primary: July 14 Is the Recommended Deadline to Request Your Absentee Ballot
Want to vote from home in Michigan’s August 4 Primary Election? If you are not already on the Permanent Mail Ballot List, coalition partners recommend requesting your absentee ballot online or submitting a paper application by July 14. This gives you time to receive your ballot, complete it, and return it to your city or…
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How to Spoil Your Absentee Ballot and Vote a New One in Michigan
Some candidates may end their campaigns after absentee ballots have already been mailed and after some voters have returned their ballots. Michigan voters who want to change their selection may have options to cancel their original absentee ballot and vote a new one before the August 4 Primary Election. In this situation, “spoil” means that…
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DOJ Election Monitors Coming to Three Michigan Cities: What Voters Should Know
The U.S. Department of Justice has confirmed that it plans to send federal election monitors to Detroit, East Lansing, and Lansing during Michigan’s August 4 Primary Election. Federal election monitors are not unusual. The Department of Justice regularly sends staff to observe elections in Michigan and other states, often to monitor compliance with federal voting…
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Independence Day and the Fight for the Vote
Independence Day commemorates the country’s Declaration of Independence and its promise of self-government. Honoring that promise also requires us to remember those who were originally denied it and the generations-long fight for access to the ballot. In 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered his famous speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” calling on…
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August 4 Primary Election: Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Information
Michigan’s August 4 Primary Election is almost one month away. Before voting, make sure your voter registration is up to date at the address where you currently live. To vote in Michigan, you must be registered. If you have moved, changed your name, or are unsure whether your registration is current, check now so you…