Category: In The News
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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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Michigan’s August 5 Primary: Key Results Across the State
Detroit and beyond — voters shape local leadership for the years ahead On August 5, Michigan voters took to the polls to decide critical municipal races and local ballot measures across the state. From Detroit to New Baltimore, communities selected candidates who will advance to the November general election — and set the tone for…
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VAAC Friday Community Meeting
Join us this Friday, August 15, for an important VAAC Community Meeting featuring Kathryn Ellywicz from HPCAN (Historic Preservation Citizens Action Network). She’ll walk us through the petitions currently circulating — including: What they really propose Who’s sponsoring and funding them How they could create new barriers for our communities This is a chance to…
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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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What You Need to Know Before the August 5 Primary
Voter registration deadlines, ballot drop guidance, and threats to your rights With the August 5 primary election just weeks away, now’s the time to make a plan, get informed, and take action to protect your vote. Here’s everything you need to know — including key deadlines, disinformation risks, and how you can fight back. Upcoming…
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ALERT: Voter Suppression Petition Approved to Circulate in Michigan
New initiative threatens voting rights for thousands — here’s what you need to know On June 27, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers approved the 100-word summary for a constitutional amendment proposed by Americans for Citizen Voting — also promoted under the name Prove It, Michigan. This approval means circulators can now start collecting signatures…
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Share Your Thoughts on Elections — Get a $20 Gift Card
Take a short survey to shape Michigan’s voting future Click here for survey At VAAC, we know that hearing directly from Michigan voters is vital to building a more accessible and equitable democracy. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Promote the Vote MI, a leading pro‑voter coalition working to advance voting rights in our…
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Tell Congress: Protect Medicaid. No Cuts. No Barriers.
Urge your U.S. Representative to vote NO on a bill that slashes health care and increases poverty The shock of this bill is hard to overstate. These leaders just voted to spend trillions of dollars to increase poverty and hunger, to strip away health coverage, and to create the biggest redistribution of wealth from poor…
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Flip the Script: Pontiac Comes Together to Build Power at the Ballot Box
A community-led night of connection, conversation, and civic action On June 9th, justice-impacted leaders, neighbors, and change-makers gathered in Pontiac to Flip the Script on civic engagement. From community members and candidates to judges and faith leaders, the event spotlighted the power of collective action and democratic participation. Hosted in collaboration with the full Community…
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Linkage Community Launches as Independent Organization
On August 1, Linkage Community will begin operating independently from the University of Michigan’s Prison Creative Arts Project, where the group got its start as a space for formerly incarcerated creatives to thrive during the transition from prison back to their Michigan communities. This is a major milestone, marking growth of the group beyond its…