Detroit, Michigan — Democrats in Michigan have regained control of two vacant seats in the state’s house of representatives, giving them the opportunity to pass legislation aimed at protecting voting rights and election administration. The special elections saw Mai Xiong and Peter Herzberg elected to represent Detroit and its suburbs, enabling legislators to revive efforts to codify voter protections that had previously stalled.
In 2022, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment implementing significant election reforms, such as early voting, expanded absentee voting, and restrictions on stringent voter ID laws. Subsequently, the Democratic-controlled state legislature allocated over $40 million in the state budget to support measures expanding early and absentee voting, leading to a record-breaking number of early and absentee votes cast in the presidential primary.
Lawmakers in Michigan also introduced measures to safeguard voting rights, including the establishment of a state-level Voting Rights Act and a ban on prison gerrymandering. This legislation mirrors efforts in other states like New York, Connecticut, Virginia, Oregon, Washington, and California to address gaps left by weakened federal voting rights protections.
The proposed Michigan Voting Rights Act aims to protect disabled voters, prevent voter suppression, and enhance accessibility for non-English-speaking voters through translated ballots. Additionally, the bill to ban prison gerrymandering seeks to ensure fair political representation by considering the home addresses of incarcerated individuals rather than their prison locations when creating electoral districts.
Furthermore, a series of bills prohibiting firearms at polling places, clerk’s offices, and ballot drop boxes passed the state senate and is expected to gain approval with the Democratic majority in the house. Advocates like Jamie Lyons-Eddy, executive director of Voters not Politicians, acknowledge progress made but stress the need to address barriers that historically marginalized communities still face in exercising their right to vote.
The restored Democratic trifecta in Michigan presents an opportunity to fortify voting rights and election procedures, signaling a potentially transformative era for democracy in the state. As legislators pursue these reforms, the focus remains on overcoming challenges to ensure equitable access and participation in the electoral process.