On March 24th, 2021, an astounding number of Michigan Republican legislators joined the national coordinated effort to restrict voter participation. An astounding 39 bills were introduced as a claim to prevent massive voter fraud by implementing “best practices” for voter integrity. However, the legislation clearly shows an effort to restrict Michigan voters from casting an absentee ballot.
This effort comes nearly three months later following the 2020 election results where Former President Trump made erroneous claims that absentee voting leads to major fraud. However, after a long-awaited and much-needed process, all 50 states certified their votes, legitimizing the Biden-Harris victory.
The victory of the Biden-Harris Administration has resulted in G.O.P leaders and allies to attempt to maintain political power through voter suppression. Hit the hardest by these efforts are communities of color. Last week we saw Governor Brian Kemp, of Georgia sign into law, legislation that curtails voter participation. Georgia, for the first time in decades, flipped democratic, resulting in two new democratic U.S senators. These victories were attributable to communities of color, Asian American, Black, and Latinx, galvanizing their efforts and right to vote. Black voters specifically came together in a massive voting effort led by Stacey Abrams and her Fair Fight Campaign.
Georgia, however, was not the only representation of communities of color turning out at a higher rate than expected, communities of color all across the United States including Michigan had a much higher than expected turnout rate as well. Michigan has moved forward in expanding access to voters. In 2018,, Voters Not Politicians helped lead the fight in 2018 passing Proposal 2 to end gerrymandering. The proposal created an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, so that citizens, not legislators pick their voters. Progression, for free and fair elections where no one is advantaged or disadvantaged, must continue.
What we are now seeing as we have throughout history an effort to impose race-based laws to deny Black and Brown people their right to vote. These efforts date to the end of the Civil War― and for another 100 years during the post-slavery Jim Crow period. Unfortunately, our Michigan legislators are perpetuating the past.
Michigan’s legislative efforts that roll back access to voting draconian.
Senate Bill 285 - will make voters supply a specific type of photo ID to request an absentee ballot (including every person on the permanent absentee ballot list), also removing voters’ ability to request an absentee ballot by mail or online
Senate Bill 303 - will require voters to carry a specific type of photo ID with them to vote on Election Day and removes voters’ freedom to sign an affidavit if they do not have the specific ID with them
Senate Bill 286 - will remove the ability to return an absentee ballot to a dropbox after 5 pm the day before election day and require voters to return their absentee ballot at their clerk’s office
Senate Bill 287 - will require voters to pay to return their absentee ballot by mail by removing prepaid postage on absentee ballots
Senate Bill 310 - will ban the freedom to mail voters an absentee ballot application or even to provide voters with a link to the av ballot request webpage
Senate Bill 289 - will shift the power to use federal funds earmarked for elections to the legislature instead of the Secretary of State
Senate Bill 290 - will limit who can serve as an election challenger
Senate Bill 291 - this removes “filing certain false statements” from the list of election-related felonies, removing accountability from bad actors who spread misinformation to voters
Voting is a social justice issue and as social workers, we have a responsibility to protect the ability of individuals to participate in civic engagement. Having a voice in choosing the elected officials whose decisions impact our lives, families and communities are necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to needed information, services, and resources.
It is imperative that you call your State Representative and State Senator TODAY and publicly oppose voter suppression bills SB 273-311. Let them know that these efforts limit participation in democracy and make it harder for Michiganders to vote.
Michigan can move forward and not backward, and it starts with you, a social worker, breaking the pattern of voter suppression in this nation that dates back to 1870.
Read additional information about how you can stop voter suppression efforts below:
How to restore and strengthen Voting Rights Act
Algeria Wilson, MSW
Director of Public Policy, National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter
Print Page
Email to a Friend
