A coalition of concerned groups, including the League of Women Voters, has launched a 2018 Campaign to pass a Voting Rights Amendment to the Michigan Constitution to make voting more accessible for all.
Campaign Goals | Campaign Leaders | Why Do We Need a VR Amendment? | Next Steps | Get Involved
What is the Promote the Vote Campaign?
On January 22, 2018 the League of Women Voters of the State of Michigan announced a major initiative called the "Promote the Vote" Campaign. The campaign is a broad coalition striving to make voting more accessible for all Americans and to pass a Voting Rights Amendment to the Michigan Constitution. By making voting more accessible and secure, our democracy will better serve all Americans and our laws will better reflect the will of the people. Everyone--Republicans, Democrats and Independents--deserves to have their vote secure and counted.
What are the Goals of the PTV Campaign?
An amendment for voting rights would:
- Fulfill recommendations of local clerks and the Secretary of State to provide all registered voters with equal access to an absentee ballot
- Allow citizens to register to vote closer to Election Day, as the majority of states do
- Give citizens the right to choose whether to cast their ballot on or before Election Day, as 37 other states across the country and the District of Columbia already do.
- Automatically register citizens to vote when they do business at a Secretary of State's office
- Ensure the accuracy and integrity of elections by auditing election results
- Create fair rules that remove barriers and make voting more secure so we the people are heard on Election Day
- Protect the right to vote a secret ballot
- Ensure military service members overseas get their ballots in time for their votes to count
- Provide voters with the option to vote straight party
The following 37 states already allow all of their citizens to cast their ballots before or on election day: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont , Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Who is Leading This Campaign?
Dozens of individuals and organizations from all walks of life and from across the state, including business and nonprofit communities, involved in this effort.
Among them:
- ACLU of Michigan
- League of Women Voters of Michigan
- Michigan League for Public Policy
- NAACP - Michigan State Conference
- NAACP -Detroit Branch
- Ismael Ahmed, Nasser Beydoun, Ines De Jesus, Erica Peresman
Why is This Amendment Needed?
We need a voting system that works for all Americans. We need to make sure that voting is accessible to all citizens and that everyone's vote gets counted. From working parents who struggle with long voting lines, far-away polling places and no time off work to vote, to people who frequently move for jobs or military service, we need to set up our system so that every eligible American can have their voice heard on Election Day.
We're all better off when more Americans--Republicans, Democrats and Independents--participate in our democracy. All citizens must be able to have their voices heard and their vote protected. Sadly, for too many of us, our trust has been shaken about the election process.
The good news is that the fix to our election system--restoring faith in our democracy--isn't a hard one. We can make it easier for all Americans to have a secure vote, an up-to-date system, and accurate voter lists. It's just common sense.
Next Steps for the Promote the Vote Campaign
On January 22, petition language was submitted to the Michigan Secretary of State's Office; once approved, Promote the Vote has to submit signatures by July 9th ahead of the November election.
We will work to make sure that the vote is accessible to all Americans. We will knock on doors, call, and share with Michigan voters that everyone deserves to have a secure and accessible vote.
Get Involved in the Promote the Vote Campaign
Click Information to sign up to get information on this campaign and to find out how you can get involved.