Stand Up for Voting Rights

If proposed changes to election laws are signed by Gov. Snyder,  many legitimate voters will have a much harder time making their political voices heard. Our state legislature approved a set of bills that regulate groups that register voters, impose stricter photo ID requirements for voters, and add a citizenship check-off box to ballot applications.  Now it is up to the governor to do the right thing by vetoing this legislation. 

The Michigan State AFL-CIO, the A. Philip Randolph Institute, and many other diverse organizations are opposing these bills because they will make voting more difficult and confusing, without improving election security or integrity.

New training, certification, and paperwork requirements will make it more difficult for groups such as the A. Philip Randolph Institute to conduct registration drives, resulting in fewer opportunities for citizens to register at locations such as schools, community centers, and churches.  According to national data, Hispanic and African American voters are twice as likely as white voters to register through voter registration drives and, therefore, more likely to be adversely affected.

Send an email to Governor Rick Snyder now.  Let him know that:

*  These changes are not necessary to ensure election integrity and will create barriers to voting.

*  The requirements placed on groups that register people to vote are excessive and will reduce registration opportunities for citizens.

*  The current methods used to verify a voter’s identity and eligibility are effective and additional requirements will not improve upon these methods.

*  Voting is a fundamental right and the Legislature should make voting more convenient and accessible for citizens, not more difficult.