Michiganders across the political spectrum and representing every county in the state made it very clear that they support elections that are secure, modern, and accessible when they passed Proposals 18-3 and 22-2.
The Problem
Anti-voter lawmakers in both the Michigan House and the US House have introduced legislation that will restrict the ability of eligible American citizens to register to vote by introducing burdensome and unfeasible new identification requirements.
HJR B (Michigan) and SAVE Act (Federal) would require documentary proof of citizenship upon registration to vote and also when voters change their address to update their voter registration, blocking eligible Michigan citizens from voting.
Millions of Michiganders voted to make voter registration and elections more accessible for eligible Michigan citizens in 2018 and 2022. We can not allow Washington D.C. politics and intentional election fearmongering to take over our state’s elections and disenfranchise Michigan voters.
What Can You Do?
Take action now to stop this blatant attempt at voter suppression!
- Attend a Stop the SAVE Act Rally during our April 12 Day of Action. We will be holding pro-voter protest rallies in front of district offices in every Michigan congressional district.
- Join our Dial for Democracy citizen lobbying program. Your lawmakers need to know that endangering voting access for eligible Michigan voters is unacceptable, and that blocking both the SAVE Act and HJR B is an urgent priority. Sign up today to get specific email instructions on how to contact your US Congressional representatives and state lawmakers, and a script to follow when you call.
- Submit a Letter to the Editor to your local newspaper. Let your legislator and your community know that the SAVE Act and HJR B are a threat to Michigan voters and our elections.
- Become a VNP volunteer using the volunteer sign-up form below to get connected to a volunteer team in your local area.
Why It Matters
Michigan’s elections are already secure, accessible, and transparent. That’s why we need to protect them now.
HJR B does not have enough support in the legislature to garner the required two-thirds majority in both chambers that would place it on the ballot for voter approval. However, supporters of the amendment are taking steps towards a constitutional ballot initiative campaign to get the measure on the 2026 November ballot, and have already filed a ballot question committee to move forward with their plan.
The SAVE Act only needs to secure a simple majority in the US House and 60 votes in the Senate to advance to President Trump’s desk and be signed into law. Every Michigander who supports democracy and wants to protect our elections must work together to show our elected officials in Congress that Michigan doesn’t need or want any federal interference in our elections.
Additional Resources
- The SAVE Act: Overview and Facts (Center for American Progress)
- Analysis: House Bill Would Hurt American Voters (Brennan Center for Justice)
- Voter ID in Michigan FAQs (Promote the Vote)
- Democrats condemn proof of citizenship voting resolution advancing in Michigan House as ‘poll tax’ (Michigan Advance)
- Similar Laws in Other States
- NH’s new ID requirements send some would-be voters home (New Hampshire Public Radio)
- Kansas once required voters to prove citizenship. That didn’t work out so well (AP News)
- Who are the Arizona voters without proof of citizenship? They may surprise you. (Votebeat Arizona)