Voting Rights Act Passes

Sep 20, 2024

by Liz Gullett

As MLC’s Communications and Social Media Manager, Liz Gullett keeps clients informed and up-to-date on the goings on in Lansing and the Capitol.

Legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights of qualified voters and reducing barriers to election participation passed the Senate this week. The package was sponsored by members of the Senate Democratic Caucus and developed with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and numerous interested organizations.

Key Points:

    • Creates a nonpartisan and transparent voter database and institute to provide a center for research, training, and information on voting systems and election administration with easy-to-access information in one location.
    • Requires and expands the jurisdictions that must translate election-related information into languages other than English.
    • Enhances and clarifies protections for voters with disabilities or who otherwise need assistance to vote.
    • Prohibits a local government or state agency from imposing any law, practice, policy, or method of election that would lead to a disparity in voter participation between a protected class and other members of the electorate or that would impair the ability of a protected class to participate in the political process.

Next Steps:

    • Senate Bills 401 – 404 were referred to the House Elections Committee for consideration.

Members of the Senate Republican Caucus were in opposition to the package. According to Senator Ruth Johnson (R-Holly)

“These bills would cost taxpayers millions of dollars and create new obstacles for our clerks and local units of government that are simply unnecessary,” said Johnson, R-Holly. “These bills go far beyond the voting rights protections already afforded to all of our citizens under both the U.S. and Michigan constitutions, and they would create a huge new bureaucracy under the secretary of state that would help interest groups sue our local units of government and our hardworking clerks.”

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Recent Posts

Income Tax Reduction Moves

Income Tax Reduction Moves

The House Finance Committee reported legislation reducing the state income tax rate from 4.25% to 4.05%, effective January 1, 2025. Key Points: House Bill 4170 was introduced by Representative Kathy Schmaltz (R-Jackson). In 2015, legislation was signed into law by...

Committee Moves Voting Reforms

Committee Moves Voting Reforms

On a party-line vote, the House Elections Integrity Committee reported a proposal that would require a resident to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote, among other changes. Key Points: HJR B was introduced by Representative Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford)....

Senate Democrats Unveil Proposal

Senate Democrats Unveil Proposal

Members of the Senate Democratic caucus announced their proposal, aimed at “laying the foundation for a strong future for children and parents,” according to their press release. The proposal has a multi-angled approach: A $5,500 Working Parents Tax Credit for working...

Looking for older articles?

We’ve recently made improvements to our blog to provide a better user experience. If you’re searching for older posts, click here to search our archive.

Michigan Legislative Consultants

Michigan Legislative Consultants
110 W. Michigan Avenue
Suite 500
Lansing, MI 48933
517.372.2560
517.372.0130 fax

1001 Woodward Avenue
Suite 500
Detroit, MI 48226

MLC is proud to be the Michigan member of NASL