The Michigan Voting Rights Act would establish strong state-level protections to ensure Michigan voters have the right to free, fair, and transparent elections
LANSING, Mich. (May 19, 2026) — After months of reports detailing the Trump administration’s efforts to nationalize elections, send military officers to polling locations, and restrict access to mail-in voting — the latest blow to election integrity came earlier this month as the U.S. Supreme Court eviscerated key protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. But Michigan Senate Democrats are fighting back, recently reintroducing legislation that would establish a state-level Voting Rights Act to ensure every eligible voter has access to the ballot box.
Today, Senate Democrats held a press conference with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, where they broke down the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA) and outlined their plan to counteract these national attacks on our elections.
“As Washington continues chipping away at fundamental voting protections, it’s up to the states to stand up and ensure our elections remain free, fair, and accessible to all eligible voters,” said Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), lead sponsor of the MVRA. “Here in Michigan, we’re taking that responsibility seriously. We’ve made registering to vote easier, expanded access to early and mail-in voting, and now, with the Michigan Voting Rights Act, we’re protecting voters from discrimination and helping ensure every community receives fair representation.”
The Michigan Voting Rights Act, composed of Senate Bills 961–964, is a comprehensive, pro-democracy package that builds on previous efforts to uphold the integrity of the state’s election process, ensuring voters are both physically and legally protected. More specifically, this legislation would:
“As Secretary of State and Michigan’s chief election officer, I will stand up to anyone who tries to silence your voice or block your vote. But protecting democracy takes all of us. We cannot stand by in this moment,” said Secretary of State Benson. “Now is the time to pass a Voting Rights Act for Michigan to restore the voting protections that the U.S. Supreme Court eviscerated. History proves that when we stand together and refuse to back down, we win. Let’s show this country who we are, what we stand for, and how we fight back.”
This package was developed with input from Secretary Benson and numerous advocacy organizations that focus on expanding voter accessibility here in Michigan and across the nation, including the Fair Elections Center, NAACP Michigan State Conference, and Brennan Center for Justice.
“We’ve made tremendous strides to protect the rights of Michiganders to cast their ballot freely and fairly — from fending off attempts to overturn our election results in 2020 to implementing early voting and expanding access to mail-in voting,” said Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Bloomfield), Chair of the Senate Elections Committee. “Still, we face chaos from Washington with a President threatening to intervene in state-run elections and a Supreme Court that gutted the federal Voting Rights Act. Our Senate Majority is stepping up again to ensure voters can participate in our elections without discrimination, intimidation, or any undue burden.”
“Every eligible voter should be free to cast their ballot accurately and without fear of being turned away at the polls,” said Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit). “In the aftermath of the destruction of the federal Voting Rights Act, we must strengthen protections here in Michigan for English Language Learners — people who chose to make Michigan their home and have become citizens. Providing resources to make voting more accessible, such as bilingual poll workers and translated ballots, are much-needed steps toward a more representative, participatory democracy. 38.9% of Michiganders are English Language Learners, and we must ensure their right to vote is upheld and strengthened – not just for these voters, but also to uphold the promise of our democracy.”
“At a moment when voting rights are under increasing attack across this country, Michigan has an opportunity — and a responsibility — to lead,” said Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor). “The MVRA would be a historic civil rights achievement for our state, protecting the access voters have today while also shielding our elections from future efforts to undermine fairness or restrict participation — particularly in historically disenfranchised communities. As other states are moving backward to a pre-1965 era, Senate Democrats are determined to keep Michigan moving forward.”
To watch the full press conference, visit Michigan Senate Democrats on YouTube here or on their webpage here.
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