Dear Neighbor,
I hope you and your family are enjoying these last few weeks of summer. As the season nears an end, I wanted to share with you some of the latest Lansing news and in-district updates.
Thank you again for taking the time to read this eNews — I hope to see you all soon.
Sincerely,
Sen. Sam SinghState SenatorDistrict 28
Voting Rights Expansion Bills Signed into Law
Ensuring that all individuals have an equal opportunity to vote — regardless of their socioeconomic status or background — is part of upholding our fundamental rights and liberties. That is why the Michigan Senate Democrats listened to voters last November who overwhelmingly voted in favor of expanding voting rights with Proposal 2. Now, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed Proposal 2 into law.
In this moment, it is important to highlight the work of our Michigan Senate Democrats in moving this legislation forward:
- Senate Bill 339, sponsored by Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), will establish a website for Michiganders to track their ballots. It will ensure voters are notified when their vote is received and counted and inform them if there are any errors and offer a solution to remedy them.
- Senate Bill 367, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), requires at least nine days of early voting before each statewide and federal election so people can find a convenient time to vote that works for them without facing lines on Election Day. It also authorizes pre-processing and early tabulation of absentee ballots, ensuring a timely result after polls close on Election Day.
- Senate Bill 370, sponsored by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), implements requirements to allow voters to fix clerical errors with their ballots. It also requires prepaid postage for all absentee ballot applications and envelopes, saving voters time and trips to the Post Office.
- Senate Bill 373, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), allows Michiganders to use their US passport, tribal photo ID card, military ID card, or student ID to identify themselves when they show up to vote. As has always been the case, they will need to be registered to vote in their precinct to cast a ballot. This law simply expands the valid forms of ID accepted to certify that you are who you say you are.
This is a major legislative win — not only for the Majority Democratic Caucus — but for the entire state of Michigan. It was not too long ago that marginalized communities were fighting for their right to vote, and we are proud to further the hard work of our civil rights movement leaders and suffragists through passing Proposal 2.
National Black Business Month
In August, we celebrate National Black Business Month! This month-long observance is an opportunity to highlight the many contributions and achievements of Black-owned businesses in the state of Michigan. As a caucus, we have intentionally allocated funding — in the FY ‘24 budget and the budget years prior — to invest in the entrepreneurial dreams of Michiganders everywhere.
Overall, small businesses have the power to create jobs, economic growth, and self-actualization for residents. Therefore, championing diversity in business only helps us achieve a more inclusive, welcoming state. If you are looking for ways to connect with, develop, and support Black-owned businesses in your area, please feel free to utilize the resources available from the MEDC.
In the District
Shiawassee County Fair
August 8 through August 12 is the Shiawassee County Fair! Come enjoy carnival rides, auctions, 4-H exhibits, truck shows and more. Admission information and a list of events can be found here: https://www.shiawasseefair.com/
Coffee Hour Reminder
Join me for a virtual coffee hour on Monday, August 14 from 8am-9am. You can register here: https://senatedems.com/singh/coffee-hour-register/