Urge Michigan Senators to Oppose Voter Suppression Bills before 2 p.m. This Wednesday

By MUUSJN on Wednesday, May 26th, 2021

URGENT ACTION NEEDED: CONTACT STATE SENATORS

(from Michigan ACLU)


This week, we are asking you all to take action to oppose Senate Bill 285, Senate Bill 303, and Senate Bill 304. On Wednesday, May 26 at 2 p.m. EST, the Michigan Senate Elections committee will be taking testimony on Senate Bills 285, 303, and 304.

These voter suppression bills will create unnecessary restrictions designed to make it harder for some people to vote. The bills will eliminate Michigan’s long-functioning system of allowing a voter to prove who they are by signing an affidavit under penalty of perjury if they arrive at a polling place without ID. The bills go so far as to require you to send a copy of your ID through the mail if you choose to vote absentee, putting your personal security at risk. Anti-voter bills like these are a solution in search of a problem. This blatant voter suppression tactic will disenfranchise thousands of voters who show up on Election Day without their ID. 

Michiganders turned out in record numbers to vote in 2020 in one of the state’s most secure elections in history. This is a reason to celebrate, and we should be working to build on that success. SB 285, 303, and 304 are misguided and a step backwards in our ongoing quest for a more democratic society. Elected officials should be seeking ways to encourage more voters, not inventing excuses to deny voters the ability to cast their ballots. Photo ID requirements present substantial barriers to voting and negatively affect voter participation, with no proven security benefit.

HERE ARE OPTIONS FOR ACTION:

  • Submit a card to the Senate Elections Committee, in opposition to Senate Bills 285, 303, 304  before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26th.
    • To submit a card, email the Committee Clerk, Heather Dorbeck (hdorbeck@senate.michigan.gov) and cc the Committee Chair, Senator Ruth Johnson (senrjohnson@senate.michigan.gov) and Minority Vice Chair Senator Paul Wojno (senpwojno@senate.michigan.gov)
    • Include the following in your email:
      • Subject line Suggestion: Card Opposing SB 285, SB 303, and SB 304 
      • Your Name
      • The bill # you are taking a position on (SB 285, SB 303, and SB 304)
      • Whether you oppose, support, or are neutral on the bill (we oppose)
      • Phone, email address, city of residence (all optional)
  • Call your legislator using the ACLU-MI Constituent connector line: 517.760.6214a. When you call, you will be prompted to enter you zip code and will then be routed to your Senator. Whether you reach a person or a voicemail, please let them know you’re a constituent and that you oppose Senate Bills 285, 303, and 304 because voters already are able to verify their identity with their signature without having to provide additional documentation. It’s an extra bureaucratic burden — and it suppresses voting — when citizens have send photo ID’s to clerks’ offices when they apply for an absentee ballot or vote in person. Photo ID requirements create excuses to deny voters the right to cast their ballots.
  • Email your legislator using this link:
    • This email is editable—so tell your legislator that you oppose Senate Bills 285, 303, and 304. You can use the brief bill explainers above as your justification!b. Share this with your networks!

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