Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan has signed an important piece of legislation that could dramatically impact voting rights for all, and notably, for Black voters in Detroit.
On Tuesday, Governor Whitmer put her signature on several bills aimed at expanding voting rights. In a powerful statement, Whitmer stated that these new laws will uphold the will of voters who approved adding a new voting rights amendment to the Michigan Constitution. The laws will implement at least nine days of early voting in statewide elections, easing the burden of those who may struggle to make it to the polls on Election Day. The major points of these laws, including the possibility for voters to have absentee ballots and pre-paid postage envelopes automatically dispatched to their homes, are significant strides forward. More ballot drop boxes and the ability to sign up for text or email updates on the status of their absentee ballots right up to delivery to be counted by clerks’ offices, are integral parts of this commendable initiative.
To focus on the critical part of this discourse: this legislation will have an immense impact on Black voters in Detroit, who have a history of enduring systematic disenfranchisement.
By easing access to absentee voting, this set of bills immediately challenges a system that has, for too long, marginalized Black voters. This legislation acknowledges and attempts to rectify the multiple obstacles that Black voters often face, from long wait times at polling stations to rigid working hours that do not provide the luxury to stand in lines for hours.
These laws represent a triumph for every Black voter who has had to battle the long-standing obstacles that hinder the fundamental democratic right to vote. They have historically been disproportionately affected by strict voting regulations, but these new laws provide a beacon of hope. They aim to level the playing field, ensuring that every vote counts, and every voter is counted.
The ability to vote early, by mail, or by dropping off ballots, drastically reduces the burden and the risk for those who may have otherwise been disenfranchised due to lack of transportation, work obligations, or health concerns. Moreover, the ability to track the status of absentee ballots provides an added layer of transparency that Black voters in Detroit deserve and have been asking for.
There were voices of dissent, of course, some Republicans argued that this legislation could enable ballot fraud. But let’s clear the air – numerous studies, audits, and court rulings have repeatedly found no substantial evidence of widespread voter fraud. To argue this point is to push a narrative that not only is inaccurate but also perpetuates the same systemic barriers that have been erected to prevent equal access to the ballot.
In signing these bills into law, Michigan stands up for democracy, for fairness, and for the principle that all citizens, regardless of their race or where they live, should have an equal opportunity to vote. It is a nod to the power of collective action, it’s a nod to every one of us who believes in an America where every voice matters, every vote counts, and every citizen has an equal say in the direction we steer this ship we call democracy.
At its core, democracy is about everyone having an equal voice. While we have a long way to go before this ideal is fully realized, Governor Whitmer’s signing of these bills marks an important stride toward leveling the playing field in Michigan. These new laws help to dismantle barriers that Black voters in Detroit have faced, offering them a more just, equitable avenue to express their electoral voice. But as we all know, the fight is far from over. The journey toward achieving an equitable democracy continues, and we’ll keep marching on, one vote at a time.
