Michigan Senate passes state Voting Rights Act as federal act loses teeth

Michigan Senate Democrats on Tuesday celebrated the passage of a state-focused Voting Rights Act, although the legislation now heads to the Republican-led House of Representatives, which is unlikely to rush the four-bill package to the governor’s desk.

Senate Bills 961, 962, 963 and 964 each passed in the Legislature’s upper chamber on a 20-17 vote along party lines.

Michigan Democrats have for the past several years warned that the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court could and eventually would dismantle key provisions of the federal Voting Rights Act.

That fear is now a reality with the U.S. high court’s latest action in Louisiana v. Callais, in which the six Republican-appointed justices voted to gut Section 2 of the act — the primary tool against discriminatory voting rights policies from states hostile to voters of color.

The package passed by the Senate Tuesday would, among other things, prohibit state and local governments from adopting election policies or practices that reduce voting access for protected groups; establish a Michigan Voting Rights Assistance Fund; provide for reimbursement of certain legal and local government costs; and permit courts to order necessary remedies including redrawn district maps, changes to election procedures and court oversight.

The Michigan Senate passed similar legislation in the 2023-24 Legislature, but it died in the House during a chaotic lame duck session.

The current package was reintroduced in May and was passed less than a month later.

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“Voting is the foundation of our democracy, and protecting that right requires constant vigilance — especially right now,” said state Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), sponsor of SB 961, in a statement. “The MVRA will help ensure every eligible voter can make their voice heard and strengthen the integrity of our elections for generations to come.”

State Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Bloomfield), who sponsored SB 962, said the Democratic Senate majority delivered on “bold protections that ensure voters can cast their ballots freely, accurately, and without fear of intimidation.”

“This legislation reinforces our commitment to making sure every Michigander can participate fully in our democracy,” Moss said in a statement.

State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), who sponsored SB 963, said protecting voting rights in Michigan must be the Legislature’s top priority following the Callais decision.

“A strong, representative democracy depends on every voter being able to access and understand the voting process,” Chang said in a statement. “The Michigan Voting Rights Act ensures every eligible voter — of every language, race, ability, or zip code — can cast their vote accurately and without fear of being silenced, thereby increasing participation in our elections and strengthening democracy for all of us.” 

State Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), who sponsored SB 964, also called passing a Michigan-focused Voting Rights Act a responsibility if the Legislature was serious about maintaining the integrity of Michigan’s elections.

“The Michigan Voting Rights Act sends a clear message that Michigan is committed to defending free, fair, and accessible elections,” Geiss said in a statement. “As attacks on voting rights intensify at the federal level, Michigan is stepping up to safeguard the fundamental right to vote and strengthen our democracy.”

It is unclear if the GOP-controlled House will even take up the bills. A text message seeking comment from the communications office of House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) was not returned at the time of publication. This story will be updated when a response is received.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, also a candidate for governor, praised the Senate’s passage of the legislation and implored the House to take up the bills.

“I’m grateful to members of the Senate for their perseverance and leadership. I now urge House lawmakers to pass the MVRA and send these essential legal protections to the Governor’s desk. We must make America’s promise of freedom and equality for all a reality for all Michiganders,” Benson said in a press release.

That sentiment was echoed by Loren Khogali, executive director of the ACLU of Michigan, who said the bills were the result of the federal government working in a “targeted manner” to erode voting rights nationwide.

“The intent of these anti-democracy policies is to control the outcome of our elections and disempower Black voters, voters of color and disabled voters from picking elected leaders at the local, state and federal level,” Khogali said in a press release. “We applaud the Michigan Senate for passing the Michigan VRA and urge the Michigan House of Representatives to move this critical legislation across the finish line with a yes vote.”

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) noted Tuesday that it was her caucus that met the moment and tried to protect against voting discrimination in Michigan.

“Senate Democrats have led the charge on protecting the fundamental right to vote in Michigan, and today’s passage of the MVRA builds on those efforts,” Brinks said in a statement. “As federal voting protections are being eroded by those who are afraid of losing at the ballot box, we’re fighting back to ensure every eligible Michigander can freely and fairly participate in our elections — because a true democracy reflects the will of all of us, not just a select few.”