Earlier this morning, Michigan Democrats introduced a nine-bill package of pro-voter bills that protect the freedom to vote. The bills will help ensure Michiganders are informed about their voting rights, have options for how they cast their ballot, and provide election clerks with the tools to ensure our elections continue to run smoothly.

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed amended versions of SB 303 and SB 304, legislation that would have made it more difficult for voters to cast a ballot on Election Day and to have their vote be counted. The bills were passed on a strictly partisan basis.

Today, the U.S. Census Bureau will release population data from the 2020 Census in an easy-to-use format for Americans who want to advocate for fair maps in this year’s redistricting cycle. The new format of the data will be made available to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico and will be key to increasing participation in the ongoing redistricting efforts.

Over 100 Michiganders joined Common Cause Michigan, the Sierra Club, Community Alliance for the People, Detroit Disability Power, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for a digital event highlighting the importance of protecting voting rights in Michigan and the country.

Yesterday, Michigan’s Independent Citizen’s Redistricting Commission voted to hire Baker-Hostetler to serve as their litigation counsel should the maps they draw be challenged in court. We find this development very upsetting as the Baker-Hostetler firm is notorious for defending highly partisan and gerrymandered district maps in states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

Today’s release of redistricting data allows Michigan to begin the process of drawing new voting district maps that will shape our elections for the next ten years. While this process has historically been conducted behind closed doors with little to no public input, 2021 will mark the first time Michigan’s district maps will be drawn by an independent citizen-led commission.