A set of bills aimed at enhancing voting accessibility for non-English speakers and individuals with disabilities is advancing toward becoming Michigan state law. On Tuesday, the House elections committee, in a party-line vote, approved four bills comprising the proposed Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA). The legislation, championed by Democrats and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, will now proceed to the House floor for a vote. These bills were previously approved by the Senate in September following nearly a year of committee deliberations.
The MVRA seeks to broaden voting access by offering ballots in more languages, establishing a voting data clearinghouse, ensuring assistance for voters requiring help, and preventing voter suppression. If enacted, the legislation would mark another significant shift in Michigan’s election laws, which have recently expanded voting rights through measures like same-day registration and early in-person voting.
