Suggest Changes in Language for Americans for Citizens Voting, DUE AUG. 10TH!

Research shows most people incorrectly assume they will still be able to use a regular driver’s license or state ID to register to vote. They incorrectly assume those documents alone prove their citizenship. The truth is those documents will not be acceptable for voter registration under the ACV proposal because they do not prove citizenship status.

The current summary is not written in a way that is accessible to everyday people, and it does not make it clear that voters will no longer be able to use their driver’s license or even a regular REAL ID to register to vote. Most people assume the same ID that can get you into a bar or onto an airplane would beenough to register to vote.

---

Suggested statement to the Board of State Canvassers:

To: Board of State Canvassers.

If the Americans for Citizens Voting ballot proposal is determined to have sufficient signatures to be placed on the 2026 General Election Ballot, please ensure that the 100 word summary specifically includes the following language to make sure voters understand the proposal.

Suggested language:

“Require proof of citizenship by showing acceptable documents including birth certificate and passport; regular driver’s license/state ID not acceptable.”

The reason for the suggested change is that voters are likely to incorrectly assume that they will still be able to use a regular driver’s license or state ID to register to vote. Voters incorrectly assume that these documents alone are acceptable proof of citizenship. However, under the ACV proposal these documents are not acceptable to register to vote.

---

Copy and paste the suggested letter into an email to MDOS-Canvassers@Michigan.gov

Deadline for submission of suggested language to staff: Monday August 10, 2026, 5:00 p.m.

Process for comments and Announcement from Board of State Canvassers:

https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/BSC-Announcements/2026/Ballot-summary-language-ACV.pdf?rev=344a1f808e784bea83cafd05ee60f69f&hash=032F06801CDAD880BBEFF31103A42AF1

LWVMI ACTION ALERT: URGE GOVERNOR WHITMER TO SHUT DOWN LINE 5 PIPELINE

LWVMI ACTION ALERT:  TELL GOVERNOR WHITMER TO SHUT DOWN LINE 5 PIPELINE

Last Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court sent the Line 5 Oil Tunnel Permit back to the Michigan Public Service Commission to "consider the extent to which the replacement project may pollute, impair, or destroy public trust resources."

Even though the Supreme Court's decision delays the Line 5 tunnel, the Line 5 pipeline is still running under the Great Lakes.

LWVMI has long supported shutting down the Line 5 pipeline and rejecting the tunnel permit.

LWVMI requests that you email Governor Whitmer to ask her to support the public's right to clean, fresh water, and shut down the Line 5 pipeline once and for all.

I

n League,

Denise Hartsough     Lynne Kochmanski

Co-President             Co-President

Oppose Proposed Mail-In and Absentee Ballot Regulations

As you may know, the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a proposed rule earlier this month that would erect barriers to mail voting. The League is encouraging people to submit comments opposing the USPS’s proposal regarding the transmission of mail-in or absentee ballots for federal elections.

The USPS’s proposed amendments would create unnecessary barriers to voting that could prevent eligible voters from receiving and returning their mail-in and absentee ballots and could even serve to disenfranchise eligible voters who are unable to vote in person.

Under the amendments, USPS would need to verify that mailed ballots are only being sent to approved voters on a list supplied by states. This gives USPS a role in election administration that rightfully belongs to state and local election officials.

The proposal would also establish mandatory ballot-mail design and tracking requirements, including requiring states to update their mail ballots envelopes to include voter unique ballot-tracking barcodes.

Everyone agrees that election mail should be secure. But these new federal requirements will create barriers that could prevent eligible voters from receiving and returning their mail-in and absentee ballots in time to be counted.

Voting is a fundamental right for citizens that must be guaranteed. Voting by mail is part of that right and is a critical part of the election process throughout the United States.

The USPS comment period is open until July 2, 2026, at 5PM ET.

Use this form to file your comment today!

URGE STATE SENATE AND HOUSE MEMBERS TO VOTE YES ON SB 508 & 510

LWVMI ACTION ALERT:  URGE STATE SENATE AND HOUSE MEMBERS TO VOTE YES ON SENATE BILLS 508 & 510

The Michigan Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee voted to report SB 508 and SB 510 to the entire Senate for a vote.  SB 508 would prohibit a federal immigration officer from conducting an immigration enforcement action in a sensitive location except if a court order directed the officer to enter the sensitive location or if the action were necessary to address a threat that posed imminent danger to public safety.  SB 510 would prohibit a federal immigration officer from wearing a mask or personal disguise while interacting with a member of the public in performance of the officer's duties, except under specified circumstances.

LWVMI supports these bills to protect our citizens and our democracy.   

LWVUS also has an action alert on similar issues at the federal level.  You can also take action here on the federal issue Tell Congress That Federal Immigration Enforcement Has Gone Too Far | League of Women Voters.

URGE STATE REPS TO VOTE NO ON HB 4765

LWVMI ACTION ALERT:  URGE STATE REPS TO VOTE NO ON HB 4765 

The Michigan House Election Integrity Committee voted to report HB 4765 to the entire House for a vote.   HB 4765 amends Michigan Election Law to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote. LWVMI opposes this bill and urges you to contact your state Representative to urge a "no" vote on this bill. 

As we know from our work to oppose the federal SAVE Act and the House Joint Resolution B, these proposals will establish requirements for voting that only serve to block citizens from their right to vote.  For example, citizens would need to purchase an enhanced driver's license or a passport to meet these new registration requirements. 

Michigan citizens must already certify their citizenship on the voter registration application.

Reject Line 5 Tunnel Permit

On February 6, 2026 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its Final Impact Statement for the proposed Enbridge Line 5 oil tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac.

The report confirms that the tunnel would cause permanent harm to the Great Lakes.

• The Line 5 tunnel would cause long-term, irreversible environmental damage, including permanent wetland loss, lasting harm to wildlife habitat, and increased industrial development in one of the most sensitive places in the Great Lakes.

• Enbridge's proposed tunnel would require removing more than 665,000 cubic yards of bedrock from beneath the Straits of Mackinac, permanently altering the geology of the Great Lakes' most critical connection point.

• The project would adversely affect archaeological sites and a traditional cultural landscape.  It will cause construction noise and turbidity which could interfere with Tribal cultural and ceremonial practices.

• The impact on treaty rights still remains unresolved "to be determined later."

Despite the rushed Army Corps report, Michigan still has the power to stop the tunnel under the Clean Water Act.

This is the moment to speak up to tell Governor Whitmer to protect our Great Lakes by rejecting the Enbridge Line 5 Tunnel Permit request.

Click on the Take Action link below.  A letter is already prepared for you to send, but you can edit it if you choose.