On the November 2022 Ballot: 

Proposal 22-2: Promote the Vote 2022

"A proposal to authorize additional absentee voting provisions, early in-person voting, and donations to fund elections; and add current legal requirements for voter identification and post-election audits and canvasses to the Michigan Constitution

This proposed constitutional amendment would:

• Recognize fundamental right to vote without harassing conduct;
• Require military or overseas ballots be counted if postmarked by election day;
• Provide voter right to verify identity with photo ID or signed statement;
• Provide voter right to single application to vote absentee in all elections;
• Require state-funded absentee-ballot drop boxes, and postage for absentee applications and ballots; 
• Provide that only election officials may conduct post-election audits;
• Require 9 days of early in-person voting;
• Allow donations to fund elections, which must be disclosed;
• Require canvass boards certify election results based only on the official records of votes cast.

Should this proposal be adopted?"

For more information: Proposal 22-2: Promote the Vote 2022

Proposal 22-3: Reproductive Freedom for All

"A proposal to amend the state constitution to establish new individual right to reproductive freedom, including right to make all decisions about pregnancy; allow state to prohibit abortion in some cases; and forbid prosecution of individuals exercising established right

This proposed constitutional amendment would:

• Establish new individual right to reproductive freedom, including right to make and carry out all decisions about pregnancy, such as prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, sterilization, abortion, miscarriage management, and infertility;
• Allow state to prohibit abortion after fetal viability unless needed to protect a patient’s life or physical or mental health;
• Forbid state discrimination in enforcement of this right; prohibit prosecution of an
  individual, or a person helping a pregnant individual, for exercising rights established by this amendment; and invalidate all state laws that conflict with this amendment.

Should this proposal be adopted?"

For more information: Proposal 22-3: Reproductive Freedom for All

Pending Bills/ Ballot Initiatives to Watch For:

HB 4416 Prohibits Restrictive Covenants

• Deed Restrictions (Anthony) prohibits certain restrictive covenants in deeds.
• The bill provides an efficient and effective way to record the illegality of restrictive covenants in the chain of title recorded in the Register of Deeds Office.
• HB 4416 Ban Restrictive Covenants: Pending in Senate Local Government 

HB 4277 Distracted Driving

• Enhances penalties for operating a vehicle while sending or receiving a message on an electronic wireless device.
• Training in enforcing this law and collecting racial data may reduce pretextual stops and racial profiling.
• HB 4277 Distracted Driving: Pending in Senate Committee of the Whole  

SB 460 & HB 5097 Education and

Critical Race Theory

• Developed bill analyses for “Critical Race Theory”(CRT) bill.
• SB 460 bans “Critical Race Theory” and the 1619 curriculum.
• HB 5097 “stereotype” bill bans several race and gender variables in public schools.
• SB 460 Education and Critical Race Theory: Reported in Senate Education and Career Readiness
• HB 5097 Education and Critical Race Theory: Pending in Senate Committee of the Whole

HB 4275 Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN Act)

• Routinely, people of African descent are deprived of educational and employment opportunities because they are adorned with natural or protective hairstyles in which hair is tightly coiled, tightly curled, or worn in locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, or Afros.
• Michigan’s CROWN Act would include hair texture such as braids, locks and twists as racial traits and protect these hairstyles under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA).
• The bill is pending in the House Committee on Judiciary.
• HB 4275 Michigan's Crown Act: Pending in House Judiciary Committee

Secure MI Vote - Pending Ballot Initiative

The proposal would:

• Require voter ID for in-person voting and absentee ballot applications. Require partial Social Security numbers for voter registration
• Require voters who don’t present ID in person to present it within six days after the election for the vote to be counted
• Bar unsolicited absentee ballot applications
• Ban outside funding for elections and restrict mail-in ballots 
• Provide voters with hardships free IDs funded by a $3 million state fund
• Where it stands: The group filed late and the signatures may be reviewed after the midterm election
• Secure MI Vote Ballot Initiative (2024): Pending Michigan Secretary of State