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October 19, 2023
In This Issue:
Join MDCR for an educational presentation on your rights and responsibilities under the law.
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: The King Center
1107 Adrian, Jackson, MI 49203
Topics include:
- Overview of MDCR - who we are and what we do
- Your rights under state and federal civil rights law
- How to file a complaint and the investigative process
Pre-registration is required to attend. To register or request an accommodation, please contact Tiara Yakini at yakinit@michigan.gov by Friday, October 20, 2023.
(Image is the event flyer. Click here to download a PDF copy.)
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Date: Thursday, October 26, 2023
Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Location: Virtual
This event is open to the public. Download the Flyer.
Description:
Join the ADA Compliance Division for this virtual webinar as we explore topics such as inclusion with respect to disability and employment, areas that need to be strengthened to ensure full accessibility, and how intersectionality factors impact the work environment for persons with disabilities.
Want to ask specific questions? Submit questions for the panel prior to the event.
Accommodation Notice:
American Sign Language Interpretation and live captioning will be provided. Anyone who requires additional auxiliary aides or services for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures should contact Tyra Khan at khant@michigan.gov.
(Image contains MDCR logo and text: "Disability Employment Awareness Month Panel Discussion")
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 MICHIGAN CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON HOUSING DISCRIMINATION. 4-7 p.m., Nov. 8, 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School 3200 E Lafayette St. | Detroit, MI 48207. The Michigan Civil Rights Commission wants to hear your experience with housing discrimination: • When purchasing a home. • When renting a home. • When applying for a home loan. • When reviewing your credit rating.
Public Hearing on Housing Discrimination
When: Nov. 8, 2023, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School, 3200 E Lafayette St., Detroit, MI 48207
Hosted By: Michigan Civil Rights Commission
The Michigan Civil Rights Commission is seeking public testimony about experiences with discrimination in housing. If you have experienced discrimination in buying, renting, home loans, or credit rating processes, this is YOUR chance to be heard! The Commission will use this testimony to create a list of recommendations for securing fair housing in Michigan.
Download the PDF Flyer
Fair Housing Is Your Right!
The Michigan Civil Rights Commission will hold its next quarterly meeting on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 10:00 AM. The location for the event is the Crystal Center at Crystal Mountain, 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville, Michigan.
The meeting is open to the public and will include a public comment period.
For more information visit the official announcement here.
(Image is Michigan Civil Rights Commission logo)
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By Jerome Reide, J.D., Ph.D.,
MDCR Legislative Liaison
Each month, Jerome Reide, J.D., Ph.D., Legislative Liaison for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, will bring you updates and analysis of what's happening in the Michigan legislature -- news of legislation, executive orders and ballot initiatives that relate directly to the MDCR mission and impact the people we serve.
(Image is the Michigan Capitol)
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Historic Moment Captured Before Oral Arguments at Capitol
 Image is Justice Bolden, the MSC’s first Black woman Justice; Sen. Anthony, the first Black woman Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; and Rep. Tate, the first Black Speaker of the House, standing in front of a portrait of Michigan’s first Black State Legislator: William Webb Ferguson. Photo taken by Shannon Schultz, Photographer/Digital Media Specialist for Michigan Senate.
Before Michigan Supreme Court’s (MSC) annual oral argument at the State Capitol on October 6, 2023, Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, the MSC’s first Black woman Justice; Sen. Sarah Anthony, the first Black woman Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; and Rep. Joe Tate, the first Black Speaker of the House, all took a photo next to the portrait of Michigan’s first Black State Legislator: William Webb Ferguson.
"Representative Ferguson made history 133 years ago when he and his attorney, Augustus Straker, successfully appealed Ferguson v Gies, in front of the Supreme Court in this very room," Bolden said in a news release.
In the appeal of Ferguson v Gies, the Supreme Court ruled that separation by race in public places was illegal in what became known as “Michigan’s Great Civil Rights Case.” Ferguson then pursued a law career and eventually ascended to become Michigan’s first Black legislator. His portrait was dedicated in 2018.
Early Voting
 Image is an early voting sign with text: "Early voting available here."
In November 2022, the voters of Michigan overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment (Prop 2) that, among other things, provides the right to vote early before each statewide and federal election.
Early voting is the opportunity to cast a ballot in person before Election Day. For voters, the early voting experience will be like the experience of voting at a polling place on Election Day and will include the act of feeding the voter’s completed ballot into a tabulator.
Early voting will take place at “early voting sites.” An early voting site will operate similarly to an Election Day polling location while serving voters from more than one city or township. Over time, early voting sites can assist more voters than an Election Day polling location.
Michigan’s constitution requires cities and townships to offer early voting in each statewide and federal election for at least nine consecutive days, beginning on the second Saturday before the election and ending on the Sunday before the election. Each location must be open at least eight hours each day. The first election in which early voting is constitutionally required will be the 2024 presidential preference primary, but communities are encouraged to pilot early voting in 2023.
Can communities offer early voting even when it's not required?
Yes. Cities and townships have the flexibility to offer early voting in additional elections and add additional days and hours beyond what the constitution requires.
Can communities work together to offer early voting?
Yes. Communities within a county can work together or with the county to offer early voting to voters. Local election officials in each county are strongly encouraged to begin discussing plans for early voting in their community as soon as possible.
For more information: https://www.michiganvoting.org
Michigan Supreme Court Happenings
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MI Supreme Court Announces Problem-Solving Grants
On October 12, 2023, the Michigan Supreme Court announced that the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has awarded more than $18.5 million in grants for Fiscal Year 2024 to Problem-Solving Court (PSC) programs statewide. These include court initiatives related to veterans, mental health, and drug treatment. Data have consistently shown that these specialized programs contribute to less repeat crime, lower unemployment rates, and an improved quality of life for graduates.
“Problem-solving courts are all about people—people who help participants day in and day out, people who ultimately get a second chance at a successful life,” said Justice Kyra H. Bolden, who serves as the MSC liaison to PSCs. “But these judges, court staff, and participants could not possibly make a difference or find success without the vital funds we are able to secure through state and federal grant programs every year. We are deeply grateful for this continued support of our courts and, most importantly, the people they serve.”
PSC grant totals and recipients by court type:
(Image is an external view of the MI Hall of Justice)
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Michigan Supreme Court Orders Judges to Honor Pronouns of Parties in Court
On Wednesday Sept. 27, 2023, the Michigan Supreme Court ordered all judges to address people in court by their preferred pronouns or by “other respectful means.”
“We serve the entire public and are required to treat those who come before us with civility and respect,” Justice Elizabeth Welch said. “The gender identity of a member of the public is a part of their individual identity, regardless of whether others agree or approve.”
“Courts must use the individual’s name, the designated salutation or personal pronouns, or other respectful means that is not inconsistent with the individual’s designated salutation or personal pronouns,” the Supreme Court said. The rule was approved, 5-2.
The rule takes effect Jan. 1, 2024. The Supreme Court will still allow judges to refer to parties by their role in the case, such as attorney or plaintiff, followed by a last name and avoid pronouns.
Read the MI Supreme Court Order
(Image is the MI Supreme Court Seal)
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