Promote the Vote - Vote YES on Proposal 3
Promote the Vote - Updating Michigan’s archaic voting laws to create a voting system that works for everybody.
The Sierra Club of Michigan and its 150,000 members and supporters across the state have endorsed Proposal 3 from Promote the Vote Michigan, the nonpartisan grassroots initiative to create a common sense voting system that works for everybody through a state constitutional amendment to establish seven new voting rights that will update our voting laws and stop unnecessary obstacles to voting.
What is the problem?
Michigan lags many states when it comes to voting access. Michigan has fallen behind with some of the most restrictive processes for voting with outdated laws where no significant updates have been made since 1975, when citizens first got the ability to register to vote while getting their driver's licenses from the Secretary of State. With no early voting, no rights to audit elections and early deadlines to register to vote the voices of Michigan’s residents are suppressed, making it more difficult to elect environmental champions and hold our current officials accountable.
What does this mean to the Sierra Club and our mission?
In order to make the changes necessary to address issues like climate change and industrial pollution, everyone needs to be able to participate in the democratic process. Fair and equitable access to the polls will ensure all Michiganders can use their voices to fight to protect our communities. When more people vote we have a better chance at electing officials who will address the Sierra Club’s issues. To protect our environment, we must protect our democracy.
What is the Promote the Vote solution?
- A YES vote on Proposal 3 will begin to update Michigan’s voting laws by amending our state constitution to include seven new voting rights. This will make voting easier for those who are up against environmental injustices - including low-income folks and communities of color that are often on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Michiganders have the opportunity this fall to improve voting rights for everyone.
- It’s time Michigan’s voting system catches up to the rest of the country so we have the ability to elect officials who will protect our air and water and keep Michigan pure!
- Most of these reforms in this constitutional amendment have been in existence for decades in other states.
GET INVOLVED - Take Action!
- Contact voters - your friends and neighbors!
- Write Letters to the Editor.
- Look for upcoming events on the Sierra Club’s calendar and Meet-up.
- Contact: Amanda Robert, amanda.robert@sierraclub.org, (248)508-2854, to join Sierra Club’s actions.
- Get involved with Promote the Vote.
- Donate: To help the campaign make sure they reach all voters to tell them about this important initiative.
- Request a Speaker - Do you know of a group that would benefit to hear from Promote the Vote about the proposal to update Michigan’s voting laws to create a system that works for everyone?
- Stay Informed - Learn more about the fight to expand voting rights and how you can help.
- Stay Connected - Follow Promote the Vote on Facebook and Twitter.
GET INVOLVED - Read
- Facts about Proposal 3.
- Breakdown of the Proposal (video).
- Proposal 3 makes common sense updates to our voting system in Michigan to reduce barriers to voting and ensure every vote is secure and counted.
- These measures will improve the accuracy of voter registration records and will also reduce long lines on Election Day.
- These common sense reforms will reduce barriers to voting– whether someone lives in a rural area, suburban town or crowded city.
- With so many Americans working so hard, we should have a voting system that works for them.
- This ballot proposal offers a common-sense approach to safeguarding our elections, puts voters first, and removes barriers for working families.
By making voting more accessible, secure and fair, our democracy will better serve all Americans and our laws will better reflect the will of the people.
- Right to vote a secret ballot
- Right for military and overseas voters to be mailed a ballot at least 45 days prior to election
- Right to vote straight party
- Right to automatically register to vote when obtaining a driver’s license or person ID at the SOS, unless the voter declines
- Right to register to vote by mail up until the 15th day before an election
- Right to register to vote in person at anytime, with proof of residency required within 14 days of election
- Right to vote an absentee ballot, by mail or in person, without a reason
- Right to have election results audited to ensure integrity and accuracy
