Advocacy 2025
The League of Women Voters of Michigan often takes positions on legislative or citizen initiatives and other proposed governmental policy or regulatory decisions. If an initiative reaches a legislative committee, a voting body or other decision makers, the League may take action (testimony, letters, phone calls, public statements, etc). The lack of public action is not indicative of the numerous decisions to support or oppose an issue that the League makes on a regular basis.
MAR 8, 2025 KEEP SAME SEX MARRIAGE
LWVMI voted to oppose HB 28, a resolution to ask the US Supreme Court to overturn Same Sex Marriage.
MAR 8, 2025 SUPPORT FOR BLOCKING LAWMAKERS FROM SIGNING NDAs
The League supports HB 5052-53 which would block state lawmakers and their staffs from signing nondisclosure agreements based on information they obtained through their official capacity after years of political tension over economic development deals and severance packages.
MAR 8, 2025 SUPPORT FOR ETHICS BILLS
LWVMI supports SB 99-101 which is a package of ethics bills stipulating reporting requirements for gifts, etc. to Michigan legislators.
MAR 8, 2025 PROVIDE DEFENSE ASSISTANCE TO INDIGENT JUVENILES
LWVMI supports SB 91 and HB 4070 which would expand the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission’s duties to include youth in the juvenile justice system. LWVMI submitted a support “card” for this legislation to the House Judiciary Committee meeting on March 12, 2025.
MAR 8, 2025 KEEP EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER
The League opposes HB 4138-40 which would repeal the Extreme Risk Protection order passed last session, which prevents an at-risk buyer from purchasing or owning firearms (also known as the “Red Flag” law).
MAR 5, 2025 ACTION ALERT: URGE LEGISLATORS TO OPPOSE CITIZENSHIP DOCUMENTION REQUIRED TO VOTE
LWVMI asked voters to urge State Legislators to oppose passage of HJRB which would amend Michigan Constitution to require citizenship verification. This amendment would require a birth certificate and other documents to justify your name change (marriage license, adoption certificate, divorce decree, etc). Take action here
MAR 4, 2025 TESTIMONY BEFORE ELECTIONS INTEGRITY COMMITTEE: HJRB
The LWVMI submitted testimony to the House Elections Integrity Committee concerning the resolution that would require documentary proof of citizenship in order to vote. This law would disenfranchise millions of voters, especially those (i.e. married women) who changed their name due to a life event. Read the testimony here.
MAR 4, 2025 HJRB WOULD DISENFRANCHISE MILLIONS OF MICHIGAN VOTERS
“House Joint Resolution B is a direct threat to millions of Michiganders’ voting rights and we demand that our lawmakers oppose it. The resolution is a destructive, unworkable policy that would disenfranchise countless voters and be a logistical nightmare to implement – as has already been proven in the handful of other states that implemented similar policies.” Read the letter here.
FEB 14, 2025 SUPPORT FOR LAME DUCK SESSION RULE CHANGE
The LWVMI voted to support House Joint Resolution to amend the Michigan Constitution to require a 2/3 majority vote for bills to pass in a Lame Duck Session (the legislative session that occurs between a legislative election and before the beginning of the new session).
FEB 14, 2025 HOLD OFF ON LOBBYING!
The LWVMI voted to support HB 4062-4064 which would establish a time limit of 2 years before certain elected officials and members of the executive branch can become lobbyists after they leave elected office.
FEB 12, 2025 OPPOSITION TO RULE CHANGES FOR IMMIGRATION LAWS
The League voted to oppose House Resolution 19 which would add new stipulations to the House rules when dealing with an appropriation bill requiring compliance with immigration laws.
FEB 8, 2025 CITIZENSHIP ALREADY REQUIRED TO VOTE
The LWVMI Board voted to oppose House Resolution (HJR)B which would require proof of citizenship in order to vote. Because a voter must indicate citizenship at time of registration (under penalty of perjury for falsifying), this would be a burden to people who do not have documentation readily available. A birth certificate, marriage certificate, name change court document, divorce judgement and any other document that may affect a name change may be necessary.
FEB 8, 2O25 SUPPORT FOR FOIA FOR LEGISLATORS AND GOVERNOR
For years, the League has supported bills that make the Michigan Governor and Legislator subject to FOIA rules, and we did so again by voting to support of SB 1 and 2 that were introduced early in the 2025 session.
FEB 8, 2025 KEEP CLEAN ENERGY IN THE UPPER PENINSULA
The League voted to oppose HB 4007 that would leave the U.P. behind in Michigan’s clean energy transition. Instead of embracing the new jobs, bill savings, and health benefits of clean energy, this bill sides with fossil fuel companies and attempts to exempt 13 methane gas plants from the state’s 2023 clean energy laws.
