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.
MAY 9, 2025 DONATIONS FROM UTILITY COMPANIES
LWVMI supports HBs 4381-4384 which would prohibit a political action committee from receiving contributions from utility companies or a contractor or prospective contractor under state contract. The bills would also prohibit the use of revenues from utility companies as a donation to a 501c4 that engages in campaign or lobbying activities.
MAY 9, 2025 KEEPING THE VOTER ROLES UPDATED
LWVMI supports HBs 4461-63 that would strengthen Michigan’s ability to keep the voter rolls updated, help election officials more efficiently identify and remove ineligible voter registrations, etc.
MAY 9 2025 NO TAMPERING WITH ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
LWVMI opposes HR 91, a resolution that would endorse the President’s policies to increase the nation’s energy infrastructure and security which have facilitated emergency permitting for Enbridge Line 5
APR 25, 2025 BILLS WOULD PENALIZE ORGANIZATIONS WHO ASSIST IMMIGRANTS
LWVMI opposes House Bills 4336-4342, which would impose penalties on local jurisdictions regarding perceived non-cooperation with federal immigration authorities, and would prohibit “non-qualified aliens” from accessing social services.
APRIL 23, 2025 ACTION ALERT – OPPOSE ANTI-CLEAN ENERGY BILLS
The League urges those who support a clean environment to contact their MI Representatives and urge a no vote on HB 4007, HB 4027, HB 4028 and HB 4283, all of which are attacks on Michigan’s 2023 landmark Clean Energy Bills. Click here to take action.
APR 21, 2025 LEAGUE OPPOSES DPOC PROPOSAL
LWVMI voted to oppose the ballot proposal to amend the MI constitution to require documentary proof of a voter’s citizenship and to modify voter identification requirements. This would be retroactive for current voters and new voters. Also requires a photo ID when voting in all elections with a provision to provide access to no-cost ID. The League believes this is an unnecessary roadblock for voters who do not have easy access to the documentation.
APR 18, 2025 COMMENTS SUBMITTED RE: SUMMARY OF BALLOT PROPOSAL
In a statement to the Michigan Board of State Canvassers regarding the Documentary Proof of Citizenship Ballot Proposal’s 100 word summary, the League advocated for more clarity on the facts that voters must appear in person to present their paperwork, and that multiple pieces of documentation may be required. See the comments here.
APR 12, 2025 VOTER REGISTRATION OPPORTUNITY
The League supports HB 4132 that would make voter registration available at the same time that citizens would apply for a hunting or fishing license.
APR 12, 2025 PAY EQUITY PACKAGE
The League supports HB 4288-4297 that would prevent discrimination based on sex in hiring , employment and wage practices
APR 12, 2025 REMOVE CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE
LWVMI supports HB 4195 that removes the citizenship or legal presence requirement for obtaining a driver’s license.
APR 12, 2025 OPPOSE ANTI-VOTER BILL
The League opposed SB 120 that would require proof of identity and state residence after voting using an affidavit of identity.
APR 12, 2025 SUPPORT BRITE PACKAGE
The League supports HB 4268-73 which would bring reforms in integrity, transparency and ethics concerning public disclosure of financial information for 501c4 and 527 organizations, limiting leadership to one PAC with criminal penalties if violated and lobbying guidelines for legislative staff.
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.
