Detroit Free Press
John E. Johnson Jr. Op-ed contributor
Voting is a civil right. Exercising that right is the only way to guarantee that the protections we enjoy today are not stripped away tomorrow.
Unfortunately, exercising that right is not as easy for all as it is for some.
Michigan has long led the way in protecting the civil rights of its people. We were the first state in the nation to enshrine civil rights protections in our constitution, and to create a constitutionally mandated Civil Rights Commission to oversee and help guarantee those rights.
For more than 60 years, the commission has been out in front on cutting-edge issues like housing discrimination, educational equity, protecting the rights of people with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community. The commission has now staked out new territory in the fight for equity, declaring voting is a civil right.
In the face of escalating efforts to silence some and discourage others, we must do what we can to ensure that all registered voters in Michigan are able to cast their ballots.
Reducing barriers to voting
While Michigan has made progress in the effort to protect voting rights for some marginalized communities, others in our state face significant barriers to their fundamental right to vote.
Individuals who speak a language other than English, returning citizens and people with disabilities continue to run up against significant roadblocks in exercising their right to vote – physical barriers, language barriers and barriers bred of ignorance and stigma. Complacency among those of us who don’t face these barriers allows the injustice to continue unquestioned.
It is long past time to question, to scrutinize, to advocate and to demand that all Michigan residents who meet the legal requirements have the right to vote, have access to the polls and to an accessible ballot.
Who can vote?
Do you have a disability? You can vote. You have the right to vote in person at your polling place, and to apply for a standard absentee ballot or an accessible ballot.
- All polling places should have a voting station that will allow you to vote while seated
- All polling places should have a voter assist terminal
- All voters with disabilities can have the help of another person in casting their ballot
Are you a returning citizen or have a past conviction? You can vote. Individuals convicted of a felony automatically have their right to vote restored once they have served their time. You can vote if:
You are in or out of jail waiting to be sentenced.
You are on parole or probation.
Are you homeless? You can register and you can vote. If you meet the 30-day residency requirement, you can register to vote by listing any place you typically stay, including a street corner or park. The address can also be a local shelter, advocacy organization or someone who accepts mail for you.
Do you speak a language other than English? You can vote. You have the right to bring an interpreter with you to the polls. You can ask anyone to serve as your interpreter, unless they are someone who could influence your vote.
Make a plan, get to the polls
And don’t forget that every Michigan resident who meets the legal requirements for voting has the right to:
- Same-day voter registration
- Early voting
- Absentee ballots
- Voting by drop box
- Accessible voting, including physical polling places, ballot and machines
The November general election is almost over. I hope you've made a plan to vote. It is also time to make sure that every voter among your family and friends knows how, when and where to vote, that they have the right to vote, and that they have the right to accessible voting. Voting is a civil right, and voting is the most important action you can take to preserve all of our civil rights.
To learn more about your right to vote, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/VOTE.
John E. Johnson Jr. is the Executive Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.
