FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2023
Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Signs Executive Directive to Expand Voting Opportunities and Update Michigan’s List of Voter Registration Agencies
Michigan has also reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to designate VA Hospitals in Saginaw and Detroit as voter registration agencies.
LANSING, Mich.—Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2023-6, which will expand access to voting information for Michiganders. The executive directive requires state departments and agencies to adopt a set of “Voting Information Best Practices.” The best practices ensure that Michiganders can easily access voter information on materials produced by all state departments and agencies.
Additionally, the executive directive updates the list of designated voter registration agencies throughout the state. This list includes, for the first time, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which has agreed to designation of its Saginaw Medical Center, Detroit Medical Center, and Detroit Regional Office official voter registration agencies who will assist veterans in the process of registering to vote.
“Voting is the lifeblood of our democracy. When more Michiganders vote, our government is more accountable to the people,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am fully committed to protecting the fundamental right to vote, making participation in our democracy more accessible, combatting misinformation, and empowering all eligible voters to make their voices heard. This executive directive will make sure every Michigan vote is cast and counted, especially those who bravely served our nation in uniform.”
“From day one, our Administration has used all available resources and authorities to promote and defend the sacred right to vote,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “Nearly three years ago, President Biden marked the 56th anniversary of Bloody Sunday by issuing the Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting, instructing federal agencies to take steps to ensure that more Americans could have their voice heard and vote counted. Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs is meeting that mandate by partnering with Michigan to allow for voter registration at VA facilities in the state. I applaud Governor Whitmer’s continued efforts to make it easier for all Americans to exercise this fundamental right to participate in our democracy. As we call on Congress to protect the right to vote, President Biden and I remain committed to bringing a whole-of-government approach to making voting more accessible for all.”
“Veterans and their families have made commitments and sacrifices to ensure the preservation of our democracy,” said Secretary of State Benson. “In turn, our state and our nation must do everything they can to honor that service by making it easy to engage in democracy and make their voices heard. I’m proud Michigan is leading the way by designating VA facilities as voter registration sites. We will actively engage veterans and their families in 2024 and beyond, meeting them where they are with what they need to participate in every election.”
“Supporting Veterans includes making sure they can participate in our democratic process by voting,” said Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tanya Bradsher. “Veterans fought for the rights and freedoms that define us all as Americans, and we are proud to be working with the state of Michigan to make sure they can enjoy those rights and freedoms here at home.”
Voting Information Best Practices
All departments and agencies must adopt, to the greatest extent possible, each of the following “Voting Information Best Practices”:
- Place a link to michigan.gov/vote, the Michigan Voter Information Center (MVIC), in the footer or pre-footer area of each department or agency website.
- Include a link to the MVIC in the footer of emails distributed to the general public.
- Include a QR code containing a link to the MVIC on printed materials that are distributed to members of the public.
- Play a message containing information about the MVIC to those who call the office and are placed on hold.
- Encourage office employees to place in the signature of their office email a link or graphic that links to the MVIC.
- Place signage containing a QR code linking to the MVIC within public-facing areas of all offices.
- Encourage and create opportunities for office employees to volunteer as nonpartisan election workers.
The executive directive identifies the following state departments and agencies as voter registration agencies:
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
- Michigan Rehabilitation Services of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Employment and Training
- Bureau of Services for Blind Persons of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Employment and Training
- Wage and Hour Division of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Bureau of Employment Relations
- Michigan Worker’s Disability Compensation Agency
- Workforce Development of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Employment and Training
- Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Finally, to ensure that veterans in Michigan can have their vote cast and counted, the Governor has officially designated the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a voter registration agency, subject to its agreement with the State of Michigan stating that the Saginaw VA Medical Center, the Detroit VA Medical Center, and the Department’s Detroit Regional Office will provide voter registration assistance. This action formalizes work over the past year between the Michigan Secretary of State and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help veterans vote at VA hospitals.
The executive directive can be viewed here.
Executive Directive to Boost Voter Registration
In 2022, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2022-04 at the 67th NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner in Detroit instructing all state departments and agencies to identify and assess potential opportunities to help eligible Michiganders register to vote and gain access to reliable information about voting. The directive asked state departments and agencies to look at ways to provide Michiganders with reliable information on voter registration and voting, including displays in public spaces, printed materials, online information, public announcements, and social media posts. It also tasked them with identifying which of their offices could help register voters by distributing vote by mail applications, helping Michiganders complete their voter registration forms, and accepting applications for voter registration. Today's executive directive is a result of those ongoing efforts.
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