During the 2022 midterm elections, a proposal to expand voting rights in Michigan was on the state’s ballot. Proposal 2, the Promote the Vote ballot initiative, would strengthen mail-in voting and early voting and defend against attacks on the democratic process. But before voters had their say on the matter, Republicans were trying their best to keep the measure off the ballot. After they failed to do so and voters subsequently supported the amendment by a near 20-point margin, state Republicans are back almost a year later, trying again to block the now-approved and enacted proposal via a recently filed lawsuit.
Proposal 2 contained a slew of provisions advancing voting rights in Michigan. The constitutional amendment required military and overseas ballots to be counted if they were postmarked by Election Day, mandated nine days of early voting, expanded drop boxes, provided free postage for absentee applications and ballots, allowed Michiganders to sign up to be permanent mail-in voters and expanded ways for voters to prove their identity.
Not only did Prop 2 strengthen voting rights, but it also protected democracy against growing right-wing threats in the state. The provisions provided that only election officials may conduct post-election audits, required canvas boards to certify election results based only on the official records of votes cast and allowed private funding for election administration.