Michigan Voting Project

The Michigan Voting Project is a student organization @umichlaw that engages with the fields of election, campaign and voting rights law.

[Jocelyn Benson @JocelynBenson]

Concerned about the state of democracy today? There is something you can do about it! Sign up here to serve as an election worker in your community: enforce the law, protect the vote, and ensure the integrity of our elections. #DefendDemocracy

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table at the student org fair! If you missed us, check LawOpen for our listserv sign-up list. And keep an eye out for info about our first GBM!

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

Despite this, women of color continued to face various obstacles to voting for decades to come. Please see this article from @BetterDays2020 for more about the history of Native American and women's voting rights in Utah. #UnfinishedWork https://t.co/AKJvqYl25b

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

Feb 12, 1870: Pre-statehood Utah passed “An Act Conferring upon Women the Elective Franchise,” granting women suffrage in the territory. In 1887, the federal anti-polygamy Edmunds-Tucker Act revoked women's suffrage in Utah until the state ratified its 1st constitution in 1896.

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

A little late but…Feb 10, 1989: Ron Brown is elected as the chairperson of the @DNC, becoming the first Black person to hold the office. He later served as the first Black Secretary of @CommerceGov under Pres @BillClinton. #UnfinishedWork #BlackHistoryMonth

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

Today, in at least 2 states, 1 in 5 Black citizens remain disenfranchised. For more, read the @SentencingProj report on felony disenfranchisement and its disproportion impact on people of color. https://t.co/eypFuYLMPk

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

Feb 6, 1866: Frederick Douglas—representing the National Convention of Colored Men—met with Pres. Johnson to argue for Black suffrage. Johnson refused to entertain it. Congress overcame a veto from Johnson and began enfranchising Black men less than a year later. #UnfinishedWork

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

The poll tax was one of many obstacles erected to prevent Black Americans from exercising their right to vote. Poll taxes remained constitutional nationwide until the 24th Amendment was ratified in 1964.

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

Feb 5, 1945: Georgia abolishes its poll tax. SCOTUS held that the state's poll tax was constitutional in 1937, but a new governor elected in 1942 ushered in a wave of reforms, including abolishing the poll tax. 🍑 #UnfinishedWork

[Ari Berman @AriBerman]

106 bills introduced in 28 states already this year to restrict voting access finds @BrennanCenter

That's 3x as high as last year

"These bills are unmistakable response to the unfounded and dangerous lies about fraud that followed the 2020 election."

https://t.co/0WwCkuDEmy

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

https://t.co/A1Kyc9Zm6F

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

Feb 4, 1913: Rosa Parks (née McCauley) is born. Best known for protesting segregation, Ms. Parks’ activism began with her desire to realize voting rights. Appalled her brother’s inability to vote—despite serving in WW2—she attended her first NAACP meeting in 1943. #UnfinishedWork

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

It’s never too early to learn about Ms. Parks. “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks (Young Readers Edition)” by @JeanneTheoharis and @brandycolbert is available for in store/curbside pick up or delivery from Black Stone Bookstore & Cultural Center. #SupportBlackBusinesses

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

Feb 3, 1870: The 15A is (finally) ratified. It guarantees that the right to “vote shall not be denied or abridged...on account of race [or] color.” See this report by @BrennanCenter to learn how the 15A’s promise remains unfulfilled. #UnfinishedWork https://t.co/etq5uIuza6

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

For more, please read the full USCCR report about the state of minority voting rights access. https://t.co/vf2y4lyEY6

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

Feb 2, 2018: @RevDrBarber testifies to the @USCCRgov : NC’s GOP instructing its BOE members to make party line decisions in drafting early voting plans “is another example of [a] blatant...attempt to block the power of the African-American and minority vote.” #UnfinishedWork

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

For more, see Dr. King’s own words in the @nytimes archive and visit @thekingcenter to learn how we all can continue Dr. King’s legacy. (3/3) https://t.co/2rrU3moTut

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

Feb 1, 1965: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and 250+ other activists march in @CityofSelma to protest the slow voter registration procedures, ridiculous “literacy” test, and system of violence and intimidation that prevented Black residents from registering to vote. (1/3)

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

Local police stormed the peaceful demonstration and arrested all its participants. From his cell, Dr. King wrote “there are more Negroes in jail with me than there are on the voting rolls." #MLK #Selma #UnfinishedWork (2/3)

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

With that, we thought that the first day of #BlackHistoryMonth is the perfect time to start! Please check back here tomorrow for the first installment of #UnfinishedWork . See you then! 3/3

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

MVP is excited to announce our new series on voting rights history. #UnfinishedWork will celebrate the achievements of voting rights champions, commemorate historical obstacles, and emphasize the need for further progress. 1/3

[Michigan Voting Project @MVPumich]

Stay tuned for daily(ish) posts highlighting important voting rights events that correspond to that date. Please feel free to reply to any of our posts should we miss something! 2/3