News & Commentary

Michiganders will decide this November who will serve on the Michigan Supreme Court. Your vote matters because the Michigan Supreme Court has the highest legal authority in the state. Their decisions shape our civil rights and liberties, including reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, disability rights, privacy rights, and more.   Unlike the U.S. Supreme Court justices, who are appointed by the president, the people decide who serves on the Michigan Supreme Court. This year, we have the opportunity to elect two justices to the Michigan Supreme Court. You can do so by voting in the nonpartisan section of your ballot (see the back of your ballot).

In 2016, I made a decision to put my money where my mouth is. I saw my online community making posts spreading misinformation – and others asking what they could do, how they could get involved to protect our democracy from behind their keyboards. I knew I had to show my kids that I could do more th

As someone who has dealt with a significant physical disability my entire life, I don’t like asking for help, even though I sometimes need it. Whether I’m using my cane to knock down a can from a grocery store shelf beyond my reach or going to a polling place to cast my vote, I want to do things for

How you can help remove barriers to the ballot box

Michigan lawmakers are fulfilling the promise of democracy by passing laws needed to expand access to the ballot box and guarantee elections remain fair. Now, it is up to the rest of us to help move that mandate forward by learning how to engage with local election officials to support city and coun

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (ACLU) commends Oakland County voters for embracing the ACLU’s Smart Justice campaign goals, which include ending mass incarceration and advancing racial justice in the criminal legal system.  Karen McDonald defeated Republican candidate Lin Goetz.  

With all the attention being placed on the presidential election and other high-profile races under way, there is an important civil liberties issue on the ballot that should not be overlooked. I’m talking about Proposal 2, which seeks to amend the Michigan Constitution to require that law enforcement agencies obtain a search warrant to access a person’s electronic data and electronic communications. 

Making your voice heard at the ballot box matters. For a transgender person, voting can be intimidating and sometimes humiliating because poll workers often don’t understand what it means to be transgender, and what the law says. The good news is that during this election season, transgender people, like other voters, have options available that allow them to vote several ways. The important thing is that you know what those options are, and what rights you have. 

When the ACLU of Michigan People Power Tour packs its virtual bags and rolls into Berrien County for an online event this Tuesday, voting rights and reforming the criminal legal system are expected to be high on the list of issues discussed in this Lake Michigan shoreline community.