By Erin Weber, Senior Manager for Strategy and Policy
Gender justice voters — voters showing up for a care economy, for safe and inclusive schools, for reproductive freedom, paid leave, and more — have led the way in Michigan for multiple cycles now. After cementing a blue trifecta in the 2022 elections — where each chamber of state government has Democratic majorities with a Democrat serving as governor — the state has shown what state governments can do when they’re not stymied by MAGA extremists. They repealed several harmful abortion restrictions, making it easier for new clinics to open and allowing higher education institutions’ pregnant and parenting student services offices to provide referrals for abortion services.
Michigan has also passed stronger anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQI+ community, ensuring protections stay in place and expanding the current policy to gender identity and expression. All this in addition to becoming the first in decades to repeal the “right to work” law that hobbled unions — a victory that will strengthen the organizing power of working women.
In order to hold onto these successes in Michigan and expand that power at the federal level, we need to ensure a Democratic candidate Elissa Slotkin wins the seat left open by the retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow and win key down ballot races for state legislature, state Supreme Court, and more.
Voters in Michigan are stepping up to make their voices heard in this election. Less than a week from election day, more than 2.4 million votes have already been cast by Michiganders across the state. That’s over a third of all registered voters! The City of Detroit saw a record-breaking 2,504 voters in Detroit the first weekend, a significant increase from 2020. Additionally, in Michigan’s second Presidential election with no-reason absentee voting, Michigan issued over 2.1 million postal ballots.
There is so much at stake, and the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund’s partner in Michigan, Mothering Justice Action Fund, has been essential part of this progress and of this outreach to gender justice voters — particularly Black Women in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties — to ensure they understand he critical issues on the ballot and the importance of turning out to vote in this election.
Black women in particular are a strong demographic historically overlooked in voter outreach. But their power should not be underestimated: 93% of Black women voted for Biden in the 2020 election. Our call program here at NWLC AF, to connect with voters on key issues and Kamala Harris’ track record of leadership, has shown that Black respondents and female-identifying respondents continue to show the most consistent support for Harris.
Mothering Justice Action Fund’s work has paid off in the state legislature, and a win for Democrats up and down the ticket could cement exciting wins for women and families. Both in Lansing and Washington, DC, Mothering Justice Action Fund has been organizing their Mamas Caucuses at the state and federal level to pass their Mamas Agenda, which advocates for reproductive justice, child care, basic needs security, and time off to care.
Thanks to their work mobilizing and educating voters in Michigan, keeping the blue trifecta would give legislators the opportunity to pass powerful pending legislation like:
- The Family Leave Optimal Coverage Act (FLOC) to provide a statewide comprehensive paid family and medical leave benefit.
- The Child Care for All package in the Michigan Legislature – including the Working Parents Tax Credit, expanded tax subsidies for child care providers, and needed adjustments to child care licensing requirements – to make child care more affordable for parents and help providers pay staff higher wages.
- State House Bills 5435 and 5436 to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control and require health insurance providers to fully cover it.
- State Senate bills 401-404 to expand access to the ballot box and improve election data.
A win for Kamala Harris and Elissa Slotkin for President and Senator would greatly improve the chances of passing Mothering Justice Action Fund’s Momnibus package of federal policies, including improvements to social programs, better funding for maternal health, and expanded investments in economic security.
This election means a lot for Michiganders’ futures to control their bodies, participate fully in democracy, and attain safety and economic security for themselves and their families.
If you live in Michigan, there’s so much you can do, too.
- First, check your voter registration, polling location, and make your plan to vote here: https://www.voteamerica.org/how-to-vote/michigan/
- Vote Early in person: vote early by November 3rd
- Vote by mail: Make sure your ballot is postmarked by Election Day, Nov 5th, or just hand deliver to a certified local election office here.
- Vote on Election Day, November 5th: Find your polling place here.
- Talk to your friends about how to vote in Michigan, and read and share our Michigan voter guide to amplify the issues at stake this election and which candidates are fighting for freedom, equity, and opportunity.
- Talking to voters is always the most effective way to increase turnout and build power. Canvass for a candidate you believe in, phonebank or host a fundraiser party.