Lawsuit Filed by Voting Rights Group Challenges Michigan’s Law on Voter Transportation

Voting Rights Law Firm Sues to Overturn Michigan Law Banning Voter Transportation

A voting rights law firm has filed a lawsuit in an effort to overturn a decades-old Michigan law that prohibits the hiring of vehicles to transport voters to the polls, unless they are physically unable to walk. The lawsuit argues that Michigan is the only state with such a ban on voter transportation and that the law’s sole purpose is to suppress voter turnout.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include Priorities USA, a voting rights group. Aneesa McMillan, a representative from Priorities USA, highlighted the disparity between Michigan and other states, where churches can hire buses to assist their congregations in voting and ride-hailing apps can offer promotions to encourage people to go to the polls. McMillan pointed out that laws like this often have a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, communities of color, and those with limited access to transportation.

This is not the first time the state’s law has been challenged. In 2020, Priorities USA brought a similar case to federal court, but the law was upheld. Despite this past ruling, the current lawsuit seeks to challenge the law again. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

In response to the lawsuit, Nessel’s office suggested that it may be more effective for the plaintiffs to pursue a change in the law through the state legislature rather than through litigation. However, the voting rights law firm believes that a legal challenge is necessary to rectify what they see as an unjust and discriminatory law.

The ban on hiring voter transportation in Michigan has raised concerns about the accessibility of the voting process for certain individuals and communities. Transportation barriers can pose significant challenges to exercising the right to vote, particularly for those living in areas with limited public transportation options.

As the lawsuit progresses, it will likely spark a broader conversation about voter access and the impact of transportation barriers on voter participation. Advocates for voting rights argue that laws like the one in Michigan hinder the ability of certain groups to exercise their fundamental right to vote, while proponents of the law contend that it is necessary to prevent voter fraud.

Ultimately, the outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching implications for voter transportation laws not only in Michigan but also in other states facing similar challenges.

Original Story at www.michiganradio.org – 2023-08-18 02:02:00