Voting Rights & Democracy
Protecting democracy is not just one issue among many for me — it has been a central focus of my public service for over a decade.
As Chairman of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, I helped lead one of the most transparent and community-driven redistricting processes in the country, following Michigan voters' overwhelming decision to end partisan gerrymandering. I was one of the Commission’s most vocal and outspoken members, consistently defending fair representation, transparency, and public trust even under intense political pressure.
I also helped defend the Commission’s work in four separate federal lawsuits, all of which reinforced the integrity and legality of Michigan’s democratic systems. That experience gave me firsthand knowledge of how critical fair maps, public participation, and strong voting rights protections are to a functioning democracy.
I believe Michigan must continue leading the nation in expanding and protecting voting rights. That includes protecting early voting, expanding ballot access, supporting multilingual voting resources, strengthening election security, and ensuring every community has fair representation in government.
This work is especially important in light of recent federal developments, such as the Louisiana v. Callais decision, which weakened federal protections under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. As federal protections continue to erode, states like Michigan must act to defend voting rights at the state level.
Last term, the Michigan Senate passed a Michigan Voting Rights Act that would have strengthened protections for voters and communities of color, but the legislation stalled in the House during the chaotic lame duck session. That failure showed exactly why we need leaders in Lansing who know how to not only support good policy, but also build coalitions and get legislation across the finish line. I bring the direct experience, statewide perspective, and technical understanding needed to help pass these reforms.
I also believe one of the greatest threats to our democracy today is the spread of misinformation that erodes public trust in elections and government institutions. This is something I have dealt with personally. As a member of a community that can sometimes be more politically divided, I have spent years having direct conversations with residents about election integrity, misinformation, and the importance of protecting democratic institutions. My experience defending Michigan’s redistricting process and election systems has shown me that transparency, public engagement, and education are essential to rebuilding trust.
My commitment to voting rights did not begin with the Commission and it will not end there. I actively supported and canvassed for major democracy reform ballot initiatives including Proposal 2018-2 creating the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, Proposal 2018-3 expanding voting rights, and Proposal 2022-2 further strengthening ballot access and election protections. I also continue to support current reform efforts such as the Money Out of Politics initiative and Rank MI Vote because I believe Michigan’s democracy should be transparent, representative, and accountable to residents — not special interests or political insiders.