FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Michigan Election Coalition
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, 517-974-6302
LANSING – Today the Michigan Election Coalition publicly thanked Gov. Rick Snyder for vetoing voter suppression legislation. House Bill 5061, and Senate Bills 754 and 803 would have caused unnecessary confusion and discouraged thousands of eligible voters, especially the poor and elderly, from participating in the 2012 elections.
“On the eve of Independence Day, this is a huge victory for our American democracy,” said Sue Smith, President of the League of Women Voters of Michigan. “We want to thank Gov. Snyder for doing the right thing by vetoing this unfair and unjust legislation. While today’s action is a step in the right direction, the League of Women Voters will continue to educate voters about their rights to make sure every eligible voter can make their voice heard at the ballot box this November.”
The Michigan Election Coalition (MEC) has been leading the charge against voter suppression legislation in Lansing. The MEC is comprised of dozens of organizations that represent members from a wide geographic and demographic range across the state.
“Gov. Snyder’s veto pen should send a strong message to Lansing politicians that it’s time to halt these voter suppression efforts once and for all,” said Melanie McElroy, Executive Director of Common Cause Michigan. “Our elected leaders need to stop the partisan games, and start working together to expand access to voting in Michigan.”
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