In response to a proposed change to Michigan’s voter ID law, Reverend Dr. Steve Bland, a member of People For the American Way’s African American Ministers In Action (AAMIA), released the following statement:

“This proposed change to the law furthers an attack on one of the core tenants of our democracy: the right of every eligible American to cast a ballot. We know that strict photo ID requirements disproportionately disenfranchise African Americans, amounting to a poll tax like those from the past, seeking to suppress our voices by making it harder for too many in our community to vote. Given that voter fraud is virtually unheard of, particularly regarding voter ID, it’s clear that the main motivation of those backing this new provision is to harm our democracy, not protect it. I urge the members of our state Senate to vote against this change.”

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.

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