You might not be aware, but Michigan officials and the federal government are currently in a huge fight over your personal data.

The Trump administration is trying to access sensitive details from every registered voter in the state under the guise of election security.

Michigan officials, though, say the request goes too far and could put residents’ privacy at risk.

Today, The ’Gander’s Kyle Kaminski has more on this dispute, which could make it all the way to the US Supreme Court.

Plus: Why Michigan parents are fighting back against school vouchers.

Bills restricting ICE actions advance in state Senate (Michigan Advance): The Michigan Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee advanced two bills along party lines that would restrict certain federal immigration enforcement actions, including banning enforcement in protected locations and limiting mask use by agents. The bills now head to the full Senate, though their prospects in the Republican-controlled House are uncertain.

Michigan launches new prison initiative amid scrutiny (Bridge Michigan): The Michigan Department of Corrections has launched a “safe prisons initiative” to address rising assaults. The effort comes in the wake of ongoing concerns from corrections officers and inmates, as well as a state House hearing last month, about prison conditions and security levels.

Michigan Senate passes resolution condemning Iran war (WCMU): Michigan’s Senate Democrat majority passed a resolution blaming rising fuel costs on federal actions, including conflict with Iran, and urging the Trump administration to reverse them. The measure, led by Darrin Camilleri, also comes as lawmakers consider options like freezing utility rates or pausing gas taxes.

(The ‘Gander TikTok)

A lot of Michiganders probably haven’t heard this news, but for the last few months, the Trump administration has been trying to get its hands on the personal data of every registered voter in Michigan.

Your name, your address, your driver’s license number, your voting record, your social security number, all of it. The official explanation from the Department of Justice? Well, they say it’s just to make sure that non-citizens aren’t on the voter rolls. But here’s the thing. The evidence doesn’t back that up. And a lot of people are starting to think there’s a very different reason for why this is happening.

Here’s the deal: The DOJ has now sued Michigan, and more than 29 other states, demanding their full, unredacted voter rolls, which are essentially a list of registered voters in each state. Michigan already shares the public version of that data. What the feds want on top of that is the sensitive stuff. Social Security numbers, license numbers, and full dates of birth. Michigan said no, and a federal judge agreed with Michigan last month, ruling that there’s no federal law that actually requires states to hand over that information.

The DOJ appealed. And now Michigan’s case is moving through the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on an accelerated schedule, with legal experts saying it could be the first voter data case to reach the US Supreme Court.

So what? Well, Michigan is emerging as one of the last lines of defense against the federal government getting access to the private data of millions of voters. Data that experts say could be used to remove people from the rolls, fuel false fraud narratives before November, or build something that’s never existed before: A national voter database controlled directly by the White House.

Get the full story from political correspondent Kyle Kaminski in this edition of “so what, Michigan?“

MEJC community members in Lansing demand Gov. Gretchen Whitmer meet with them and opt out of vouchers on March 19, 2026. (Courtesy of Michigan Education Justice Coalition)

By Lucas Henkel

“Public funds for public schools—no vouchers here!”

Those chants could be heard throughout the halls of the George W. Romney Building in Lansing last week, as a group of over 50 local educators, school board members, parents, students, and members of several education advocacy organizations packed in its lobby.

Standing shoulder to shoulder, the group demanded that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer say no to the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), which was part of the Republican-backed reconciliation bill signed by President Trump last summer, and is part of his current administration’s larger plan to remake public education nationwide.

Local news is essential for democracy.

Our reporting cuts through false narratives, documents what’s actually happening in our communities, and provides voters with the clear, factual information they need—especially when the stakes are high.

By Abby Deatrick

Organizers are planning a third round of No Kings demonstrations nationwide on March 28 to advocate for democratic values and against authoritarianism and the second presidency of President Donald Trump. 

More than 80 protests, marches, and rallies are planned throughout Michigan. Here’s a look at some of the largest:

📅 Saturday (March 28)

Detroit, 11 a.m.

Sign up for details.

Grand Rapids, 11 a.m. (Protest Sing Along)

Calder Plaza
320 Ottawa Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Lansing, 12 p.m.

Rally and sidewalk march at the Michigan State Capitol with speakers, organizations, and donation collection.
Michigan State Capitol
100 N Capitol Ave
Lansing, MI 48933

Ann Arbor, 12 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Park Pool & Ice Arena
2150 Jackson Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Grand Rapids, 1 p.m. (Rally)

Attendees can donate food and hygiene products to benefit support organizations in Kent County
Rosa Parks Circle
88 Monroe Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Traverse City, 1 p.m.

F&M Park
716 E State St
Traverse City, MI 49686

Ann Arbor, 2 p.m.

Liberty Street Post Office
200 E Liberty St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Detroit, 3 p.m.

Gather in the park for a short rally before marching up Woodward Avenue.
Grand Circus Park
2026 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48226

📣 Have an event to add? Email Abigail Deatrick, The ’Gander’s state organizing coordinator, with details. Please send submissions at least one week before the event.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from Kyle Kaminski, Lucas Henkel, and Abby Deatrick. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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