The increase in voter registration in 2018 led to dramatic changes in gender representation in the Michigan government. Michigan elected its second female Attorney General in state history, and first openly gay top-elected official. Women lawmakers constitute 39.2% of the Michigan Legislature - the 16th highest in the country and more than double the percentage in 2016, when women made up about 19.6% of the Michigan House and Senate.

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However, voter turnout is another story:

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• In 2022, Michigan voters ages 18-29 turned out at a rate of 37%, which is higher than any other state. But that still means that 63% of young registered voters didn't vote!

• In the 2024 general election, only 47% of Detroit’s registered voters actually voted, well below the record-breaking state average of a whopping 79%. Detroit is also the nation’s largest Black-majority city. 

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Michigan shows that improving access to voter registration matters. However, we still have a ways to go in Michigan before achieving gender parity and a truly representative government.​​