Small Business Admin Makes First-of-Its-Kind Voter Registration Agreement With Michigan

People cast their early ballots for the 2022 general election at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on Nov. 7, 2022. Eff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

In a first-of-its-kind agreement, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Michigan Department of State have partnered through a memorandum of understanding to “to promote civic engagement and voter registration in Michigan.”

This collaboration, announced on March 19 by SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, will focus on voter registration through a new website as well as in-person small business events in the state, according to press releases.

“Protecting and strengthening our democracy is critical to our economic success and a core goal of the Biden-Harris Administration,” Ms. Guzman said in the SBA announcement. “Through this memorandum of understanding, the SBA will help connect Michiganders to vital voter registration information from the State of Michigan so that more small business owners can exercise their right to vote. Small businesses are busy working on and in their businesses, and by meeting them where they are—on our website and at our small business outreach events—we can help facilitate voter registration and civic engagement so their voices are heard.”

Bridging Business and Voter Outreach

The agreement, set to run until Jan. 1, 2036, represents what Ms. Guzman said is a manifestation of the Biden administration’s broader initiative to “protect and bolster the foundations of American democracy.”

Ms. Guzman was referring to President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 14019, officially the “Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting,” which he signed two months after he took office in 2021. This order mandates federal agencies explore avenues for enhancing voter registration opportunities.

“In passing the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the Congress found that it is the duty of Federal, State, and local governments to promote the exercise of the fundamental right to vote,” states the executive order. “Executive departments and agencies should partner with State, local, Tribal, and territorial election officials to protect and promote the exercise of the right to vote, eliminate discrimination and other barriers to voting, and expand access to voter registration and accurate election information.”

The order also states that it is the duty of elected officials to “ensure that registering to vote and the act of voting be made simple and easy for all those eligible to do so.”

At its core, the new memorandum of understanding (MOU) seeks to facilitate the involvement of Michigan’s small business sector in the electoral process, recognizing the role these entities play in the economic and social fabric of the state.

Under the terms of the MOU, the Michigan Department of State will develop a unique URL to direct online visitors to voter registration resources.

Additionally, the SBA’s Michigan field office is poised to host Michigan Department of State officials for in-person voter registration endeavors at various small business outreach events.

Reflecting on the initiative, Ms. Guzman highlighted what she said is the intrinsic link between a thriving democracy and economic success.

Ms. Benson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the vital contribution of small businesses to societal well-being and democratic health in Michigan.

A Question of Mission Alignment

The SBA’s new engagement in this voter registration initiative has prompted some inquiries regarding its alignment with the agency’s foundational mission.

The U.S. House Committee on Small Business held a hearing on March 20 on oversight of the SBA. During the hearing, Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) sought clarification from Ms. Guzman on how election-related efforts align with the SBA’s core objectives of supporting small businesses and fostering economic resilience.

“In its announcement, the SBA grasped at straws to connect the Small Business Administration’s mission to elections,” Mr. Stauber said. “What is the Small Business Administration’s mission statement?”

“We serve small businesses and help impacted communities post disasters,” Ms. Guzman said, to which Mr. Stauber replied, “Would it be ‘help Americans start, grow, and build resilient businesses?’”

Ms. Guzman agreed, to which Mr. Stauber then asked, “That’s the mission statement, right? What does that have to do with elections?”

Ms. Guzman began referring to President Biden’s executive order, with Mr. Stauber interrupting to say, “With all due respect, you are the voice of our small businesses. They’re saying they’re not a part or partaking in the election. They want to grow their business and be resilient in America. How do you connect elections to servicing and promoting small businesses?”

Ms. Guzman said she thought everyone could “agree that we want small businesses to vote and be active in this democracy and of course, providing information on how they can do that is a simple process on our website.”

Mr. Stauber, in a follow-up, asked Ms. Guzman to articulate to him where in the SBA’s congressional mandate or mission statement it refers to their responsibility being election work.

“This is not election work,” she responded. “This is just providing information to the public—to the small businesses who come to visit our website—giving them information on how they could register in their state. That’s the extent of the SBA’s role in this. Again, the president’s executive order was clear that federal agencies should work to ensure that we have a strong electoral base and people are aware of their options and their ability to vote.”

Implications and Related Efforts

While the MOU specifically targets Michigan’s small business community, it is part of a broader, nationwide initiative under Executive Order 14019.

The SBA aims to incorporate voter registration information across its marketing materials, website, social media channels, and physical locations across the United States, thus amplifying the reach and impact of this endeavor.

Michigan’s secretary of state, Ms. Benson, also noted in a press release that the state has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to facilitate voting among veterans.

The Epoch Times reached out to Ms. Benson for comment on how the partnership came about, why a key swing state such as Michigan was chosen, and what impact the SBA being involved in elections could have on voters’ opinion on election integrity.

A press secretary for the Michigan Department of State referred The Epoch Times to the SBA for answers to those questions.

The Epoch Times contacted the SBA and several election integrity focused-organizations for comment on the new agreement, but they did not respond before press time.