On Election Day, Nov. 7, voters in Michigan will decide whether to vote for or against the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. If passed, MCRI will ban affirmative action in state contracting, education and employment. For the health professions, affirmative action programs provide an important diversity-building strategy. The Health Professions for Diversity coalition, along with medical school deans in the state and colleagues in other health professions, sent a letter to the citizens of Michigan informing them about the importance of diversity in the health professions and affirmative action as a key tool. The coalition has also developed a fact sheet about the potential ill-effects of MCRI. The AAMC is a member of HPD. For more information, please visit http://www.hpd-coalition.org/michigan.htm .