Gretchen Whitmer, whose promise to veto any legislation making it harder to vote has complicated similar efforts in Michigans Republican-led Legislature. Michigan Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser first outlined the plan in March as an effort to rebuild trust among GOP voters ahead of midterm elections. Anything that reduces the lines on Election Day makes voting easier and improves security because it reduces the big crunch on Election Day. It's a continuation of the Big Lie that's anti-voter and anti-democracy. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. The state of Michigan recorded its highest voter turnout -- especially among absentee voters -- in history in the 2020 General Election. With a number of petition initiatives floating around Michigan this year, we want to make sure youre familiar with all of the facts. On July 29, 2022, Secure MI Vote submitted 514,294 signatures. It's about making it harder to vote and more difficult for clerks to run elections. If you fail any of the tests, you wont get a ballot until the problem is resolved. 14:Ballot drive, suits eyed to fight Michigan vote reforms blasted as suppression. The 2020 election was free, secure, and accurate. The results were certified and officially audited by trusted local election officials, as required by law. Voters without an ID would have to present a copy of their birth certificate or Social Security card and documentation verifying their address. LANSING, MI The Secure MI Vote committee can begin collecting signatures to tighten voter ID laws after the Michigan Board of Canvassers approved the group's petition language Monday. Voter fraud is a felony. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. [1] See also 2022 measures 2022 ballot measures Constitutional rights on the ballot Elections and campaigns on the ballot 2022 legislative sessions Michigan I just dont feel that this petition is necessary, it actually hinders our voting instead of promoting voting, Bradshaw said in an interview after the meeting. The West Virginia House of Delegates has passed a bill that would allow for Public Service Commission inquiries into how railroads are managed, with new civil penalties for railroad operators Who's in, out of race? Gretchen Whitmer. Gov. Instead, state and local governments would only be allowed to use money appropriated from the government on things like voting equipment, polling places, outreach, etc. A poll bythe Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks found that itsmembers were "overwhelmingly"concerned about the initiative as its proposed, according toHarrison Township Clerk Adam Wit, a Republican, who sits on the group's legislative committee. 100% remote. More than 400 such bills have been introduced in 49 states. Acceptable forms of photo ID would include a driver license, state ID card, passport, military ID, tribal ID or student ID issued by a university, junior college or community college. Michigan charges $10 for an ID and already has a program to waive those fees for low-income residents receiving state aid. The Yes on Popularinitiative to decide presidential elections by the popular vote rather than the Electoral College previously announced last December that it was also aiming to put its proposal to voters in 2024. GOP organizers say the proposed initiative would reduce the potential for fraud in future elections, but Michigan clerks say the change is not warranted because there is no evidence of significant voter impersonation fraud. The governor cannot veto indirect initiatives that legislators approve. Many of the bills have since been vetoed by Democratic Gov. Those petitions were submitted to the Michigan Secretary of State and we continue to wait for her to approve them to go to the Michigan Legislature. On Oct. 3, Whitmer vetoed three bills -- House Bills 4837, 4838 and 4492 -- which she said aimed to suppress votes or perpetuate the Big Lie in order to discredit the 2020 election. Though the fate of either effort has yet to be determined, legislative Republicans have said the fight over voter ID requirements wont stop even if the amendment passes. The Secure MI Vote committee on Monday was expected to file proposed petition language with the Michigan Secretary of State that would make identification mandatory for in-person and absentee voting, prohibit absentee ballot application mass mailings and bar election funding by private groups. Ballots of the dead are not counted. A group of students wants to stop Gov. Those leading thepetition drive say it would also bar clerksfrom partnering with nongovernment groups to carry out election-related activities such as registration drives. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The initiative petition process, however, allows lawmakers to pass the same proposals without the governor's support. We arent there yet. President Joe Biden speaks to the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference, Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Baltimore. Last year, the Republican-controlled state Senate and House passed the Unlock Michigan initiative petition to repeal the emergency powers law Whitmer used early on in the COVID-19 pandemic to issue health and safety restrictions. Clerks biggest concern is that the new requirement threatens to disenfranchise voters. Gov. In Michigan, anyone can vote absentee for any reason as of 2018 -- and many chose to do so for elections that took place in 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic. While the majority of Republican lawmakers in Michigan have moved on from the idea that Donald Trump actually won the election, party leadership has maintained an intention to overhaul voting laws to appease members of their party who are still concerned that voter fraud is a problem in Michigan. Absent Voter Ballot application available - Thursday, Feb. 16th. Learn more & donate at securemivote.org Thats less than one businesses days notice, Trebilcock said. The proposal seeks to create the Voter Access Fund, which would be overseen by the state treasury and would help cover costs for individuals looking to obtain formal identification required to vote. "So thats really why theyre not looking for financial remuneration for, essentially. Citizen ballot measures can be called . Form approved by the Board of State Canvassers on The petition was submitted by Secure MI Vote, a Republican-backed committee looking to add steps and security measures to voting procedures. With a majority of the House and Senate supporting these citizen petitions, new laws will go into play making our elections secure. Secure MI Vote is looking to prevent Benson, any local clerk or any of their employees from sending or providing access to unsolicited absent voter applications or ballots. 3 talking about this. Organizers for the Secure MI Vote to enact strict voter ID laws and the Let MI Kids Learn petition initiativesdon't intend to put their initiatives on the ballot andhope insteadthat lawmakers would pass their proposals later this year. Secure MI Vote is "turning in signatures not to qualify for the 2022 ballot because they have missed the deadline to do that but to put these measures to the state legislature to pass veto-proof legislation that will undermine our democracy, Wang said in a written statement. And while most election workers throughout the state are paid, some volunteer their time to support clerks with election-related tasks. Jeannette Bradshaw, the lone Democrat in attendance Monday, agreed with Trebilcocks concerns, saying it isnt fair to the public, being that meetings were held Friday afternoon and Monday morning. Rather than sign a petition to make voting harder for no reason, call your representative and senator and ask them to make real improvements. Weve been there for you with daily Michigan COVID-19 news; reporting on the emergence of the virus, daily numbers with our tracker and dashboard, exploding unemployment, and we finally were able to report on mass vaccine distribution. The term "citizen ballot measure" is used to describe citizen-initiated processes to amend state constitutions or city charters, to uphold or repeal a law passed by the state legislature (veto referendum), to propose state laws, to approve bond issues or tax proposals, or to initiate a recall election. However, the state currently allows voters who cannot present a photo ID to cast their vote using a signed affidavit, through which they declare their identity and residence under penalty of perjury. Related:Trust Index: Fact-checking claims regarding Michigans 2020 election. But unlike the normal process lawmakers follow to change state laws, Michigan's initiative petitionprocess allows lawmakers to bypass the governor's veto and enact the initiatives on their own. I hope it rarely ever happens, but the fact of the matter is it should never happen, Roe said. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. Michigan does not currently have ID rules for absentee ballot applications, but voters are required to show ID when registering, and election clerk workers perform a form of identity check on absentee ballot applications by comparing voter signatures to those on file with the state. If lawmakers enact the initiative, voters will receive guidancein order to comply with the new rules, he said. Some election officials worry they might have to remove ballot applications from their websites or stacks of blank applications available in their offices for voters to pick up. It's been a challenging process," said Jamie Roe, a spokesman for the Secure MI Vote campaign. But organizers of that initiative announced Tuesdaythat they wouldn't pursue the initiative petition process and instead focus on pushing lawmakers to enact legislation next year. (Bridge file photo) September 23, 2021 Jonathan Oosting ( Email) & Mike Wilkinson ( Email) Michigan Government Michigan Secretary of State, Gov. LANSING, MI The Secure MI Vote committee can begin collecting signatures to tighten voter ID laws after the Michigan Board of Canvassers approved the groups petition language Monday morning. Senate Republicans do not have the two-thirds majority needed to give legislation immediate effect, meaning Secure MI Vote would need to complete the petition process including signature collection and state review this year for the changes to take effect in 2022. Estimates indicate places of worship accounted for roughlya fifth of polling locations in 2020. 5. The Promote the Vote ballot initiative comes after a Republican-backed petition, "Secure MI Vote" which would make election rules stricter in Michigan. The initiative would bar the secretary of state, clerks and public employees from "sending or providing access" to absentee ballot applications to voters who don't first request one. Spies said it was a "misdirection to think that anybody is not going to get clear instructions on how to vote." That ballot would only be counted if the voter later confirms their identity with their local clerk, which would have to be done within six days of voting. Secure Michigan Vote says they're gathering petition signatures to help prevent discrepancies in the election process. The Board approved the petition form on September 27, 2021. Organizers of that initiative also aimed to amend the state's public health code through the initiative petition process to limit emergency orders issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and local health officers to 28 days unless approved by the Legislature or local governing bodies. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes bashed the new initiative, accusing Republicans of "creating barriers to voting so fewer people have access to the polls." 09/03/2021 wbkb11. Voting absentee: If your application passes the eligibility tests, a ballot is sent to you. June 1, 2022 (5 p.m.) . Secure MI Vote filed petition language with the Michigan Bureau of Elections back in September and getting the initiative off the ground has been a smooth process so far, said Spokesman Jamie Roe. Dallas Lenear, the group's treasurer, said that in most Michigan counties there are more payday loan stores than McDonald's and they are disproportionately located in low-income and rural communities where residentsstruggle to afford the high interest rates currently charged. Thousands of Michigan citizens worked hard for months to collect over 500,000 signatures: letting Michigan leaders know, we want safe and secure elections. That shouldnt sit here in limbo forever, Barrett said. It is uncertain how many signatures have been acquired so far. Gretchen Whitmer's vetoes and implement new voting restrictions via a petition drive is set to ramp up this weekend, with a new push. But organizers of the GOP petition drive say their plan would make that process easier and help the state pay for it. The recall campaign began in August 2022, launched by chairman Belden Batiste and vice chairwoman Eileen Carter, attributing the cause to Cantrell's "quiet quit" and neglect of interacting . What about sponsors for rides to polls? Republicans launch secure MI vote drive to reform Michigan election laws, Were so angry. MSU students urge gun safety at Lansing hearing, MSU police cant explain 13-minute alert gap, remain mum on shooting details, Michigan Democrats begin repeal of 1931 abortion ban, Share the article you just read on Twitter, Share the article you just read on Facebook, Share the article you just read via email, Michigan has far more power outages this week than other Midwest states, Michigan outraged toxic waste from Ohio derailment shipped to Belleville, MSU shooting: fourth victim identified, discharged from hospital, Michigans lousy infrastructure has many begging: Fix the damn noisy roads, Michigan lawmakers send Whitmer tax cuts; $180 payments are dead, Michigan State shooting: Alerts to students delayed as police rushed to campus. Under current law, voters must either present an ID or sign an affidavit. In this Nov. 3, 2020, photo, voters wait in line outside a polling center on Election Day, in Kenosha, Wis. 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