A Push for Voter Citizenship Verification in Michigan Moves Forward
Efforts to tighten voting regulations in Michigan are advancing as a new ballot proposal aims to ensure that only U.S. citizens participate in elections within the state. On Friday, the campaign gathered momentum towards collecting signatures for the initiative.
The proposed measure seeks to amend the state constitution by mandating proof of citizenship during voter registration. Presently, applicants affirm their citizenship by marking a checkbox.
This amendment would also task the Michigan Secretary of State with auditing the voter rolls to confirm citizenship. Additionally, it seeks to eliminate the current option allowing individuals without photo IDs to vote by signing an affidavit at polling stations.
The state elections board confirmed the petition form and summary language were appropriate, allowing the Protect Voters’ Rights campaign to proceed. Charlie Spies, legal representative for the campaign, commented at the Board of State Canvassers meeting, “It’s a commonsense proposal to add two things. One is photo ID, and the second is verification of citizenship. That is core to the voting rules of America.”
Despite existing requirements for residency proof and citizenship affirmation under penalty of perjury, state officials reported that over a dozen non-citizens might have voted last year. This figure represents an exceedingly small fraction of the state’s presidential election total, prompting increased scrutiny to prevent future occurrences.
Friday’s meeting also saw opposition from critics who voiced concerns over the proposal. Mark Brewer, an attorney representing the opposition, argued that the summary language should clarify the introduction of new voting requirements. “New qualifications to the vote would be imposed. Undefined documentary proof of citizenship, photo ID, etc. Which will result in citizens of Michigan who are eligible to vote and eligible to register being denied those rights,” Brewer stated during public comments.
Proponents, however, argue that the amendment does not unnecessarily burden voters, noting provisions for state-funded photo IDs for those lacking identification. The approved summary by the canvassing board specifies the need for showing documents such as a birth certificate or passport for voter registration.
Critics, including certain bipartisan board members, expressed concerns about potential barriers to online registration and absentee ballot access. Fred Wszolek, a strategist for the campaign, suggested simple solutions like document uploads, emphasizing that the constitution should focus on broader concepts rather than detailed procedures.
Board member Mary Ellen Gurewitz highlighted potential issues if voters face delays in obtaining necessary documentation or if federal resources are slow to verify existing voters’ citizenship. “I’m really troubled by the idea that people who have perhaps been voting for decades are going to find that the secretary of state perhaps has failed in his or her obligation and therefore the person loses the right to vote,” Gurewitz remarked.
The meeting attracted a significant audience, underscoring the importance of the amendment summary, which influences voter decisions on petition signing and protects the petition from legal challenges concerning its wording.
Wszolek indicated plans to start signature collection as the weather improves, anticipating smoother progress than the 2022 campaign, which struggled amidst competition from other initiatives. “We’re getting a much earlier start, we’re not competing with nine other constitutional amendments or legislative initiatives at the same time. We’re not going to have a problem getting signatures,” he stated.
The current campaign requires over 100,000 more signatures than prior efforts due to higher voter turnout and the constitutional amendment approach. A mix of paid and volunteer circulators will likely be employed to meet this goal.
While signature collection remains the primary method for placing the amendment on the ballot, Republican lawmakers are also exploring a legislative resolution as an alternative, though it appears unlikely to secure sufficient support in both legislative chambers.
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