(FOX 2) – The state election board approved language for a constitutional amendment proposal that would require voters to show proof of citizenship before casting a ballot.
Scrutiny of Michigan’s election systems grew after the Secretary of State identified 15 instances of non-U.S. citizens voting during the previous presidential election.
Proof-of-citizenship to vote
Big picture view:
On Friday, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers gave their blessing to a revised version of a constitutional amendment proposal that would impact how residents in Michigan vote.
The approved language reads:
A constitutional amendment to: Add requirement to verify citizenship by showing a birth certificate, passport, and/or other documents for voter registration; eliminate affidavit alternative for those without photo-ID when voting; add requirement to provide photo-ID, or driver’s license or partial social security number to receive or vote an absentee ballot; require Secretary of State to review voter rolls to verify citizens and remove non-citizens using documents in government records; prohibit counting ballots from voters without citizenship documents and photo-ID unless voters show documents within 6 days after election; require hardship program for obtaining required documents at state expense.
Charles Spies, an attorney who has done work with Republican groups, offered recommendations for the original draft language, which was written by Michigan’s director of elections.
He said some of the portions of the language were prejudicial.
Voting groups criticized the proposal as adding unnecessary burdens to the voting process, making it harder for people who have changed their name – such as women who got married – as well as those who live in rural areas that don’t live near their polling place.
It also adds more work for the Michigan Secretary of State, Democratic Vice Chair Mary Ellen Gurewitz said during Friday’s meeting.
Meanwhile, attorney Mark Brewer claimed the proposal was vague and proponents of the measure were not sure of its consequences.
But supporters of the proposal pointed to voting changes in Georgia and Florida as examples of proof-of-citizenship working.
Why you should care:
If the ballot measure goes before voters, they will have the opportunity to approve significant changes to Michigan’s voting processes. It would require residents to show either a birth certificate, a passport, or a different document that proves they are a citizen before casting a ballot.
Currently, most voters use a driver’s license when they head to the polls.
The proposal also eliminates the affidavit voting option which people use to vote when they don’t have a photo ID on them. The drafted language also includes a requirement for a photo-ID copy, driver’s license, or part of one’s social security number when voting absentee. Currently, only one’s signature is necessary to vote absentee.
The proposal adds responsibility to the Secretary of State to review voter rolls and remove any noncitizens.
Finally, voters who do cast a ballot without a photo ID would need to provide documents proving their citizenship within six days after the election or their ballot could not be counted.
The legislature would be required to create a system that helps those who cannot afford documents proving their citizenship.
The backstory:
In January, state Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford) introduced a bill to amend Michigan’s constitution that requires voters to show proof of citizenship before casting a ballot.
The proposal follows a review of voting records by the Michigan Department of State that found 15 credible cases of noncitizens voting in the 2024 election. Among the examples is when a student at the University of Michigan from China illegally cast a ballot in the 2024 election.
Calling it a “no-brainer” when he introduced it, Posthumus said “the only reasonable argument against requiring photo ID to vote – opponents say that some people can’t get it.”
Dig deeper:
Voting groups criticized the proposal as adding unnecessary burdens to the voting process, making it harder for people who have changed their name – such as women who got married – as well as those who live in rural areas that don’t live near their polling place.
It also adds more work for the Michigan Secretary of State, Democratic Vice Chair Mary Ellen Gurewitz said during Friday’s meeting.
Meanwhile, attorney Mark Brewer claimed the proposal was vague and proponents of the measure were not sure of its consequences.
But supporters of the proposal pointed to voting changes in Georgia and Florida as examples of proof-of-citizenship working.
Passing a proposal:
There are two ways to amend Michigan’s constitution:
- Lawmakers draft the proposal that goes on the ballot, requiring two-thirds of each chamber approve sending the measure for voters to decide
- A citizen-led petition that gathers signatures to send the proposal to the ballot
Under both situations, voters would have the final say in whether the amendment can be added to the constitution.
The Source: The Michigan Board of State Canvassers meeting and previous reporting