The secretary of state defended her actions, however, arguing that it was necessary to present a remote voting option amid the ongoing public health crisis. Secure MI Votes petition would also make it illegal for private entities to donate money for election administration and would prohibit election officials from sending out absentee ballot applications without a specific request from a voter. The 2020 election was free, secure, and accurate. she asked. The campaign Secure MI Vote filed a petition with the State Board of Canvassers on September 2, 2021. Earlier this week, Michigan Republicans announced that they would be supporting a petition campaign by Secure MI Vote to enact various election reforms in the state. Rather than sign a petition to make voting harder for no reason, call your representative and senator and ask them to make real improvements. Require voters applying for an absentee ballot to include their driver license or state ID number, along with the last four digits of their Social Security number, on their application. The proposal focuses on a few key points: Lets break down these points and their significance a bit more. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Elections in Michigan are underfunded and private funds helpedclerks fill the gap in 2020, said Chris Thomas, the former director of elections for Michigan. Secure MI Vote is a petition initiative, meaning if organizers can obtain around 340,000 signatures, the measures would go to the Legislature for approval. 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. Secure MI Vote is an initiative launched by Republican voters looking to tighten Michigan's voting and election laws. Thus they launched the "Protect the Vote" initiative that is now on YOUR November 2022 ballot. Michigan election reform Secure MI Vote. State IDs cost $10 in Michigan, and the state already has a program to waive those fees for low-income residents who qualify for other forms of government assistance. Gretchen Whitmer. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. The ballot initiative would enable Republicans to bypass a veto by Whitmer. I'm not one who's been out there crying about that the election was stolen I dont believe it was but I do believe that there are people who think that it was just as there are people who thought wrongly after 2016 that that election was stolen, Roe said. 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. A more likely scenario: Any new voting laws approved through the initiative process would instead take effect in 2023 and be operative for the 2024 election, when Trump could again seek a second term. In order to get the proposed legislation in front of lawmakers or on the ballot,sponsors of these petition initiatives had to collect at least 340,047 voter signatures. Lisa D. Connell. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 9, 2021 CONTACT: Hannah Lupi, 517-643-5153 LANSING, Mich. - Voters Not Politicians Ballot Committee (VNP) today submitted objections to the Michigan Department of State about the disingenuous, false and misleading Petition Summary submitted by the "Secure MI Vote" group. "As with all statutory language and laws, thereis some interpretation and that will have to be determined,"he said. what they see as a civic duty.". My suggested improvements: You should be able to vote seven days before the election at your clerks office. Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, a Democrat who also co-chairs the clerks associations legislative committee, wrote in an email that the initiative has "no regard for how the voters could practically and legally carry out this language if it was approved.". The results were certified and officially audited by trusted local election officials, as required by law. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. It makes no mention of presenting a copy of an ID or showing one to county clerks. Under Michigan election law, theBoard of State Canvassers must determinewhether the initiative obtained enough valid signatures. They knew it was coming, responded Norm Shinkle, a Republican board member. On July 29, 2022, Secure MI Vote submitted 514,294 signatures. It would also require absentee voters to provide either of these on absentee ballot applications. Our plan for the first time ever creates a fund that will be used to provide state issued photo ID to anyone who can't afford it," Roe said. If . Make your contribution today to fund more vetted news reports throughout mid-Michigan! The Secure MI Vote initiative that proposes new voter ID requirements, election funding restrictions and a ban on unsolicited mailings of absentee ballot applications announced a similar. With a majority of the House and Senate supporting these citizen petitions, new laws will go into play making our elections secure. Gretchen Whitmer has already rejected bills mirroring the proposed changes, but the initiative process allows lawmakers to enact the legislation without Whitmers signature or the approval of voters. "Theres nothing that compels the board given everything else that they have on the plate in a very busy election year… to deal with something for the 2024 election. "Its going to be what some judge thinks and what administrators think that it says. "Once you tell people what's in it, they're going to vote 'no.' It's clear and. Copyright 2021 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. But clerks worry that conflicting requirements proposed by the initiative would cause confusion. Spies told theBoard of State Canvassers during a Sept. 23 meeting that he wasnt sure whether the initiative would require the application form to be removed from clerks websites. Were pretty hopeful and optimistic here that we can get this process moving quickly, and get these enacted into law, Roe said. Gov. President Joe Biden speaks to the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference, Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Baltimore. Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson did just that ahead of the November 2020 election, mailing absentee applications to every registered voter, drawing criticism from Republicans who claimed doing so allows opportunities for fraud. At least 340,047 signatures need to be valid. Apply today! Whitmer, a Democrat, who has vowed to veto a number of Republican-proposed election bills, would have no ability to stop the Legislature from adopting the initiative should the petition drive garner enough support. If that petition collects its roughly . The group submitted more than 400,000 signatures, Lenear said. (Bridge file photo). Want to see more local news? If they don't enact the initiative, it goes to a statewide vote. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support her work at bit.ly/freepRFA. Secure MI Vote executive director Jeff Litten is pledging a significant 'no' campaign against the amendment. 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. Yet, it won't be on the November ballot. All rights reserved. MCL 168.482b(1). This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan elections are secure, don't make voting harder, Michigan elections are secure, don't make voting harder, A woman threw a house party with 65 men she matched with on Tinder and Hinge and connected with the man she's been dating for a year. In Michigan, citizen-initiated statutes that receive enough valid signatures are sent to the Legislature, which then has 40 days to pass the initiative into law. By, Celebrate and explore Black History Month with WKAR. Hand recounts and audits proved our elections are secure. Michigan is one of more than 20 states that allows citizens to propose, revise or repeal laws by collecting a certain number of petition signatures from registered voters. Thomas said it's hard toimagine Secure MI Vote meant toprohibit online access to absentee ballot applications. Ann Arbor City Clerk Jacqueline Beaudry, who's appointed,said that organizations on University of Michigans campus help register voters and manage lines at satellite clerks offices and polling locations. Sept. 23:What to know about Secure MI Vote initiative: security or suppression?Sept. However, the committee did warn that severe weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the Michigan election system should be fixed to avoid potential fraud in future elections. Opponents say if approved, the Secure MI Vote ballot initiative would further disenfranchise minority and low-income voters. So if people still have petitions, they get them in today," he said on Tuesday. The upcoming election year may look different if Michigan Republicans are successful in their petition to rewrite voting laws, and in theory, they could do it with only 8% of previous voters' signatures, according to the Michigan constitution.. The nonprofit Center for Tech and Civic Life last year provided COVID-19 response grants to election officials across the country to buy absentee ballot drop boxes, hire more staff and implement safety measures to pull off a pandemic election. 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. Democrats have argued the Secure MI Vote plan creates barriers to voting so fewer people have access to the polls. "And while the process provides for the Legislature to vote on them, the whole process is structured based on which election theyre going to be submitted to.". The Idaho Senate has approved a proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution that would ask voters whether to increase the threshold to qualify a ballot initiative or referendum. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. When there are fair elections, bad politicians are voted out and the good ones from both parties work together to solve problems. [1] The campaign did not submit signatures by the July 11, 2022, deadline. Secure MI Vote spokesperson Jamie Roe said that leaves room for fraud. 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. Once you tell people whats in it, theyre going to vote 'no.' 100% remote. Weve tried different mechanisms to make sure that if the people submit circulated petitions or initiated legislation, for constitutional amendments or otherwise, that theres at least a timely resolution to that. As a poll worker, I understand how the system prioritizes security and integrity. More than 400 such bills have been introduced in 49 states. If the ballot committee collects roughly 340,000 valid voter signatures, the GOP-led Legislature can enact the changes into law without Democratic Gov. So, while we are waiting on Secretary Benson to do her job and approve our signatures, we are stepping up to the plate to work hard to defeat Proposal 2. The Secure MI Vote initiative would prohibit private election funding, strengthen in-person ID rules, create a new $3 million "voter access fund . The Michigan Constitution allows citizens including political operatives and special interest groups to initiate legislation through a petition drive and advance the measure to the Legislature and potentially the statewide ballot. In June, Secure MI Vote missed the deadline to turn in signatures in time for this years election. The "Secure MI Vote" committee filed a proposed petition with the secretary of state's office that would tighten the state's voter ID law, ban the state from sending absentee ballot. If a petition sponsor avails itself of this Crews are continuing to work to . Nancy Wang, of the group Voters Not Politicians, helped support the Promote the Vote amendment. Michigan charges $10 for an ID and already has a program to waive those fees for low-income residents receiving state aid. Prohibit outside corporate entities from funding Michigan elections. Bradshaw voted to approve the petition form Monday, but only because of her constitutional duty to do so, she said, adding that Michigan does already have a voter ID law. Voting rights advocates argue tighter ID rules would amount to voter suppression and have a disproportionate impact on low-income and minority residents. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen. ALPENA, Mich. - One organization says they're trying to make sure voting is fair and balanced in the state. What about sponsors for rides to polls? The American Civil Liberties Union says that strict ID voting laws not only disproportionately affect minorities, but also deprive many voters of their right to vote, reduce participation, and stand in direct opposition to our countrys trend of including more Americans in the democratic process.. Gretchen Whitmer, whose promise to veto any legislation making it harder to vote has complicated similar efforts in Michigans Republican-led Legislature. But the president of One Fair Wage, Saru Jayaraman,said in a statement that the Michigan campaign to increase the minimum wage decided to delay its own signature submissions "out of an abundance of caution.". Will you please support our nonprofit newsroom? 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. With the Bears and Cardinals selling draft picks, is it time for the Colts to trade up? Charlie Spies, a lawyer for Secure MI Vote, said that future guidance would provide clarity, including how toimplement the new ID rules, the focus of the initiative, hesaid. 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. On December 28, 2022, the petition was withdrawn by Secure MI Vote.[3]. "The fact that jurisdictions, regardless of party, sought those funds… would tell you right away that during the pandemic, the Legislature did not provide additional funding to assist these jurisdictions in a monumental shift to mail voting," he said. You can read the entire Secure MI Vote proposal below. "But the drafters dont really matter once its enacted. The group plans to hand over tho signatures to law enforcement and believes that some of the signatures were collected by the same circulators state election officials found committed forgery on nominating petitions filed by GOP gubernatorial candidates, Roe said. 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. The organization was the beneficiary of a $350 million donation from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. Voter fraud is already a felony in Michigan and the attorney general has prosecuted people accordingly. But those efforts were vetoed by Michigan Gov. In 1957, the Supreme Court, in Butler v. Michigan, overturned a Michigan statute making it a misdemeanor to sell books containing obscene language that would tend to corrupt "the morals of youth." More than 450Michigan communities received funding from the organization, including Democratic- and Republican-leaning areas, according to a Bridge Michigan analysis. Theinitiative would require clerks to pay churches that serve as polling locations, according to organizers. He said the same of voters stopping by their clerk's office to obtain an application. However, there are some communities, both urban and rural, that benefit from and count on private donations. Lawmakers can choose whether or not to put initiative petition proposals on the ballot. The 'Secure MI Vote' petition is an attempt to change voting laws, by ignoring the will of the people of Michigan and going around the checks and balances of a constitutional government.. Michigans Republican-led Senate proposed a more extensive and aggressive voting reform package in March, but the legislation was slowed by disagreements with the GOP-led House. The petition is designed to change election laws in Michigan, including a requirement for in-person voters to present a partial Social Security number and photo ID. Unless they have plans to spend just a ton of money per signature and flood the streets to get the signatures quickly, its hard to imagine that they can get 350,000 plus enough cushion in order to have it certified by the Secretary of State in calendar year 2020, said Jeff Timmer, a former Michigan GOP official who opposes Trump and the effort to tighten voting laws. Absent Voter Ballot application available - Thursday, Feb. 16th. "I have a volunteer election worker that doesnt want to be paid, they feel its their civic duty,"Clark said. 2023 Bridge Michigan. 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