komoros.blogspot.com. LANSING, Mich. (Great Lakes News) - The group "Secure MI Vote" has six months to collect at least 340,000 signatures for a ballot petition that would tighten Michigan's election laws, including requiring identification to vote. The ballot initiative would require an identification card, such as a driver's license, official student ID, or other government-issued ID, to cast an in-person or absentee ballot in an election. Right now Michigan requires an ID or a signed affidavit that is compared to the voter's signature on file. Thosewho don't comply with the new ruleswould receive a provisional ballot that wouldnt count unless the voter presents an ID in-person at their clerks office within six days after an election. 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. Thus they launched the "Protect the Vote" initiative that is now on YOUR November 2022 ballot. If the signatures hold up, a Republican-controlled legislature could adopt the changes into law before the election. What about counting early absentee ballots? The organization was the beneficiary of a $350 million donation from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. (Bridge file photo). The ballot initiative would prohibit absentee ballot applications from being sent to electors without an elector first requesting the application. Will you please support our nonprofit newsroom? Those campaigns have announced that they will try to make the 2024 ballot instead of putting their proposals before voters in the upcoming midterm. However, a certain group of people dont want safe and secure elections: they want power and influence. LANSING Michigan Republicans are launching a petition drive to tighten state voting laws following a combative 2020 election marked by former President Donald Trump's false claims of widespread fraud. The board is next scheduled to meet June 23. Sharon Dolente, a senior adviser with Promote the Vote, which opposes the initiative, is not so sure. Those concerns are unfounded, said Secure MI Vote spokesperson Jamie Roe. 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. Pursuant to state law the Ojai City Council will take the second finalizing vote on amending the city's Reach Code ordinance that bans natural gas infrastructure in new construction. Were pretty hopeful and optimistic here that we can get this process moving quickly, and get these enacted into law, Roe said. Anything that reduces the lines on Election Day makes voting easier and improves security because it reduces the big crunch on Election Day. Raise the Wage, an effortto increase Michigan's minimum wage to $15 by 2027, expressed similar concerns about the recent discovery of the alleged signature fraud scheme. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. But the two agreed thatorganizations could continue to conduct election-related activities such as voter registration drives on their own, just not in partnership with clerks offices. It would void transactions above that rate, require a consumer warning spelling out the maximum allowable rate and empower the Attorney General's Office to prosecute those who charge above it. Both can be done. It's been a challenging process," said Jamie Roe, a spokesman for the Secure MI Vote campaign. Bensons sending of absent voter ballot applications last year drew criticism from GOP lawmakers and former President Donald Trump, who initially believed she was sending unsolicited ballots, not applications. Help us get there. Prohibiting election administration grants in future elections will cut off a funding source that Michigan clerks say helped them manage a successful election despite a global pandemic. Secure MI Vote would require absentee voters to also write either their state ID number or the last four digits of their SSN on the ballot, which elections officials would verify along with the. 3 min read The Secure MI Vote petition suggests Michigan's voting process is not secure, and that to 'fix it' voting must be harder. But you never know. Citizen led drive to secure Michigan's elections. If you fail any of the tests, you wont get a ballot until the problem is resolved. At least 340,047 signatures need to be valid. 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. The Republican-backed petition was given the go ahead by the board to start collecting the 340,000 signatures needed to push the Secure MI ballot petition before the legislature. Though Michigan already has a voter ID law, Secure MI Votes initiative would remove the ability to submit an affidavit for individuals without an ID to cast a ballot if they sign a statement of identity. Require in-person voters to present a photo ID. Not only can lawmakers enact voter-initiated legislation without the governor's support, they can do so without the support of a majority of voters in a statewide election. Citizen ballot measures can be called . 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. So, let's do something common sense that restores confidence in the system and empowers our clerks to do it right.. If they don't enact the initiative, it goes to a statewide vote. 5. Also on the Feb. 28 agenda is a discussion item on off-site valet parking. Initiative organizers are hoping to send their proposal directly to Michigans GOP-majority Legislature for approval if enough signatures are gathered. Those were caught and the votes were voided. It is uncertain how many signatures have been acquired so far. Secure MI Vote, which recently began circulating petitions, does not have to submit its campaign finance statement until Nov. 2. 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. Opponents say if approved the move would further disenfranchise minority and low-income voters. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730. 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. Gretchen Whitmer. 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. Republicans contend the mailings opened the door to potential voter fraud, and they accurately note that some applications were inadvertently sent to an address where the intended voter no longer lived. 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 Once you vote absentee for the first time, an application is mailed to you for each election in your area. 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. Make your contribution today to fund more vetted news reports throughout mid-Michigan! We really need to take our time to make sure that we are protecting the citizens of Michigans right to your state legislation, Bradshaw said. For instance, afunction could be addedonline for voters torequest an application, he said. Rather than sign the SMV petition, Im urging everyone to support candidates who work to make voting easier and secure. 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. Voter fraud is already a felony in Michigan and the attorney general has prosecuted people accordingly. Republican lawmakers have already passedbills mirroring those proposals, but Gov. More: Whitmer vetoes election bills, saying they 'fail to advance' safe and secure elections, More: Michigan House Republicans pass bill aimed at expediting review of petition initiatives. Clerks biggest concern is that the new requirement threatens to disenfranchise voters. Support WKAR and get ad-free versions of your favorite NPR podcasts. The second session of annual town meeting, or the business meeting, begins at 7 p.m. at Shelburne Town Hall, 74 Village Road . Ms. Benson said only 15,300 absentee ballots were. "So thats really why theyre not looking for financial remuneration for, essentially. If the initiative is successful, the state would require photo IDs to vote in person and either a photo ID or a partial social security number to apply to vote absentee. 09/03/2021 wbkb11. The 3.3 million Michigan absent voter ballots cast in November 2020 beat the states previous record of 1.6 million votes cast in the Aug. 2020 primary election. Why would anyone risk a felony charge for one vote? Lawmakers can choose whether or not to put initiative petition proposals on the ballot. 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. In June, Secure MI Vote missed the deadline to turn in signatures in time for this years election. The approval to get 340,047 signatures would ban election officials from mailing absentee ballots to every voter of Michigan unless requested. Support local journalism by becoming a new WKAR donor and get ad-free feeds of your favorite NPR podcasts with NPR+ when you donate $8/month or more! The campaign Michigan Right to Vote filed a petition with the State Board of Canvassers on January 21, 2022. All rights reserved. Gretchen Whitmer Share This: The petition mirrors bills introduced by Republican lawmakers in Michigan to beef up election security following false accusations by former President Trump and others that the 2020 November election was rigged.. Contact her at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. More than 400 such bills have been introduced in 49 states. But planning delays mean any changes made to Michigan voting laws are not likely to take effect until after the 2022 election. 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. The planned petition from Secure MI Vote, a ballot committee set up in December, proposes a strict photo ID requirement at polling locations and a brand new one for absentee voters, according to a . The Secure MI Vote petition suggests Michigans voting process is not secure, and that to fix it voting must be harder. Feb 26, 2023. Meanwhile, two high-profile Republican-backed initiative petitionsvowed to continue collecting signatures and file their petition forms in the coming weeks in hopes that state election officials will review them quickly despite blowing past the deadline. However, there are some communities, both urban and rural, that benefit from and count on private donations. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; Ballotpedia features 395,443 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. If lawmakers do not take action within 40 session days, the proposed law will appear on the ballot. Organizers argue that in order to ensure a fair election, it is necessary to require Michigan voters to present a photo ID, to limit how absent voter ballots are distributed, how funds are used during elections and more. Nebraska became . By The Associated Press. Lisa D. Connell. The Secure MI Vote initiative would prohibit private election funding, strengthen in-person ID rules, create a new $3 million "voter access fund . If . "After the 2016 and 2020 elections, voters on both sides of the political spectrum questioned the integrity of the election," said a statement from Secure MI Vote."Secure MI Vote seeks to restore confidence in our elections by making it . Why arent they being worked on? Here's why. Visit the FOX47News Website. We report because the news impacts all of us. 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. They knew it was coming, responded Norm Shinkle, a Republican board member. Delta Township Clerk Mary Clark, a Democrat who serves as president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks,used $17,000 from the organization to purchase a ballot box and a camera to monitor it among other equipment. Clerks across Michigan received money from the Center for Tech and Civic Life in 2020. It was a strategic decision to file lawsuits in these states that were too close to call during the night of election day and remained uncalled for a few days. 100% remote. On Oct. 17, Whitmer vetoed two more bills aimed at making sweeping changes to the states election code -- the latest of dozens the governor has vowed will stop at her desk. Carlos Osorio - staff, AP Feb 27, 2023 22 min ago A DTE contractor crew works on a power line, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, in northwest Detroit. [1], The campaign Secure MI Vote filed a petition with the State Board of Canvassers on September 2, 2021. Secure MI Vote is seeking to eliminate the affidavit voting option altogether. The additional cost imposed of having to now rent that space is a big question mark, she said. The Board approved the petition form on September 27, 2021.[1]. Under Secure MI Votes proposal, election officials would not be allowed to send absent voter ballots or ballot applications to registered voters unless a voter specifically requested one. 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. "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.". And so then its just more election litigation, more voter confusion.". (AP) Nebraska lawmakers held a public hearing Wednesday on competing bills to address ways to enact a voter ID requirement approved by voters last November. The application form would state that voters could only present an ID in-person to their city or township clerk if they dont list their driver license number, state ID card number or last four digits of their Social Security number. The proposal could make it harder for some people to vote, and clerks have raised concerns that requiring voters to mail their state ID numbers could make them more susceptible to identity theft. Other initiative petitions missed the deadline to submit signatures, including those to limit the authority of local public health officials, establish a new credit system to reduce prison sentences, conduct another audit of the 2020 presidential election, legalize psychedelic mushrooms and decertify the 2020 presidential election. 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. 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.. Its possible Republicans could pivot and decide to put the initiative on the 2022 ballot instead to try and drive turnout among voters who believe the stop the steal big lies, Timmer speculated earlier this month. Related: Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg and wife spent millions helping Michigan hold elections. Gretchen Whitmer. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed the legislation. Secure MI Vote: Initiated statute: Elections reforms: Unlock Michigan II: Initiated statute: Weaken gubernatorial powers in an emergency: Let MI Kids Learn A: . The initiative proposes to amend, or change, nine sections of. Conservatives called the money "Zuck Bucks" and said the fundsopened the door to outside influence in the election. FILE - Michigan Gov. If legislators were to approve such a measure, it would not go on the ballot. What we are trying to do here is just restore the confidence and the belief in the integrity of the system, said spokesperson Jamie Roe, a GOP consultant who is working on the new committee along with veteran Republican operative Fred Wszolek. The competition between efforts is not new. "As with all statutory language and laws, thereis some interpretation and that will have to be determined,"he said. Body parts found in soup pots believed to belong to Hong Kong model Abby Choi. what they see as a civic duty.". If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. There were still 35 election-related bills making their way through the legislature as of October. He told the Free Press later that tweaks could help clerks comply with the new rules while maintaining online and easy access to applications. But organizers of the GOP petition drive say their plan would make that process easier and help the state pay for it. I hope it rarely ever happens, but the fact of the matter is it should never happen, Roe said. Steve Liedel,an attorney who previously served as legal counsel to Democratic Gov. TheSecure MI Vote initiative that proposes newvoter ID requirements,electionfunding restrictions and a ban on unsolicited mailings of absentee ballot applications announced a similar plan. 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. "We need to file tomorrow. Yet, it won't be on the November ballot. The Board approved the petition form on September 27, 2021. We'll see what the reaction is. 2023 Bridge Michigan. Initiative Petition . 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. Paid for by Secure MI Vote Committee with regulated funds106 W Allegan, Ste 200 Lansing, MI 48933. Despite several reports from government and election officials finding no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, Republican lawmakers and some voters are pushing for tighter voting laws across the U.S. -- including here in Michigan. Organizers behind the campaign showed up with stacks of boxes with petition forms outside the state's Bureau of Elections office. Once you tell people whats in it, theyre going to vote 'no.' That prevents people from voting in two places such as two homes and college students. Gretchen Whitmer. Under Michigan election law, theBoard of State Canvassers must determinewhether the initiative obtained enough valid signatures. The Michigan Board of Canvassers unanimously approved the form of the petition 3-0 at a meeting Monday. Here's an overview of the checks in place to prevent voter fraud. The Secure MI Vote petition drive is still ongoing. Prohibit the Michigan Secretary of State and local election clerks from sending absentee ballot applications to voters who did not request them. The initiative states that voters must provide their driver license number, state ID card number or the last four digits of their Social Security number on their absentee ballot application. Prohibit outside corporate entities from funding Michigan elections. None of the major legislative proposals have reached Whitmer. 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