Securing Election Integrity
SB 120 – Securing Election Integrity
You have to produce a photo ID to board an airplane, purchase a firearm and purchase regulated products — you should have to produce a photo ID when you vote too, but that’s not how it works in Michigan.
If a voter does not present photo ID when voting, they can sign a piece of paper and still cast a ballot that is counted on Election Day. It is essentially an “honor system.” We must establish more meaningful safeguards to protect the integrity of our elections.
That is why I introduced Senate Bill 120. My legislation would revise current procedures to strengthen the rules for voter identification.
Under this bill, a voter without photo identification would still be required to sign an affidavit but would also have to present other documentation proving their identity and status as an eligible Michigan voter. Identity can be shown with records such as a certified birth certificate, a U.S. military discharge paper or a court-issued name-change order. Residency could also be shown with a recent record that lists a name and home address — for instance: a utility bill, bank statement, lease, pay stub or Michigan vehicle title.
If both documents are provided, the voter would be able to cast a ballot as otherwise provided in state law. If the proper documents are not provided, the voter receives a provisional ballot that is not counted on Election Day. The provisional ballot would have to be secured, checked after the election, and counted only after eligibility is confirmed.
This is a commonsense safeguard. It does not ask anyone to do something extraordinary. It simply requires proof that the person at the precinct is who they say they are and is an eligible Michigan resident. Fair elections protect every voter who follows the rules.
SB 1054 – Strengthening the Absentee Voting Process
I introduced Senate Bill 1054 to restore basic, commonsense standards to Michigan’s absentee ballot process and protect the integrity of our elections.
After the Florida 2000 and Ohio 2004 election controversies, a federal committee was created to address potential election integrity issues. The committee, chaired by former President Jimmy Carter, found that absentee ballots are the largest potential avenue for voter fraud. “Vote by mail is, however, likely to increase the risks of fraud and of contested elections…” said the Carter-Baker Commission’s report.
Universal absentee ballots open the door to fraud, undermine the idea of election day, and make it more difficult for Michiganders to cast their ballots in private.
My legislation would address this by requiring a more deliberate process of requesting an absentee ballot. A voter would need to actively request an absentee ballot each time they wish to vote absentee, rather than the current mass automatic mailing system used in our state.
This bill would also require a voter to explain why they need to vote absentee. Absentee voting would remain available when needed and a voter could claim eligibility for real necessity, including the following categories:
- At least 60 years of age.
- Military service.
- Unable to vote without assistance at the polls.
- Expecting to be absent from the community on Election Day.
- Confined in jail awaiting arraignment or trial.
- Unable to attend the polls due to religious tenets.
- Serving as an election inspector in a different precinct.
These combined reforms would maintain a robust absentee ballot process when actually needed but would also improve the system to reduce the ability for bad actors to abuse it.
I believe these guardrails are necessary to safeguard our constitutional republic. Please use the form below to share your thoughts. Your voice is critical to protecting fair elections in Michigan.