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. 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. Voters without an ID would have to present a copy of their birth certificate or Social Security card and documentation verifying their address. Those leading thepetition drive say it would also bar clerksfrom partnering with nongovernment groups to carry out election-related activities such as registration drives. I will have no part in any effort that grants an ounce of credence to this deception (the Big Lie), so injurious to our democracy, Whitmer wrote in a letter to legislators last month. 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. 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. If lawmakers enact the initiative, voters will receive guidancein order to comply with the new rules, he said. Democrats have argued the Secure MI Vote plan creates barriers to voting so fewer people have access to the polls. 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. In addition to eliminating the option for those voting in-person to sign an affidavit if they dont have a photo ID and vote normally, the initiative would create a new ID rule for absentee voters. Thus they launched the "Protect the Vote" initiative that is now on YOUR November 2022 ballot. 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. 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. Roe, the group's spokesperson,said clerks would have to paychurches and places of worship that currently provide access to their space for free to serve as polling locations. I would hope that the legislature would take immediate action particularly, please if we act with dispatch to get support from across the state.. I find that objectionable and I think that lacks adequate fairness to the public and opposing committees., Trebilcock encouraged the board to delay the vote, saying the initiative is being pushed for no reason other than political ends., Republican board member Tony Daunt told Trebilcock that there simply is not a rush here., Were back here because we all agreed to handle some important mistakes that were made by the Secure MI Vote folks, Daunt said. Michigan election reform Secure MI Vote. Instead, under their proposal, voters who cannot present valid identification would vote using a provisional ballot. Secure MI Vote is seeking to eliminate the affidavit voting option altogether. Michigan faces conference rival Wisconsin. Were pretty hopeful and optimistic here that we can get this process moving quickly, and get these enacted into law, Roe said. When youve passed all the tests, you are added to the Michigan master list of eligible voters and your signature is put on file. 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.". The Secure MI Vote initiative would prohibit private election funding, strengthen in-person ID rules, create a new $3 million "voter access fund . Nebraska became . "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 . Were very very excited about the opportunity to get it rolled out and to get people fired up., We're not just a news organization, we're also your neighbors. The proposal seeks to create the Voter Access Fund, which would be overseen by the state treasury and would help cover costs for individuals looking to obtain formal identification required to vote. Roe said clerks wouldnt have to turn away these volunteers while Spies, the lawyer for Secure MI Vote, said there would need to be clarification on which volunteer activities remain permissible. 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. 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. Wisconsin Badgers (16-11, 8-9 Big Ten) at Michigan Wolverines (16-12, 10-7 Big Ten) Ann Arbor, Michigan; Sunday, 2 . While Republican lawmakers in the GOP-controlled Legislature have expressed support for the so-called Unlock Michigan II proposal, it's possible they could lose their majority in the upcoming November election. If they don't enact the initiative, it goes to a statewide vote. Secure MI Vote: Initiated statute: Elections reforms: Unlock Michigan II: Initiated statute: Weaken gubernatorial powers in an emergency: Let MI Kids Learn A: . Ojai City Council districts. Make your contribution today to fund more vetted news reports throughout mid-Michigan! The group said in a statementit collected significantly more than the required 340,047 signatures but saidit was going to wait to collect more signatures and submit them to state election officials in June to qualify for the 2024 ballot. 2023 Michigan State University Board of Trustees. LANSING, Mich. The Secure MI Vote campaign says theyre confident they have enough signatures to get their initiative to the legislature. Jennifer Granholm, said organizers of initiatives who missed the filing deadline face a steep hill to climb if they want lawmakers to adopt their proposals before the end of the year. If a petition sponsor avails itself of this All rights reserved.). she asked. 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. Republican lawmakers have already passedbills mirroring those proposals, but Gov. Prohibit outside corporate entities from funding Michigan elections. The initiative would require clerks to pay churches that serve as polling locations, according to organizers. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen. Body parts found in soup pots believed to belong to Hong Kong model Abby Choi. Supporters say: It's common sense. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730. In 2020, people died after they sent in their absentee ballot and before Election Day. If the legislature does not approve the initiative, then it appears on the next general election ballot. Supporters of the proposal argue that funds acquired from outside sources could lead to bias and unfairness with how elections are carried out. She says, "Regardless of tonight's outcome, we fought the right fights and we put . Craig Cumbow was a volunteer with Voters Not Politicians, which ended gerrymandering in Michigan. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Delhi Twp - Holt - Dimondale - Southside Lansing, East Lansing, Haslett, Okemos & Williamston, East Lansing, Haslett, Okemos, Webberville & Williamston. The second session of annual town meeting, or the business meeting, begins at 7 p.m. at Shelburne Town Hall, 74 Village Road . The Board approved the petition form on September 27, 2021.[1]. The Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature recently attempted to pass stricter voting laws, similar to what is being proposed by Secure MI Vote. 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. "Anything submitted after this date is a proposal that could ultimately be submitted to voters at the 2024 ballot,"he said. We needed to be able to give, not only for the lawyers in the room, but everyday people who may not understand this process fully.. Streaming on ClickOnDetroit and Local 4+ from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. weekdays. The initiative is proposing quite a bit of change, and were going to break down everything you need to know. Contact her at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. Elissa Slotkin announces bid to succeed Debbie Stabenow. So if people still have petitions, they get them in today," he said on Tuesday. 09/03/2021 wbkb11. The Michigan Board of Canvassers unanimously approved the form of the petition 3-0 at a meeting Monday. Secure MI Vote, which recently began circulating petitions, does not have to submit its campaign finance statement until Nov. 2. 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.. If lawmakers do not take action within 40 session days, the proposed law will appear on the ballot. 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. Select from these options: Neighborhood News, Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines, and Daily Forecasts. (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. Michigan already has secure elections and strong . State Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) said he hopes elections staff will review the signatures quickly. Jamie Roe, a spokesperson for the Secure MI Vote initiative, called the Wednesday filing date "sort of an artificial deadline" and said that state election officials could review signatures the group plans to fileso that the GOP-led Legislature could take up the proposal quickly. All rights reserved. While the Secure MI Vote committee argues its proposed changes would make it harder to cheat, Democrats and voting rights advocates say the measures create more barriers to votes being counted. We repeat: If Proposal 2 wins in November elections will not be secure ever again. Clerks say the initiative also could subject voters to confusing ID rules riddled with contradictory requirements and force election officials to remove online access to absentee ballot applications and turn down help from volunteerswho carry out basictasks such as preparing absentee ballot mailings. 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. [2] At least 340,047 signatures need to be valid. Instead, state and local governments would only be allowed to use money appropriated from the government on things like voting equipment, polling places, outreach, etc. 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. Secure MI Vote executive director Jeff Litten is pledging a "significant 'no' campaign" against the amendment. Girls high school basketball team forfeits a game because it refused to play against a team with a transgender player, Fox Leaders Wanted to Break From Trump but Struggled to Make It Happen, Not Going to Read That: White House Press Secretary Brushes Off DeSantis Op-Ed, Sunshine returns to SoCal on Thursday but cold temps stick around, AccuWeather: AM showers before a mild afternoon, High school highlights: Lady Bulldogs fall to Salesian College Preparatory. Related: Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg and wife spent millions helping Michigan hold elections. "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. All rights reserved (About Us). Lawmakers can also choose to enact the proposed changes themselves. Contact her at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed similar proposals. Who's in, out of race? Opponents say if approved, the Secure MI Vote. 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. Reform of Michigan's petition certification process would facilitate a move by the state into the business of preparing voter guides to provide some explanation of the ballot . "I think something like this is best done through the normal legislative process,"he said. 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. 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. Secure MI Vote recently began collecting the 340,047 signatures needed to introduce the initiative to state lawmakers. 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. The approval to get 340,047 signatures would ban election officials from mailing absentee ballots to every voter of Michigan unless requested. I just dont feel that this petition is necessary, it actually hinders our voting instead of promoting voting, Bradshaw said in an interview after the meeting. Places that have provided free access to their space during elections "are just good community partners trying to be civically minded,"Wit said. At least 340,047 signatures need to be valid. Thus they launched the Protect the Vote initiative that is now on YOUR November 2022 ballot. Secure MI Vote will have 180 days to collect the signatures. But clerks worry that conflicting requirements proposed by the initiative would cause confusion. Office of the Great Seal. Ballot drive, suits eyed to fight Michigan vote reforms blasted as suppression, Michigan sheriff enlists private eye to grill clerks in vote fraud probe, He sought to distance GOP from Trump. It is not about election security. 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. He said the same of voters stopping by their clerk's office to obtain an application. The campaign Michigan Right to Vote filed a petition with the State Board of Canvassers on January 21, 2022. Those concerns are unfounded, said Secure MI Vote spokesperson Jamie Roe. For instance, afunction could be addedonline for voters torequest an application, he said. Under current law, voters must either present an ID or sign an affidavit. 5. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. Apply today! Eliminating and replacing the affidavit voting option; Preventing the mailing of unsolicited absent voter ballots and applications; Limiting how election funds are acquired and spent. If the initiative is adopted to the state Legislature, voters without an ID or who forget theirs would have to cast a provisional ballot that would only count if a they turn in a valid form of ID to their clerks office within six days of the election. Once you vote absentee for the first time, an application is mailed to you for each election in your area. Among other changes the campaign aims to require a valid government ID to vote in the state and would prohibit the Michigan Secretary of State from mailing out unsolicited absentee ballots, both moves that opponents say will make it more difficult to vote. In the 2020 presidential election, only 0.2% of Michiganders voted using a signed affidavit (without a photo ID), according to Bridge Michigan -- which is 11,400 votes out of 5.5 million total votes cast in the state. Trebilcock pointed to the fact that the petition summary was approved late Friday afternoon and the board came back to vote on the form Monday morning. 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. [1], The ballot initiative would also prohibit private funds and in-kind contributions from individuals and entities for state or local election administration purposes, such as election equipment, voter registration, mailing of election materials, election advertising, and recruiting and hiring precinct elections inspectors. Rather than sign the SMV petition, Im urging everyone to support candidates who work to make voting easier and secure. 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. But language that would be added to the application takes that option off the table. 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. The competition between efforts is not new. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Michigan Republicans leading the Secure MI Vote ballot petition have six months to collect at least 340,000 voter signatures. The recall campaign began in August 2022, launched by chairman Belden Batiste and vice chairwoman Eileen Carter, attributing the cause to Cantrell's "quiet quit" and neglect of interacting . 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. "I guess Im confused," Wit said of the proposed ban on donations. 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. The Secure MI Vote initiative would add several measures that supporters call reforms to enhance ballot security, but foes say are naked attempts to make it harder to vote. Thomas said it's hard toimagine Secure MI Vote meant toprohibit online access to absentee ballot applications. 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