Michigan Citizens’ Initiative to Outlaw Private Funding of Elections, Require Voter ID Gains Momentum

Michigan Citizens’ Initiative to Outlaw Private Funding of Elections, Require Voter ID Gains Momentum
Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum handles ballot tabulations in Mason, Mich., on Nov. 4, 2020. John Moore/Getty Images
Steven Kovac
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A citizen-initiated proposal in Michigan to ban private funding of elections, prohibit the secretary of state from sending out unsolicited applications for absentee ballots, and require state-issued photo ID to vote is one step closer to taking effect.

On July 29, volunteers from the Secure MI Vote campaign filed petitions bearing more than 500,000 signatures, seeking to advance the measure to the Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature for a vote, where it is expected to be approved.

Michigan law requires 340,000 valid signatures to move the citizen proposal forward.

Democrats have fought hard to block election integrity measures sponsored by GOP legislators, calling the measures “voter suppression.”

If the state legislature approves the citizen-initiated proposition, the state Constitution says it wouldn’t be subject to a ballot referendum. Another constitutional provision makes the law veto-proof.

Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, has vetoed dozens of election-related measures sent to her desk by the Legislature.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks with members of the National Guard in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington on March 5, 2021. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks with members of the National Guard in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington on March 5, 2021. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks in Detroit, on Aug. 18, 2020. (Rebecca Cook/Reuters)
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks in Detroit, on Aug. 18, 2020. Rebecca Cook/Reuters

“Over the coming weeks, we trust the Bureau of Elections and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (a Democrat) will swiftly review and confirm the validity of the signatures of our fellow citizens so they can be presented to the Board of State Canvassers to provide their consent," Secure MI Vote spokesperson Jamie Roe said in a statement.

“Then, the (state) Constitution requires our legislative initiative be presented to the Michigan Legislature for their consideration.”

Steven Kovac
Steven Kovac
Reporter
Steven Kovac reports for The Epoch Times from Michigan. He is a general news reporter who has covered topics related to rising consumer prices to election security issues. He can be reached at [email protected]
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