Legislation
introduced in the state Senate on Thursday by Republicans certainly fits the description of a partisan voter suppression bill that’s supposedly intended
to reduce voter fraud.
The bill,
introduced by GOP Sen. Dave Robertson, chairman of the Senate Elections and
Government Reform Committee, would make a number of significant changes to
election procedures and local clerks’ operations. 
Those familiar with the protocol believe that this bill is on a fast track and could face a committee vote within two weeks. 

Here’s what
I know so far — the bill would amend Michigan election law in the following
ways:

 1 —
Eliminate the ability of a first-time voter who registered by mail to present
photo ID at the clerk’s office, or at a Secretary of State branch office, for
the purpose of voting absentee. This would require all individuals who
register by mail to vote in person their first time.

2 — Ban a
clerk, even those in large cities and townships, from deputizing another clerk for the purpose of verifying the
identification of a first-time voter seeking to cast an absentee ballot.

3 — Permit
election challenges at a clerk’s office – questioning a person’s right to vote
— up to 45 days before an election.   

4 — Extend
the Election Day prohibition of displaying political material within 100 feet
of a polling place to all clerk’s offices 45 days prior to an election.

5 — Prohibit
a clerk’s office from being open beyond the normal business hours (such as evenings
and weekends) for the purpose of processing, accepting or issuing absentee
ballots.

6 – Prevent
a clerk from operating a satellite office for the purpose of processing,
accepting or issuing AV ballots.

A couple of
thoughts:
Many local
clerk’s offices are located within 100 feet of private businesses. Are
lawmakers attempting to tell those business owners that, by law, they cannot
display a campaign sign in their window that refers to candidates or ballot
proposals?

And could
there be a more blatant trampling of local control in Michigan elections than
telling clerks that they cannot stay open during off-hours to assist absentee
voters? Maybe the bill should be amended to limit Election Day voting to 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
 

Recent Posts: