DETROIT — Today, the Michigan Board of Elections released the 1,000-signature sample submitted by the American Citizens for Voting–Michigan campaign, which is advocating to place a measure on the November ballot that would decimate voting rights in Michigan.
Their proposal would require every voter to show proof of citizenship to register to vote or update their voter registration, which would likely prevent hundreds of thousands of otherwise eligible Michigan voters from voting. Under this proposal, a driver’s license, state ID, or Real-ID would not be enough: a document like a certified birth certificate or passport would count.
The implications of this proposal would be disastrous for countless Michiganders in very real ways. Eligible working people with families to take care of may not have the ability to take off work or pay $150 to obtain a birth certificate or passport. Rural voters would have to travel significant distances to acquire the documents they need to vote. Many older voters may be unable to access a birth certificate.
The consequences would be catastrophic: Eligible Michiganders could be stopped from voting if this proposal is enacted.
Other states that have enacted similar proposals, such as Arizona and Kansas, have experienced chaos and confusion in the wake of flawed proof of citizenship policies. Those laws were ultimately ruled unconstitutional. This proposed policy would create two separate systems of voting for state and federal elections with two different ballots for different voters. It even threatens prison time for election officials who make a mistake during a hectic and busy election season.
Eligible Michigan voters should not have to face barriers to the ballot box, nor should hardworking and election workers be inundated with confusion and chaos as they work to make sure every eligible voter can cast a ballot – and every vote is counted. Michigan’s elections are secure and accurate.
###
This statement was sent on behalf of the ACLU of Michigan, All Voting is Local, Engage Michigan, Michigan Voices, Promote the Vote, and Voters Not Politicians.
Stay Informed
Sign up to be the first to hear about how to take action.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.