2015 Voting Rights Legislative Priorities
The ingenuity, innovation and hard work of Michigan citizens had lead to advancements that changed the world. This holds true for democracy and voting. Michigan led the nation in the development and adoption of the motor voter system. As a result of our leadership, the vast majority of citizens across the country are now offered the opportunity to register to vote when they apply for a driver’s license.
Unfortunately, for the last two decades, Michigan has done nothing to increase access to the ballot. Michigan is one of only 5 states with such severe restrictions on the freedom to register and cast a ballot. Voting modernizations are sweeping the country, in liberal, conservative and battleground states, but so far there has been no progress in Michigan.
Michigan must begin in 2015 by taking basic steps to modernize voting.
Online Voter RegistrationOnline voter registration systems do not cost that much to develop and can be implemented within a matter of months. The Secretary of State already offers a similar service to registered voters seeking to update their address. Most states limit OVR to those with a driver’s license or personal identification card because the SOS already has a signature for these individuals on file. / · Ensures Privacy: Provides the freedom and convenience to register to vote from the privacy of one’s home.
· Saves Valuable Resources: Pays for itself and saves local government's critical resources.
· Improves Accuracy: Reduces errors associated with bad handwriting and data entry.
· Safe and Secure: No fraud or security breaches reported in 13 year existence.
· Bipartisan Support: Secretary of State (SOS), Michigan Township Association (MTA) and Michigan Council of Election Officials (MCEO).
No-Excuse Absentee Voting
All registered voters in Michigan should have the freedom and convenience to cast a ballot before Election Day. When Michigan is compared to other states, the impact of these restrictions is stark. In 2012, 25% of Michigan voters cast a ballot before Election Day, as compared to more than 60% of the voters in Colorado and Texas. No-excuse absentee voting must be combined with expanded night and weekend hours and satellite in-person absentee locations in order to achieve full utilization. / · Removes Barriers to Voting: Working people, parents, limited English proficiency voters and those without transportation deserve the freedom to cast a ballot before Election Day.
· Improves Efficiency and Customer Service: Reduces the demand at polling places on Election Day, which shortens lines and improves the experience for voters and pollworkers.
· Low or No Cost of Implementation: There is no cost to implement no-excuse absentee voting.
· Bipartisan Support: SOS, MTA and MCEO.
Portable Registration
Portable registration is a common sense reform given the mobility of Michigan citizens. Portable registration simply requires (1) a poll worker to verify the voter is registered elsewhere in the state; and (2) the voter to complete a simple affidavit updating their registration and provide any necessary supporting documentation. / · Removes Barriers to Voting and Increases Voter Participation: Eliminates disenfranchisement of voters who move and improves access for registered voters who move, particularly college students living away from home.
· Improves Efficiency & Customer Service: Reduces provisional ballots usage, and shortens wait times at the polls on Election Day.
· Low or No Cost of Implementation: The critical infrastructure needed to implement it is already in place, namely the QVF.
Pre-Registration of 16 and 17 Year Olds
Pre-registration would allow young people to complete the necessary paperwork to register to vote in a Secretary of State branch office when they obtain their driver’s license or personal identification card. Pre-registrants would automatically move from pre-registered to registered, and be sent a voter registration card, when they will be eighteen years of age by the next election. / · Maintains Current Eligible Voter Requirements: Pre-registration would not change the requirements for who is eligible to vote.
· Removes Barriers to Voting and Increases Voter Participation: This would reduce the number of young people who register by mail and are ineligible to receive an absentee ballot the first time they vote. Young people would be connected to voting at a younger age and in turn, develop the habit of voting earlier.
· Low or No Cost of Implementation: Critical infrastructure needed to implement it is already in place, namely the QVF.
· Bipartisan Support: MTA and MCEO.
Technology Upgrades
Michigan’s voting machines are past their expected life span and as a result, the state saw widespread machine breakdown in the last presidential election. New voting machines must be in place for the next presidential election, with a phased-roll-out beginning in an earlier, low-turnout election. The SOS will need a substantial appropriation to purchase machines, in addition to utilizing federal funds provided under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). / · Removes Barriers to Voting: Upgrading technology will reduce the frequency of tabulator breakdown and thus reduce the disenfranchisement associated with long lines.
· Improves Efficiency and Customer Service: Reduces delays and lines that result when tabulators break down, and improves the experience for voters and pollworkers.
· Bipartisan Support: SOS, MTA and MCEO.
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