The Secure MI Vote initiative would prohibit private election funding, strengthen in-person ID rules, create a new $3 million "voter access fund . "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. Michigans Republican-led Senate proposed a more extensive and aggressive voting reform package in March, but the legislation was slowed by disagreements with the GOP-led House. Attorney Chris Trebilcock, representing Protect MI Vote, spoke in front of the board Monday to argue that the petition is being rushed because the public didnt have enough time to review the updated summary. The initiative would require clerks to pay churches that serve as polling locations, according to organizers. [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. Ballots of the dead are not counted. June 1, 2022 (5 p.m.) . Streaming on ClickOnDetroit and Local 4+ from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. weekdays. Those affidavits are then reviewed and either approved or rejected by election officials. 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. 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. Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed similar proposals. If that petition collects its roughly . Rather than sign a petition to make voting harder for no reason, call your representative and senator and ask them to make real improvements. Weve tried different mechanisms to make sure that if the people submit circulated petitions or initiated legislation, for constitutional amendments or otherwise, that theres at least a timely resolution to that. Lisa D. Connell. If the legislature does not approve the initiative, then it appears on the next general election ballot. Wit received nearly $12,000 and used the money to increase pay for some workers and bring in part-time staff to handle a record number of absentee ballots. Michigan Democrats have promised that any bills that attempt to place new restrictions on voting won't get past Gov. Yet, it won't be on the November ballot. Carlos Osorio - staff, AP Feb 27, 2023 22 min ago A DTE contractor crew works on a power line, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, in northwest Detroit. There has to be adequate notice given to the public and an opportunity to review things so that meaningful debate and objection can occur, Trebilcock said. Dozens of staffers called on CEO Howard Schultz to revoke the company's return to office policy and allow unionization efforts to operate freely. We arent there yet. . If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. However, a certain group of people don't want safe and secure elections: they want power and influence. Roe called such claims nonsense and touted polling suggesting most Michigan voters support the reform. Citizen led drive to secure Michigan's elections. 5. 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. The Secure MI Vote petition was initiated after dozens of Republican-backed, voter restriction bills were introduced in the Michigan Legislature. Michigan already has secure elections and strong . If they fail to do so, they can "present an original or a copy"of an ID to their "city, township, or county clerk." Want to see more local news? The initiative is proposing quite a bit of change, and were going to break down everything you need to know. 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 committee's leaders reasoned they wanted more time to make sure the signatures they did collect would stand up to scrutiny. Lawmakers can also choose to enact the proposed changes themselves. The "Secure MI Vote" petition is a deceptive effort to silence the voice of the people. Weve been there for you with daily Michigan COVID-19 news; reporting on the emergence of the virus, daily numbers with our tracker and dashboard, exploding unemployment, and we finally were able to report on mass vaccine distribution. Under Michigan election law, theBoard of State Canvassers must determinewhether the initiative obtained enough valid signatures. Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck, a Republican who co-chairs the Michigan Association of County Clerks legislative committee, said the language "represents at best a couple of significant typos, but at worst a lack of understanding of the process itself." Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. An initiative called Secure MI Vote is collecting petition signatures in support of altering Michigans election code in an effort to tighten voter and election laws. Michigan faces conference rival Wisconsin. Contact her at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Steve Liedel,an attorney who previously served as legal counsel to Democratic Gov. If lawmakers enact the initiative, voters will receive guidancein order to comply with the new rules, he said. Petition summary approved by the Board of State Canvassers on : November 15, 2021. The term "citizen ballot measure" is used to describe citizen-initiated processes to amend state constitutions or city charters, to uphold or repeal a law passed by the state legislature (veto referendum), to propose state laws, to approve bond issues or tax proposals, or to initiate a recall election. Related: When will the madness end? -- Michigan Auditor General requests some counties review 2020 election results again. 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 . LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Michigan Republicans leading the Secure MI Vote ballot petition have six months to collect at least 340,000 voter signatures. The group submitted more than 400,000 signatures, Lenear said. "I guess Im confused," Wit said of the proposed ban on donations. The initiative would also create a new "voter access fund" in state government and seed it with $3 million to provide free ID to voters who claim a hardship. Independently operated voter helplines staffed by volunteers, for instance, might be considered in-kind contributions that help defray the costs of administering elections, she said. State IDs cost $10 in Michigan, and the state already has a program to waive those fees for low-income residents who qualify for other forms of government assistance. Here's more on that and why some groups say . Spies said it was a "misdirection to think that anybody is not going to get clear instructions on how to vote." With a number of petition initiatives floating around Michigan this year, we want to make sure youre familiar with all of the facts. Office of the Great Seal. That shouldnt sit here in limbo forever, Barrett 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. Opponents say if approved, the Secure MI Vote ballot initiative would further disenfranchise minority and low-income voters. (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. The organization was the beneficiary of a $350 million donation from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. Private organizations would not be able to donate money or in-kind contributions toward any activity or item related to an election. "If youre going to use the church for a polling place, you have to pay that church fair market value for the use of their facility,"he said. Unless they have plans to spend just a ton of money per signature and flood the streets to get the signatures quickly, its hard to imagine that they can get 350,000 plus enough cushion in order to have it certified by the Secretary of State in calendar year 2020, said Jeff Timmer, a former Michigan GOP official who opposes Trump and the effort to tighten voting laws. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers approved petition language on Monday, allowing Secure MI Vote to begin seeking signatures to approve voting restrictions as a citizen initiative. Secure MI Vote will have 180 days to collect the signatures. If the ballot committee collects roughly 340,000 valid voter signatures, the GOP-led Legislature can enact the changes into law without Democratic Gov. 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. More: Whitmer vetoes election bills, saying they 'fail to advance' safe and secure elections, More: Michigan House Republicans pass bill aimed at expediting review of petition initiatives. All rights reserved. Organizers propose that $3 million is allocated to that fund for the fiscal year ending in September of 2022. Democratic and Republican officials in more than 465 Michigan cities, townships and counties applied for and received the assistance, securing private money to help perform public elections. What they think is irrelevant," he said. If they don't enact the initiative, it goes to a statewide vote. The competition between efforts is not new. LANSING, MI The Secure MI Vote committee can begin collecting signatures to tighten voter ID laws after the Michigan Board of Canvassers approved the group's petition language Monday. That ballot would only be counted if the voter later confirms their identity with their local clerk, which would have to be done within six days of voting. The 'Secure MI Vote' petition is an attempt to change voting laws, by ignoring the will of the people of Michigan and going around the checks and balances of a constitutional government.. On December 28, 2022, the petition was withdrawn by Secure MI Vote. The appropriation would also make it harder to overturn the proposed voting reforms because the Michigan Constitution does not allow voter referendums that challenge spending provisions. "The most important thing for us is that one million Michigan workers get $15 per hour, and this is that path that ensures us that victory," Jayaraman said. The Michiganders for Fair Lendingproposal would cap interest rates on payday loans at a 36% annual percentage rate. 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. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. 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. everyone sentenced for a crime committed in Michigan. Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson did just that ahead of the November 2020 election, mailing absentee applications to every registered voter, drawing criticism from Republicans who claimed doing so allows opportunities for fraud. Michigan is one of two states with a constitutional provision that expressly prohibits the governor from vetoing resident-initiated legislation that is adopted by the Legislature instead. Sept. 23:What to know about Secure MI Vote initiative: security or suppression?Sept. Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues. Supporters say: It's common sense. The Michigan Board of Canvassers unanimously approved the form of the petition initiative submitted by the Republican-backed Secure MI Vote committee at a meeting Monday, Sept. 27. Also on the Feb. 28 agenda is a discussion item on off-site valet parking. In Michigan, citizen-initiated statutes that receive enough valid signatures are sent to the Legislature, which then has 40 days to pass the initiative into law. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. The Board approved the petition form on September 27, 2021.[1]. 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. LANSING, Mich. (Great Lakes News) - The group "Secure MI Vote" has six months to collect at least 340,000 signatures for a ballot petition that would tighten Michigan's election laws, including requiring identification to vote. Support WKAR and get ad-free versions of your favorite NPR podcasts. Require in-person voters to present a photo ID. The state of Michigan recorded its highest voter turnout -- especially among absentee voters -- in history in the 2020 General Election. 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. Conservatives called the money "Zuck Bucks" and said the fundsopened the door to outside influence in the election. The upcoming election year may look different if Michigan Republicans are successful in their petition to rewrite voting laws, and in theory, they could do it with only 8% of previous voters' signatures, according to the Michigan constitution.. Gretchen Whitmer's signature. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Judges appointed by both Republicans and Democrats rejected more than 60 lawsuits challenging the outcome.. "Because some of the questions that clerks are raising across the state are things that could be addressed through committees, through taking testimony, hearing from stakeholders. 3 min read. Voters without an ID would have to present a copy of their birth certificate or Social Security card and documentation verifying their address. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen. Body parts found in soup pots believed to belong to Hong Kong model Abby Choi. But filling out an application for another voter is already a crime, and theres no evidence the mailings led to any significant ballot fraud last year. Hand recounts and audits proved our elections are secure. 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. Secure MI Vote executive director Jeff Litten is pledging a "significant 'no' campaign" against the amendment. 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. Republicans contend the mailings opened the door to potential voter fraud, and they accurately note that some applications were inadvertently sent to an address where the intended voter no longer lived. Last year, the Republican-controlled state Senate and House passed the Unlock Michigan initiative petition to repeal the emergency powers law Whitmer used early on in the COVID-19 pandemic to issue health and safety restrictions. My suggested improvements: You should be able to vote seven days before the election at your clerks office. Depending on the type of initiative, if petition organizers collect the required number of signatures, their proposal would either go to the state legislature for approval, or directly on the ballot of the next general election for voters to decide on. Voter fraud is already a felony in Michigan and the attorney general has prosecuted people accordingly. Michigan election reform Secure MI Vote. ", More: Whitmer vetoes election bills aimed at overhauling voter ID rules, More: Petition to overhaul voter ID laws receives state board approval to collect signatures. The "Promote the Vote 2022" ballot initiative would amend the state constitution to improve both security and access to the polls, including expanding early voting and allowing more time for military members to cast their ballots, voting rights leaders said at a Monday press conference. But organizers of that initiative announced Tuesdaythat they wouldn't pursue the initiative petition process and instead focus on pushing lawmakers to enact legislation next year. The campaign Secure MI Vote filed a petition with the State Board of Canvassers on September 2, 2021. Some Michigan residents faced a fourth straight day . While the loudest criticism against a GOP effort in Michigan to change the state's election laws has targeted itsproposed strict voter ID rules, clerks worry that the Secure MI Vote petition initiative would usher in other far-reaching changes. If this campaign fails, the effort could be dead on arrival. Gretchen Whitmer, whose promise to veto any legislation making it harder to vote has complicated similar efforts in Michigans Republican-led Legislature. Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, a Democrat who also co-chairs the clerks associations legislative committee, wrote in an email that the initiative has "no regard for how the voters could practically and legally carry out this language if it was approved.". With a majority of the House and Senate supporting these citizen petitions, new laws will go into play making our elections secure. "The proposals that we're making I. Were pretty hopeful and optimistic here that we can get this process moving quickly, and get these enacted into law, Roe said. Gov. The Michigan Constitution allows citizens including political operatives and special interest groups to initiate legislation through a petition drive and advance the measure to the Legislature and potentially the statewide ballot. 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. Democrats have argued the Secure MI Vote plan creates barriers to voting so fewer people have access to the polls. Charlie Spies, a lawyer for Secure MI Vote, said that future guidance would provide clarity, including how toimplement the new ID rules, the focus of the initiative, hesaid. The secretary of state defended her actions, however, arguing that it was necessary to present a remote voting option amid the ongoing public health crisis. Clerks wonder if the ban on in-kind contributions which applies to any election-related activitymight bar volunteer involvement in elections. The planned petition from Secure MI Vote, a ballot committee set up in December, proposes a strict photo ID requirement at polling locations and a brand new one for absentee voters, according to a . Registration: You must prove citizenship, identity, and residency to register. Contribute $8/month or more to enjoy the benefits of NPR+. Visit the FOX47News Website. Thosewho don't comply with the new ruleswould receive a provisional ballot that wouldnt count unless the voter presents an ID in-person at their clerks office within six days after an election. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If lawmakers do not take action within 40 session days, the proposed law will appear on the ballot. The proposed ballot measure is an indirect initiated state statute. "If you are going to their website, you are soliciting that application,"he said. "So thats really why theyre not looking for financial remuneration for, essentially. Now hes out as Michigan party director, Judge eyes sanctions in Kraken case that sought to overturn Michigan vote, Michigan AG, police to probe false election fraud claims after GOP report, Emails: Michigan sheriff sought to seize voting machines amid Trump claims, more than 465 Michigan cities, townships and counties, no evidence of widespread or systematic fraud. 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. Nancy Wang, of the group Voters Not Politicians, helped support the Promote the Vote amendment. The petition form can be viewed in full here. When there are fair elections, bad politicians are voted out and the good ones from both parties work together to solve problems. 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. Though Secure MI Vote is turning in its signatures for a question on the 2024 ballot, its unlikely the proposal would ever go before voters. "I think something like this is best done through the normal legislative process,"he said. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan elections are secure, don't make voting harder, Michigan elections are secure, don't make voting harder, A woman threw a house party with 65 men she matched with on Tinder and Hinge and connected with the man she's been dating for a year. A group of students wants to stop Gov. Voter fraud is a felony. More than 400 such bills have been introduced in 49 states. Secure MI Vote would bar clerks from accepting donations from individuals or nongovernment entities. Anything that reduces the lines on Election Day makes voting easier and improves security because it reduces the big crunch on Election Day. 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. By, Celebrate and explore Black History Month with WKAR. Ann Arbor City Clerk Jacqueline Beaudry, who's appointed,said that organizations on University of Michigans campus help register voters and manage lines at satellite clerks offices and polling locations. The governor cannot veto indirect initiatives that legislators approve. In 2020, people died after they sent in their absentee ballot and before Election Day. But organizers of the GOP petition drive say their plan would make that process easier and help the state pay for it. 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. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen. The state of Michigan already requires residents to present photo identification when registering to vote, and voters are required to present photo ID when voting in person. 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. In 1957, the Supreme Court, in Butler v. Michigan, overturned a Michigan statute making it a misdemeanor to sell books containing obscene language that would tend to corrupt "the morals of youth." Spies told theBoard of State Canvassers during a Sept. 23 meeting that he wasnt sure whether the initiative would require the application form to be removed from clerks websites. 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. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed the legislation. Hand recounts and. 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. Wisconsin Badgers (16-11, 8-9 Big Ten) at Michigan Wolverines (16-12, 10-7 Big Ten) Ann Arbor, Michigan; Sunday, 2 . Garlin . 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. 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. The group plans to hand over tho signatures to law enforcement and believes that some of the signatures were collected by the same circulators state election officials found committed forgery on nominating petitions filed by GOP gubernatorial candidates, Roe said. But election clerks opposed similar legislation in Lansing, arguing the change is unnecessary because there is no evidence of significant absentee ballot fraud. We'll see what the reaction is. Though the fate of either effort has yet to be determined, legislative Republicans have said the fight over voter ID requirements wont stop even if the amendment passes. To speak with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, call 517-335-2730. 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. Opponents say if approved, the Secure MI Vote. The proposals could also appear on the ballot if the Legislature proposes a different measure on the same subject,placing both proposals on the ballot for voters to approve. What about counting early absentee ballots? The petition was submitted by Secure MI Vote, a Republican-backed committee looking to add steps and security measures to voting procedures. The additional cost imposed of having to now rent that space is a big question mark, she said. 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. The committee plans to turn in the petition language to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, which is the first step in the pursuit of a new initiative. 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. So far this year, officials in Georgia and 17 other states have enacted a combined 30 laws that restrict access to voting in some way, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. Prohibit outside corporate entities from funding Michigan elections. The new Michigan initiative is the latest front in a nationwide Republican reform movement. They knew it was coming, responded Norm Shinkle, a Republican board member. On a day poised to see a slew of petition initiatives filed to change Michigan laws, only one campaign an effort to cap payday loan interest ratesdropped off signed petition forms ahead of the filing deadline Wednesdayto land a spot on the November ballot. It is not about election security. The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. It was a strategic decision to file lawsuits in these states that were too close to call during the night of election day and remained uncalled for a few days. 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. The approval to get 340,047 signatures would ban election officials from mailing absentee ballots to every voter of Michigan unless requested. Secure MI Vote filed petition language with the Michigan Bureau of Elections back in September and getting the initiative off the ground has been a smooth process so far, said Spokesman Jamie Roe. Jeannette Bradshaw, the lone Democrat in attendance Monday, agreed with Trebilcocks concerns, saying it isnt fair to the public, being that meetings were held Friday afternoon and Monday morning. I hope it rarely ever happens, but the fact of the matter is it should never happen, Roe said. 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. According to an outline shared with Bridge Michigan, the initiative would: Michigan already has a voter ID law, but the initiative would eliminate a rarely used affidavit option that allows voters without an ID to cast a normal ballot on Election Day if they attest that they are who they say they are under penalty of perjury. Believed to belong to Hong Kong model Abby Choi touted polling suggesting most Michigan voters the! There is no evidence of significant absentee ballot fraud full here not to. Organizers of the group voters not Politicians, helped support the reform suppression? Sept take within... Bills that attempt to place new restrictions on voting won & # x27 ; re making I Fair,... 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