Senate Bill 259 kicks off implementation of expanding voting rights for Michiganders!

Less than 1% of Michigan absentee ballots were rejected in that November 2020 election, according to a U.S. Election Assistance Commission report, but 4.6% of Michigan military and overseas ballots were rejected.

“That’s just wrong,” said Melanie Macey, policy counsel for Promote the Vote. “And this bill implementing the constitutional amendment is how it gets righted.”

Check out the full article HERE

The post MLIVE: MILITARY, OVERSEAS VOTING BILL BEGINS MICHIGAN PROP 2 IMPLEMENTATION appeared first on Promote the Vote Michigan.

MORE VOTING RIGHTS BILLS ARE MOVING IN THE LEGISLATURE

Prop 2 Implementation Bills

• The House and Senate Elections Committees heard testimony on the following bills that will implement many of the remaining provisions of Prop 2. PTV expects the Committees to vote on these bills next week.

• SB 367/HB 4695 – to implement guidance and procedures around the constitutionally required nine-days of early voting. PTV’s testimony is available here.

• SB 368/HB 4696 – to establish penalties for certain early voting violations. PTV’s testimony is available here.

• SB 369/HB 4699 – to establish the permanent mail ballot list, which allows voters to sign one application to receive an absentee ballot for every future election. PTV’s testimony is available here.  

• SB 370/HB 4700 – to improve the absentee ballot application system and the signaturing matching and curing process. PTV’s testimony is available here.

• SB 372/HB 4697 – to implement guidance and procedures for obtaining, distributing, and securing drop boxes. PTV’s testimony is available here.

• SB 373/HB 4698 – to expand the types of identification that can be used for voter identification purposes. PTV’s testimony is available here.

 

Other Pro-Voter Bills

• The House Elections Committee reported several bills favorably out of committee this week:

  • HB 4568 – to eliminate the prohibition on paid transportation to the polls

  • HB 4569 – to establish pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds

  • HB 4570 – to codify the online absentee ballot application system and expand the system to those without Michigan driver’s licenses or state IDs

  • HB 4567 – to eliminate the requirement that certain ballots must be processed as challenged

  • HB 4156 & HB 4440 – to join the National Popular Vote Compact

• The Senate and House Elections Committees also heard testimony on SB 374/HB 4702 which would increase the size of Election Day precincts.

• Additional information on the status of these and other pro-voter bills already moving through the legislature is available from mLive, Detroit Free Press, Michigan Radio, and Bridge Michigan.