The spokesperson for the ballot. Secure MI Vote is an initiative launched by Republican voters looking to tighten Michigans voting and election laws. LANSING, Mich. The Secure MI Vote campaign says they're confident they have enough signatures to get their initiative to the legislature. 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. Though Michigan already has a voter ID law, Secure MI Votes initiative would remove the ability to submit an affidavit for individuals without an ID to cast a ballot if they sign a statement of identity. Craig Cumbow was a volunteer with Voters Not Politicians, which ended gerrymandering in Michigan. All rights reserved.). 100% remote. Initiative organizers are hoping to send their proposal directly to Michigans GOP-majority Legislature for approval if enough signatures are gathered. On Oct. 3, Whitmer vetoed three bills -- House Bills 4837, 4838 and 4492 -- which she said aimed to suppress votes or perpetuate the Big Lie in order to discredit the 2020 election. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support her work at bit.ly/freepRFA. The Let MI Kids Learn proposal tocreate a tax credit to fund scholarships tocover educational expenses such as private school tuition said in a statement that it will continue collecting signatures for a few weeks. The overwhelming majority of polling locations in Delta Township are churches that provide free access to their space, Clark said. The Yes on Popularinitiative to decide presidential elections by the popular vote rather than the Electoral College previously announced last December that it was also aiming to put its proposal to voters in 2024. Thousands of Michigan citizens worked hard for months to collect over 500,000 signatures: letting Michigan leaders know, we want safe and secure elections. Prohibit outside corporate entities from funding Michigan elections. On July 29, 2022, Secure MI Vote submitted 514,294 signatures. LANSING Michigan Republicans are launching a petition drive to tighten state voting laws following a combative 2020 election marked by former President Donald Trump's false claims of widespread fraud. 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 . Citizen ballot measures can be called . Gretchen Whitmer. Michigan Department Of Health And Human Services, the governor has vowed will stop at her desk. "As with all statutory language and laws, thereis some interpretation and that will have to be determined,"he said. Meanwhile, two high-profile Republican-backed initiative petitionsvowed to continue collecting signatures and file their petition forms in the coming weeks in hopes that state election officials will review them quickly despite blowing past the deadline. Theinitiative would require clerks to pay churches that serve as polling locations, according to organizers. 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 initiative states that voters must provide their driver license number, state ID card number or the last four digits of their Social Security number on their absentee ballot application. It's a continuation of the Big Lie that's anti-voter and anti-democracy. The initiative petition process, however, allows lawmakers to pass the same proposals without the governor's support. The group submitted more than 400,000 signatures, Lenear said. "After the 2016 and 2020 elections, voters on both sides of the political spectrum questioned the integrity of the election," said a statement from Secure MI Vote."Secure MI Vote seeks to restore confidence in our elections by making it . Voting absentee: If your application passes the eligibility tests, a ballot is sent to you. Voting at the polls: You must vote at your precinct and provide a picture ID. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. 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. The Bureau of Elections Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities attempting to vote. Instead, state and local governments would only be allowed to use money appropriated from the government on things like voting equipment, polling places, outreach, etc. Michigan is one of more than 20 states that allows citizens to propose, revise or repeal laws by collecting a certain number of petition signatures from registered voters. Gretchen Whitmer. Ms. Benson said only 15,300 absentee ballots were. I would reject the idea that this has been rushed.. President Joe Biden speaks to the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference, Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Baltimore. He told the Free Press later that tweaks could help clerks comply with the new rules while maintaining online and easy access to applications. she asked. "Usually, people applaud when their local government gets grants to help offset some of the costs.". And so then its just more election litigation, more voter confusion.". The proposed ballot measure is an indirect initiated state statute. 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. (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. There were still 35 election-related bills making their way through the legislature as of October. In 2020, people died after they sent in their absentee ballot and before Election Day. 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. what they see as a civic duty.". 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. Related:Trust Index: Fact-checking claims regarding Michigans 2020 election. (CNN) -- Michigan Republicans' effort to get around Gov. Gov. The West Virginia House of Delegates has passed a bill that would allow for Public Service Commission inquiries into how railroads are managed, with new civil penalties for railroad operators Clerks across Michigan received money from the Center for Tech and Civic Life in 2020. 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 petition mirrors bills introduced by Republican lawmakers in Michigan to beef up election security following false accusations by former President Trump and others that the 2020 November election was rigged.. Hand recounts and audits proved our elections are secure. The application form would state that voters could only present an ID in-person to their city or township clerk if they dont list their driver license number, state ID card number or last four digits of their Social Security number. 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. 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.". "Theres nothing that compels the board given everything else that they have on the plate in a very busy election year… to deal with something for the 2024 election. "If you are going to their website, you are soliciting that application,"he said. 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. SECURE MI VOTE . If the signatures hold up, a Republican-controlled legislature could adopt the changes into law before the election. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). 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. 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. The Secure MI Vote initiative would prohibit private election funding, strengthen in-person ID rules, create a new $3 million "voter access fund . On December 28, 2022, the petition was withdrawn by Secure MI Vote.[3]. 2022 election first.". With a number of petition initiatives floating around Michigan this year, we want to make sure youre familiar with all of the facts. Roe said at a news conference that he believed that the campaign had collected enough valid signatures but identified about 20,000 fraudulent signatures when reviewing the petition forms, prompting concerns and a need for additional review. There is no evidence the grants were used for political influence, but Trump supporters falsely alleged the funds were directed only to Democratic cities, a conspiracy fueled by the involvement of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who donated $400 million to the nonprofit. Wisconsin Badgers (16-11, 8-9 Big Ten) at Michigan Wolverines (16-12, 10-7 Big Ten) Ann Arbor, Michigan; Sunday, 2 . Places that have provided free access to their space during elections "are just good community partners trying to be civically minded,"Wit said. 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. The GOP "will try every trick in the book to confuse and intimidate voters," she said. 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. Secure MI Vote; Secure MI Vote (with checkbox) 116, MCL 168.495, 523, 759, 759a, 759b, 761, 761b, 813, and adding. The Secure MI Vote petition suggests Michigans voting process is not secure, and that to fix it voting must be harder. Support WKAR and get ad-free versions of your favorite NPR podcasts. 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. 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. It is not about election security. michigan petition circulator rulesirina emelyanova pasternak 26th February 2023 / in coastal carolina football camp 2022 / by / in coastal carolina football camp 2022 / by It's about making it harder to vote and more difficult for clerks to run elections. The "Secure MI Vote" petition is making its way around Michigan communities. If this campaign fails, the effort could be dead on arrival. The ballot initiative would require an identification card, such as a driver's license, official student ID, or other government-issued ID, to cast an in-person or absentee ballot in an election. Contact her at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. If the initiative is successful, the state would require photo IDs to vote in person and either a photo ID or a partial social security number to apply to vote absentee. 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. It would also require absentee voters to provide either of these on absentee ballot applications. Republicans launch secure MI vote drive to reform Michigan election laws, Were so angry. MSU students urge gun safety at Lansing hearing, MSU police cant explain 13-minute alert gap, remain mum on shooting details, Michigan Democrats begin repeal of 1931 abortion ban, Share the article you just read on Twitter, Share the article you just read on Facebook, Share the article you just read via email, Michigan has far more power outages this week than other Midwest states, Michigan outraged toxic waste from Ohio derailment shipped to Belleville, MSU shooting: fourth victim identified, discharged from hospital, Michigans lousy infrastructure has many begging: Fix the damn noisy roads, Michigan lawmakers send Whitmer tax cuts; $180 payments are dead, Michigan State shooting: Alerts to students delayed as police rushed to campus. For future generations and for the security for your own vote please help us. Organizers argue that in order to ensure a fair election, it is necessary to require Michigan voters to present a photo ID, to limit how absent voter ballots are distributed, how funds are used during elections and more. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 9, 2021 CONTACT: Hannah Lupi, 517-643-5153 LANSING, Mich. - Voters Not Politicians Ballot Committee (VNP) today submitted objections to the Michigan Department of State about the disingenuous, false and misleading Petition Summary submitted by the "Secure MI Vote" group. 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. Roe, the group's spokesperson,said clerks would have to paychurches and places of worship that currently provide access to their space for free to serve as polling locations. Feb 26, 2023. Jacob and Secure Michigan Vote say State Representative Cynthia Johnson demeaned. Secure MI Vote is a petition initiative, meaning if organizers can obtain around 340,000 signatures, the measures would go to the Legislature for approval. "Anything submitted after this date is a proposal that could ultimately be submitted to voters at the 2024 ballot,"he said. Redistricting commission is a new opportunity for Michiganders to improve our process, It's time to break Michigans fossil fuel addiction and that means no pipeline, no tunnel, I lost my child to the flu, please protect yours from this vaccine-preventable disease. The initiative proposes to amend, or change, nine sections of. To ensure that voters have accurate information about what the anti-voter [] "Once you tell people what's in it, they're going to vote 'no.' It's clear and. SHELBURNE Twenty-five warrant articles comprise this year's annual Town Meeting discussion, including Article 4 seeking approval of $607,765 as the operating budget. The ballot initiative would enable Republicans to bypass a veto by Whitmer. We arent there yet. Whitmer vetoes election bills aimed at overhauling voter ID rules, Petition to overhaul voter ID laws receives state board approval to collect signatures, Whitmer vetoes election bills, saying they 'fail to advance' safe and secure elections, Michigan House Republicans pass bill aimed at expediting review of petition initiatives, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Supporters of the proposal argue that funds acquired from outside sources could lead to bias and unfairness with how elections are carried out. Under current law, voters must either present an ID or sign an affidavit. Initiative Petition . The petition aims to assist those who do not have access or face financial hardship in obtaining an ID in the creation of a $3 million Voter Access Fund.. In Michigan, anyone can vote absentee for any reason as of 2018 -- and many chose to do so for elections that took place in 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic. The committee is seeking state approval for the form of its petition, the first step in a plan to bypass Democratic Gov. Gov. The panels investigation found no evidence of widespread or systematic fraud in the Michigan election. But organizers of the GOP petition drive say their plan would make that process easier and help the state pay for it. Absent voter ballots allow residents to vote by mail ahead of Election Day. Prohibiting election administration grants in future elections will cut off a funding source that Michigan clerks say helped them manage a successful election despite a global pandemic. Our elections are secure, Secure MI Vote is about making voting harder, which affects all voters. Secure MI Vote executive director Jeff Litten is pledging a "significant 'no' campaign" against the amendment. The initiative would require clerks to pay churches that serve as polling locations, according to organizers. Currently, there are seven bills sitting in committee to make voting easier. Both can be done. 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. Secure MI Vote petition makes voting harder, we need real improvement Craig Cumbow, guest writer View Comments The Secure MI Vote petition suggests Michigan's voting process is. 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. 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. Opponents say if approved, the Secure MI Vote ballot initiative would further disenfranchise minority and low-income voters. Those campaigns have announced that they will try to make the 2024 ballot instead of putting their proposals before voters in the upcoming midterm. We really need to take our time to make sure that we are protecting the citizens of Michigans right to your state legislation, Bradshaw said. However, a certain group of people dont want safe and secure elections: they want power and influence. The Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature recently attempted to pass stricter voting laws, similar to what is being proposed by Secure MI Vote. Secure MI Votes petition would also make it illegal for private entities to donate money for election administration and would prohibit election officials from sending out absentee ballot applications without a specific request from a voter. 2023 Michigan State University Board of Trustees. 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