Tuesday, the Michigan House passed several voter suppression measures that may affect Michiganders’ access to the ballot in November.
The Associated Press has more on the story:
“Michigan’s Republican secretary of state introduced the proposals, which now go to the GOP-led Senate to be considered with other proposals in that chamber.
The eight-bill House package includes requiring voters to present photo identification when applying for an absentee ballot in their first election or sign an affidavit. Third-party voter registration groups also would have to register and receive training.
The efforts have been pushed largely by Republicans and opposed by Democrats, along with nonpartisan groups such as the League of Women Voters and Project Vote.
Democrats offered numerous amendments that were rejected, including proposals to allow for online registration for voters and registration groups, as well as exempting organizations with at least five years’ experience.
‘We are considering legislation that could turn back the clock in terms of making sure that all of our citizens have free and unobstructed access to the right to vote,’ said Flint Democratic Rep. Woodrow Stanley. He and others said there’s no rampant voter fraud in Michigan that has brought about the need for such proposals in the first place.”
Read more on these bills here, here, and here.