ALPENA, Mich. - One organization says they're trying to make sure voting is fair and balanced in the state. The group submitted more than 400,000 signatures, Lenear said. The Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature recently attempted to pass stricter voting laws, similar to what is being proposed by Secure MI Vote. The language could arguably be interpreted as a blanket ban. Conservatives called the money "Zuck Bucks" and said the fundsopened the door to outside influence in the election. Lawmakers can choose whether or not to put initiative petition proposals on the ballot. Republican lawmakers have already passedbills mirroring those proposals, but Gov. 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. 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. "So thats really why theyre not looking for financial remuneration for, essentially. Initiative organizers are hoping to send their proposal directly to Michigans GOP-majority Legislature for approval if enough signatures are gathered. The initiative would require clerks to pay churches that serve as polling locations, according to organizers. 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. Thus they launched the Protect the Vote initiative that is now on YOUR November 2022 ballot. The left-leaning advocacy group Progress Michigan found that about 20% of polling locations for the 2020 election were churches or places of worship whose continued use as polling locations could be impacted by the Secure MI Vote initiative. 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. The initiative proposes to amend, or change, nine sections of. 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. Office of the Great Seal. Michigans nonpartisan, nonprofit news source, The gift that gives all year long. Other initiative petitions missed the deadline to submit signatures, including those to limit the authority of local public health officials, establish a new credit system to reduce prison sentences, conduct another audit of the 2020 presidential election, legalize psychedelic mushrooms and decertify the 2020 presidential election. "Usually, people applaud when their local government gets grants to help offset some of the costs.". Absent Voter Ballot application available - Thursday, Feb. 16th. . 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 the group plans to fileso that the GOP-led Legislature could take up the proposal quickly. Secure Michigan Vote says they're gathering petition signatures to help prevent discrepancies in the election process. We all need to vote NO on Proposal 2 on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The Board approved the petition form on September 27, 2021.[1]. Were pretty hopeful and optimistic here that we can get this process moving quickly, and get these enacted into law, Roe said. He said the same of voters stopping by their clerk's office to obtain an application. 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. LANSING, MI The Secure MI Vote committee can begin collecting signatures to tighten voter ID laws after the Michigan Board of Canvassers approved the groups petition language Monday morning. 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. On Oct. 17, Whitmer vetoed two more bills aimed at making sweeping changes to the states election code -- the latest of dozens the governor has vowed will stop at her desk. The Board approved the petition form on September 27, 2021. 3 min read. Please support our work, Michigan Republicans want to bypass Gov. The Secure MI Vote initiative would prohibit private election funding, strengthen in-person ID rules, create a new $3 million "voter access fund . [1] See also 2022 measures 2022 ballot measures Constitutional rights on the ballot Elections and campaigns on the ballot 2022 legislative sessions Michigan WKAR Public Media | Rather than sign a petition to make voting harder for no reason, call your representative and senator and ask them to make real improvements. Citing scores of audits, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, called the election one of the most secure in Michigan history. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed the legislation. I will have no part in any effort that grants an ounce of credence to this deception (the Big Lie), so injurious to our democracy, Whitmer wrote in a letter to legislators last month. LINCOLN, Neb. It makes no mention of presenting a copy of an ID or showing one to county clerks. 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. With the Bears and Cardinals selling draft picks, is it time for the Colts to trade up? 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. Our elections are secure, Secure MI Vote is about making voting harder, which affects all voters. The results were certified and officially audited by trusted local election officials, as required by law. 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. The Trump campaign filed the most post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 United States presidential election in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. 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. 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. Its possible Republicans could pivot and decide to put the initiative on the 2022 ballot instead to try and drive turnout among voters who believe the stop the steal big lies, Timmer speculated earlier this month. "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. Secure MI Vote; Secure MI Vote (with checkbox) 116, MCL 168.495, 523, 759, 759a, 759b, 761, 761b, 813, and adding. 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. Some election officials worry they might have to remove ballot applications from their websites or stacks of blank applications available in their offices for voters to pick up. Roe said it allows voters to mail in a copy of their ID. Roe called such claims nonsense and touted polling suggesting most Michigan voters support the reform. 2023 Michigan State University Board of Trustees. Support local journalism by becoming a new WKAR donor and get ad-free feeds of your favorite NPR podcasts with NPR+ when you donate $8/month or more! Both can be done. Contact her at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. [1], The campaign Secure MI Vote filed a petition with the State Board of Canvassers on September 2, 2021. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support her work at bit.ly/freepRFA. Voter fraud is a felony. Secure MI Vote is an initiative launched by Republican voters looking to tighten Michigan's voting and election laws. But the president of One Fair Wage, Saru Jayaraman,said in a statement that the Michigan campaign to increase the minimum wage decided to delay its own signature submissions "out of an abundance of caution.". 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. In order to get the proposed legislation in front of lawmakers or on the ballot,sponsors of these petition initiatives had to collect at least 340,047 voter signatures. Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues. The overwhelming majority of polling locations in Delta Township are churches that provide free access to their space, Clark said. I would hope that the legislature would take immediate action particularly, please if we act with dispatch to get support from across the state.. For future generations and for the security for your own vote please help us. Gretchen Whitmer. Why would anyone risk a felony charge for one vote? Critics argue that ID requirements like those outlined in Secure MI Votes initiative would put a burden on voters who do not have IDs and cannot easily obtain them, specifically older and low-income populations. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes bashed the new initiative, accusing Republicans of "creating barriers to voting so fewer people have access to the polls." The petition was submitted by Secure MI Vote, a Republican-backed committee looking to add steps and security measures to voting procedures. 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. 2022 election first.". Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. 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. Secure MI Vote executive director Jeff Litten is pledging a "significant 'no' campaign" against the amendment. The Michigan Require Voter ID and Prohibit Private Funding for Election Administration Purposes Initiative will not appear on the ballot in Michigan as an indirect initiated state statute on November 5, 2024. Voting at the polls: You must vote at your precinct and provide a picture ID. Select from these options: Neighborhood News, Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines, and Daily Forecasts. Ojai City Council districts. (Bridge file photo) September 23, 2021 Jonathan Oosting ( Email) & Mike Wilkinson ( Email) Michigan Government Michigan Secretary of State, Gov. State Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) said he hopes elections staff will review the signatures quickly. If that petition collects its roughly . Why arent they being worked on? By The Associated Press. 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. More than 400 such bills have been introduced in 49 states. everyone sentenced for a crime committed in Michigan. Wisconsin Badgers (16-11, 8-9 Big Ten) at Michigan Wolverines (16-12, 10-7 Big Ten) Ann Arbor, Michigan; Sunday, 2 . Pursuant to state law the Ojai City Council will take the second finalizing vote on amending the city's Reach Code ordinance that bans natural gas infrastructure in new construction. Michigan charges $10 for an ID and already has a program to waive those fees for low-income residents receiving state aid. For instance, afunction could be addedonline for voters torequest an application, he said. Supporters of the proposal argue that funds acquired from outside sources could lead to bias and unfairness with how elections are carried out. "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. 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. Michigan already has secure elections and strong . 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. Many of the bills have since been vetoed by Democratic Gov. Michigan Require Voter ID and Prohibit Private Funding for Election Administration Purposes Initiative (2024), https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Michigan_Require_Voter_ID_and_Prohibit_Private_Funding_for_Election_Administration_Purposes_Initiative_(2024)&oldid=9045540, Not on the ballot future date statewide ballot measures, Did not make ballot, voting policy measures, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. Who's in, out of race? Gretchen Whitmer's vetoes and implement new voting restrictions via a petition drive is set to ramp up this weekend, with a new push. But clerks worry that conflicting requirements proposed by the initiative would cause confusion. 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 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. 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. "We need to file tomorrow. There were still 35 election-related bills making their way through the legislature as of October. The Secure MI Vote initiative would also bar in-kind contributions. Once you tell people whats in it, theyre going to vote 'no.' 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. Ahead of last years elections, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson sent absent voter ballot applications -- not actual ballots -- to millions of registered voters to alert them of the option to vote by mail. Secure MI Vote: Initiated statute: Elections reforms: Unlock Michigan II: Initiated statute: Weaken gubernatorial powers in an emergency: Let MI Kids Learn A: . 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. Will you please support our nonprofit newsroom? 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