House Passes Legislation Amending Michigan Voter Laws

Liz Gullett

Dec 11, 2015

This week the House passed two bills making changes to Michigan’s voting laws. The first bill would eliminate straight ticket voting, thus removing the ability to cast one vote for a single party in all partisan races. The bill includes a $5 million appropriation for the Department of State to purchase voting equipment to help with the changes, thus making it referendum proof. Only nine states currently allow for straight ticket voting. County clerks have voiced concerns that this change could lead to longer lines at the polls, because a vote will need to be cast for each individual race on the ballot. The bill has been returned to the Senate for their concurrence on changes the House made to the Senate-passed version of the bill.

The straight ticket elimination bill was tie-barred to a bill that would allow for no-reason absentee voting. The bills where tie-barred to help with the possible issue of longer lines at the polls once straight ticket voting is eliminated. The legislation allows for a person to request an absentee ballot for any reason, but they must do so in person at the local clerk’s office and provide a driver license, state identification card, or any generally recognized picture identification card. If the bill is given approval by both chambers and the governor, it would take effect January 1, 2016, making it eligible for the next presidential election. The House granted approval to the bill and it has been referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee for consideration.

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