THE BILL - DISCOURAGING REGISTRATION
SB 302 - Kim LaSata, R-Bainbridge Twp.
Adds a statement to the voter registration application that the voter does not “claim voting residence or the right to vote” in another state.
THE PROBLEM
Adding unnecessary and confusing language to the voter registration form is just another Republican tactic meant to confuse and discourage voters.
THE BILLS - MORE GOP CHALLENGES OF VOTERS
SB 290 - Rick Outman, R-Six Lakes | SB 309 - Jon Bumstead, R-Newaygo
Eliminates non-partisan organizations from credentialing challengers, allows challengers from candidates as well as political parties, and expands the types of permitted challenges of voters.
THE PROBLEM
These bills pave the way for vastly larger numbers of GOP challengers to engage in more voter intimidation and delay tactics in precincts and absentee counting boards.
THE BILLS - MORE POWER TO BOARDS OF CANVASSERS
SB 273 - Ruth Johnson, R-Holly | SB 283 - Kim LaSata, R-Bainbridge Twp. | SB 297 - Ed McBroom, Vulcan
Give unelected County Boards of Canvassers, whose role is to simply canvass the votes and certify our elections, discretionary powers over drop boxes, absentee ballot containers, and the clerks’ hiring of assistants to help conduct the canvass. Video surveillance is also required for all drop boxes.
THE PROBLEM
This is a partisan power grab. County Boards of Canvassers should not have the authority to nix or limit drop boxes, disapprove absentee ballot containers, or get involved in clerks’ personnel decisions. Legislation does not provide funding for mandatory video surveillance of drop boxes, which likely limits the number of drop boxes in more populated cities or townships. It is unfortunate that the Republicans view these boards as a vehicle to undermine our local clerks, who are in the best position to make these important decisions.
THE BILL - MORE PARTISAN ABUSE OF BOARDS OF CANVASSERS
SB 296 - Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan
Expands the number of people on County Boards of Canvassers in large (primarily Democratic) counties and
requires at least two members of each political party to approve any action.
THE PROBLEM
There is no justifiable reason to expand these boards. This will increase the likelihood of partisan abuse and
gridlock of the canvassing and certification process. Once again, this is the Republican Legislature trying to
manipulate outcomes by introducing further partisan division into these important bodies.
THE BILL - IMPOSSIBLE STANDARD FOR ELECTION INSPECTORS
SB 294 - Rick Outman, R-Six Lakes
Requires that there be no more than two election inspectors from one political party for every one inspector from the other party.
THE PROBLEM
This would be impossible to achieve in many municipalities -- as recognized by current law -- and would also lead to attempts to throw out votes in areas where the standard is not met.
THE BILLS - MAKING AUDITS PARTISAN
SB 275 - Jim Runestad, R-White Lake Twp. | SB 288 - Jon Bumstead, R-Newaygo
Adds a partisan element to audits by allowing political parties to videotape audits and requiring clerks to appoint election inspectors from each party to conduct the audits (currently conducted by clerk staff).
THE PROBLEM
All attempts by the Republicans in the legislature to undermine our local clerks should be suspect. Adding partisan election inspectors to audits makes these important security checks more susceptible to partisan influence and mischief.
THE BILLS - JEOPARDIZING ELECTION FUNDING
SB 284 - Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway | SB 289 - Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton
Prohibits the state and all local government units from accepting much-needed funding for election administration, and requires that federal funding received for election purposes be returned if it’s not appropriated by the Legislature in a budget act within 90 days.
THE PROBLEM
If our clerks have the opportunity to receive financial assistance that will allow them to obtain much-needed
resources like PPE, more tabulators and voting booths, drop boxes, or other critical equipment, the state Legislature should not stand in their way. And subjecting federal election funding to the budget act process invites the
Republican Legislature to hold funds hostage for partisan gain.
THE BILL - UNDERMINING CITIZENS’ INITIATIVES
SB 280 - Ruth Johnson, R-Holly
Makes it harder for citizens to collect initiative petition signatures, by reducing the signature-gathering period by 40 days. The new deadline for the November ballot would be mid-April rather than late May, eliminating one of the warmer months for signature collection.
THE PROBLEM
This is a naked attempt to subvert the will of the people by making an already challenging process of ballot initiatives even harder. Michiganders deserve to be able to go to the ballot with initiatives.
THE BILL - ENCOURAGING ELECTION DISINFORMATION
SB 305 - Dale Zorn, R-Ida
Makes it a misdemeanor for the Secretary of State and county and local clerks to use their name or likeness on any election-related communications paid for with public money, including educational materials and election inspector recruitment.
THE PROBLEM
The number one tool in the Republicans belt is disinformation and sowing distrust in our election process. Voters know that when they are getting information from our Secretary of State or their local clerk, they can rely on it, and they know this because their name and likeness is on the document.
THE BILL - IMPOSSIBLE DEADLINES FOR CLERKS
SB 299 - Dale Zorn, R-Ida
Creates a new, earlier deadline for clerks to finish counting ballots and report results to the County Board of Canvassers.
THE PROBLEM
Because clerks are not permitted to begin tabulating absentee ballots until 7 am on Election Day, this deadline may be impossible for many clerks to meet, and will lead to attempts to disqualify ballots not counted by the deadline.