Elections: offenses; certain felonies involving absent voter ballot applications; create. Amends sec. 759 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759).
Impact
By establishing certain felony offenses for violations involving absentee voter ballot applications, such as knowingly submitting false information or applying on behalf of another individual without consent, HB4725 dramatically intensifies the legal repercussions for voter fraud. Proponents argue that these amendments aim to protect the election process from abuses that undermine public confidence in electoral outcomes. If passed, the bill could deter fraudulent activities related to absentee voting and ensure that every vote cast is legitimate, as intended by the lawmakers.
Summary
House Bill 4725 seeks to amend the Michigan Election Law concerning the application process for absentee voter ballots. Specifically, the bill amends Section 759 of the election law, introducing stricter regulations regarding how individuals can apply for absentee ballots. This legislative proposal emphasizes the necessity of ensuring that absentee ballots are requested only by eligible voters or their immediate family members, thereby tightening the verification procedures to maintain election integrity and accountability within the voting process.
Contention
Despite the intentions to enhance election security, the bill has raised concerns among various advocacy groups and some members of the legislature. Critics argue that the stringent requirements imposed could unintentionally disenfranchise eligible voters, particularly those who may have difficulty navigating the more complex application process for absentee ballots. The potential for increased prosecutions for minor infractions is also a concern, raising questions about whether the measures genuinely enhance electoral integrity or simply create barriers for voters seeking to exercise their rights.
Elections: absent voters; electronic return of absent voter ballots by military voters and their spouses; provide for. Amends sec. 759a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759a) & repeals sec. 18a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.18a).
Elections: absent voters; signature matching and curing for absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballot return envelopes; provide for, and provide for modifications to the absent voter ballot application and process. Amends secs. 759, 761 & 766 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759 et seq.); adds secs. 766a & 766b & repeals sec. 759c of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759c). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0339'23
Elections: absent voters; signature matching and curing for absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballot return envelopes; provide for, and provide for modifications to the absent voter ballot application and process. Amends secs. 759, 761 & 766 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759 et seq.); adds secs. 766a & 766b & repeals sec. 759c of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759c). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4594'23, HB 4756'23
Elections: absent voters; electronic return of absent voter ballots by uniformed services voters; amend start date. Amends sec. 759a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759a).
Elections: absent voters; electronic return of absent voter ballots by uniformed services voters and overseas voters; allow, and codify tabulating certain absent voter ballots received up to 6 days after the election. Amends secs. 759a & 764a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759a & 168.764a) & repeals sec. 18a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.18a).
Elections: absent voters; tabulating absent voter ballots received up to 6 days after an election from an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter; provide for. Amends secs. 759a & 764a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759a & 168.764a).
Elections: registration; automatic voter registration; modify. Amends secs. 493a, 500a & 501 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.493a et seq.) & adds sec. 493b. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4569'23
Elections: petitions; process for counting duplicate petition signatures; provide for, and eliminate penalties. Amends secs. 482, 590h, 685, 957 & 958 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.482 et seq.); adds secs. 482f & 547 & repeals sec. 547a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.547a).
Elections: petitions; provisions regarding ballot initiative petitions, constitutional amendment petitions, and nominating petitions; modify, and provide for the statistical random sampling of certain petition signatures. Amends secs. 482, 482a & 544c of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.482 et seq.).
Elections: voting procedures; process for voting without identification for election purposes; modify to include proof of identity and proof of state residency. Amends secs. 523, 523a, 813 & 829 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.523 et seq.).
Elections: voting procedures; process for voting without identification for election purposes; modify to include proof of identity and proof of state residency. Amends secs. 523, 523a, 813 & 829 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.523 et seq.).
Elections: absent voters; signature matching and curing for absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballot return envelopes; provide for, and provide for modifications to the absent voter ballot application and process. Amends secs. 759, 761 & 766 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759 et seq.); adds secs. 766a & 766b & repeals sec. 759c of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759c). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0339'23
Elections: absent voters; signature matching and curing for absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballot return envelopes; provide for, and provide for modifications to the absent voter ballot application and process. Amends secs. 759, 761 & 766 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759 et seq.); adds secs. 766a & 766b & repeals sec. 759c of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759c). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4594'23, HB 4756'23