Elections: registration; proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote and identification when voting; require. Amends secs. 493a, 493b, 495, 509gg & 509ii of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.493a et seq.) & adds sec. 496c.
Impact
If enacted, this legislation will significantly simplify the voter registration process in Michigan by allowing automatic registration whenever individuals provide proof of citizenship while applying for state identification. This change could lead to a notable increase in registered voters, particularly among populations who may have previously found the registration process burdensome. The bill also addresses updates to voter information, ensuring that registrants are promptly notified of any changes to their registration status.
Summary
House Bill 4765 aims to amend Michigan's election laws, specifically focusing on enhancing automatic voter registration processes and ensuring that documentation demonstrating U.S. citizenship is provided when registering to vote. The bill mandates that the Secretary of State shall automatically register individuals who apply for a driver's license or state identification and meet certain eligibility criteria. This move is intended to increase voter participation and streamline the registration process by integrating it with other government services.
Contention
The bill has not been without controversy. Critics argue that the automatic voter registration without robust safeguards could lead to challenges regarding electoral integrity. While supporters believe that it will help to eliminate barriers to voting, some legislators express concerns about the adequacy of the citizenship verification process. Additionally, the potential for increased administrative burdens on the Secretary of State's office and the local election clerks in processing these registrations could be a point of debate.
Notable_points
Furthermore, the bill involves collaboration with other government agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Corrections, to facilitate the exchange of information necessary for registration. These provisions are put in place to ensure that eligible voters who have been incarcerated have the opportunity to register upon their release. Ultimately, how this bill balances enhanced voter access against concerns about maintaining stringent controls over voter eligibility will remain a significant part of the legislative discussion.
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: registration; preregistration to vote at age 16; provide for. Amends secs. 495, 509o, 509q, 509r, 509gg & 516 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.495 et seq.) & adds sec. 496a. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4983'23
Elections: qualified voter file; most recent digitized photographic image of an elector to be contained in the qualified vote file; require, and require election officials to compare the digitized photographic image of an elector to that elector before voting. Amends secs. 509q, 509gg, 509hh, 523, 813 & 829 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.509q 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.).
State: identification cards; citizenship or legal presence requirement for obtaining a state identification card; remove. Amends secs. 1, 1a & 2 of 1972 PA 222 (MCL 28.291 et seq.).
State: identification cards; citizenship or legal presence requirement for obtaining a state identification card; remove. Amends secs. 1, 1a & 2 of 1972 PA 222 (MCL 28.291 et seq.).
Elections: registration; registering to vote and voting by individuals who are not United States citizens; prohibit. Amends 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.1 - 168.992) by adding sec. 492c.
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: registration; preregistration to vote at age 16; provide for. Amends secs. 495, 509o, 509q, 509r, 509gg & 516 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.495 et seq.) & adds sec. 496a. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4983'23
Traffic control: driver license; real ID-compliant operator's and chauffeur's licenses; prohibit the secretary of state from issuing. Amends sec. 307 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.307).
Traffic control: driver license; option to decline voter registration on a driver license application; clarify. Amends sec. 307 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.307). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4983'23