Benson: Michigan voting bills more restrictive than Georgia
3 years, 8 months ago

Benson: Michigan voting bills more restrictive than Georgia

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s top election official on Thursday blasted Republican-backed voting bills that are pending in the Legislature, calling them an “un-American” affront to voters and saying some would be more restrictive than a controversial new law in Georgia. “There’s no evidence or data or even precedent to suggest that that somehow would prevent voter fraud.” Benson noted Michigan voters currently must sign an application. “It is un-American and an affront to every voter in the state,” Benson said, calling the legislation “poisonous.” Winfrey said the proposed ban on prepaid postage, a practice she started some 15 years ago in majority-Black Detroit, would discriminate against poor people. Benson, who oversaw a 2020 election in which a record number of people voted, accused GOP lawmakers of “doubling down on the big lie” — former President Donald Trump’s unfounded claims that he lost reelection only because of mass voter fraud.

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History of this topic

Republicans demand purge of Michigan's voter rolls before general election
9 months, 1 week ago

Republicans demand purge of Michigan's voter rolls before general election

Raw Story  

The Republican National Committee is trying to get the Michigan voter rolls purged before November's general election, the non-partisan voting rights legal organization Democracy Docket revealed. Posting a court filing on social media, the group explained that the RNC sued Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, claiming that Michigan was in violation of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 because …

Georgia Republicans seek to stop automatic voter registration in state
10 months ago

Georgia Republicans seek to stop automatic voter registration in state

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia’s automatic voter registration has put almost all eligible citizens on the rolls, but now some Republicans want to turn that system off. The Senate Ethics Committee on Thursday voted to advance Senate Bill 221, which would require people to opt in to voter registration when they receive or renew a driver’s license. “The intent is certainly not …

Eyeing 2024, Michigan Democrats expand voter registration and election safeguards in the swing state
1 year ago

Eyeing 2024, Michigan Democrats expand voter registration and election safeguards in the swing state

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Democrats are building on an effort to overhaul election laws in the state by allowing 16-year-olds to register before they can legally vote at 18 and adding more protections for election officials ahead of a 2024 presidential election that the swing state could play a critical role in. “This groundbreaking step will cement Michigan as a …

Michigan governor signs legislation expanding voting rights
1 year, 5 months ago

Michigan governor signs legislation expanding voting rights

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed a bipartisan package of bills into law to expand voter rights by allowing early voting and early tabulation of absentee ballots across Michigan. The measure requires state-funded absentee ballot drop boxes, as well as postage for absentee ballots and applications, and allows voters to join a permanent list to receive absentee …

Michigan board approves ballot measure on voting access
2 years, 3 months ago

Michigan board approves ballot measure on voting access

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan election board on Friday voted to put a question on the November ballot about whether the state should expand opportunities to vote, including through absentee and early voting, after the state Supreme Court ordered it to do so. The measure would require state-funded absentee ballot drop boxes, as well as postage for absentee ballots and …

Michigan measure to expand voting access blocked from ballot
2 years, 3 months ago

Michigan measure to expand voting access blocked from ballot

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan elections board decided Wednesday that a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand voting access didn’t qualify for the November ballot, leading the measure’s supporters to vow to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court. The proposed amendment to the state constitution would, among other changes, require nine days of in-person early voting and require …

Initiatives battle for voter rights in Michigan
2 years, 5 months ago

Initiatives battle for voter rights in Michigan

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — An effort to lock certain voting rights in the Michigan Constitution has taken a major step toward the fall ballot, eclipsing a rival campaign led by Republicans to limit absentee voting and add other restrictions. The ballot question would expand voter rights by allowing nine days of in-person early voting, state-funded absentee ballot postage and drop boxes …

Whitmer vetoes bill to add warning against voting twice
2 years, 7 months ago

Whitmer vetoes bill to add warning against voting twice

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed legislation that would have required voter registration applications to include a statement that the applicant understands it is a felony to try to vote more than once in the same election. Her office announced the veto late Friday, after business hours, saying the bill was part of a larger package of election measures …

Michigan Republicans delay absentee ballot signature rules
2 years, 9 months ago

Michigan Republicans delay absentee ballot signature rules

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — Republican lawmakers on Tuesday delayed until after the November election rules that will tell Michigan election clerks how to match the signatures of people applying for and submitting absentee ballots. “We will continue to find ways to work across the aisle to do what’s best for every voter, in the hopes they change course and work with …

House OKs banning online absentee applications, SOS mailings
2 years, 9 months ago

House OKs banning online absentee applications, SOS mailings

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — The Republican-controlled Michigan House voted Thursday to prohibit digital signatures on absentee ballot applications and to ban unsolicited mailings of applications to voters, advancing more election bills that are unlikely to be signed by the Democratic governor. Republicans said they would increase voters’ confidence in elections and make voting more secure after the 2018 approval of a …

Benson rejects GOP changes to signature-verification rules
2 years, 9 months ago

Benson rejects GOP changes to signature-verification rules

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Friday rejected many Republican-requested changes to rules that will guide election clerks on how to match the signatures of people applying for and submitting absentee ballots. Benson, a Democrat, accepted one recommended revision but denied eight, saying the pending regulations are “based on facts, data and longstanding nonpartisan standard election administration …

Absentee request deadline trips voters under new Georgia law
3 years ago

Absentee request deadline trips voters under new Georgia law

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — More than half of absentee ballot applications rejected in Georgia in advance of the Nov. 2 elections were turned down because they came in after a deadline created in Georgia’s new voting law. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports 52% of applications were rejected because voters asked for an absentee ballot within the last 11 days before the election, too …

GOP chair funds Michigan ballot drive to toughen voting law
3 years, 1 month ago

GOP chair funds Michigan ballot drive to toughen voting law

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — The primary funder of a ballot drive to toughen Michigan’s voter identification law and restrict mass mailings of unsolicited absentee ballot applications is Ron Weiser, chairman of the state Republican Party. The group needs about 340,000 valid voter signatures for the initiative, which the GOP-controlled Legislature would likely pass into law rather than let it go to …

Michigan governor vetoes stricter voter ID, election bills
3 years, 1 month ago

Michigan governor vetoes stricter voter ID, election bills

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — As promised, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday vetoed Republican- The governor said the bills would disproportionately hurt minority voters who are more likely to not have a photo ID on Election Day than white voters. Republicans said the bills, which follow a wave of new laws in GOP-controlled states that tighten election rules, would secure voting …

Michigan Republicans OK tougher voting rules; gov to veto
3 years, 2 months ago

Michigan Republicans OK tougher voting rules; gov to veto

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — The Republican-led Michigan Legislature on Thursday approved tougher voter ID requirements and a ban against mass mailing of unsolicited absentee ballot applications, finalizing bills that will be vetoed by Democratic Gov. The legislation headed to Whitmer would require voters who request an absentee ballot to write their driver’s license number, state ID number or the last four …

‘Cannot wait for Washington:’ Voting rights activists scramble to navigate new restrictions ahead of November elections
3 years, 2 months ago

‘Cannot wait for Washington:’ Voting rights activists scramble to navigate new restrictions ahead of November elections

CNN  

CNN — When activist Tammye Pettyjohn Jones knocks on voters’ doors in her rural corner of Georgia this month, she’ll have a new tool in hand: a portable printer. A sweeping voting law Georgia enacted this year now requires voters who do not have a driver’s license or state ID to provide a copy of another form of identification with …

GOP group clears step to pursue Michigan voting restrictions
3 years, 3 months ago

GOP group clears step to pursue Michigan voting restrictions

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — Republican organizers of veto-proof legislation that would make it harder to vote cleared a procedural step Thursday when the Michigan elections board approved a 100-word summary that will appear on top of the ballot petition. Once the Board of State Canvassers also clears the petition’s form, likely Monday, Secure MI Vote will soon after begin collecting signatures, …

Michigan Republicans pass bills to add voter ID requirements
3 years, 6 months ago

Michigan Republicans pass bills to add voter ID requirements

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — Republicans who control the Michigan Senate passed contentious legislation Wednesday that would mandate a photo ID to vote in person and add identity requirements for people who want to vote by mail. Republicans said the bills would ensure election integrity and security, contending the system became more vulnerable following a 2018 voter-approved constitutional amendment that expanded absentee …

After Georgia: Here Are 4 States To Watch Next On Voting Legislation
3 years, 8 months ago

After Georgia: Here Are 4 States To Watch Next On Voting Legislation

NPR  

After Georgia: Here Are 4 States To Watch Next On Voting Legislation Enlarge this image toggle caption Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images While the debate and recriminations over Georgia's controversial new election law continue, some attention turns elsewhere, to other states where lawmakers are similarly weighing contested voting legislation. States with Republican leadership — like …

Michigan GOP plans to sidestep gov to enact election changes
3 years, 8 months ago

Michigan GOP plans to sidestep gov to enact election changes

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — The GOP-controlled Legislature is planning a maneuver that would enable it to pass contentious election changes into law and effectively nullify a likely veto from the state’s Democratic governor, a top Michigan Republican said. Weiser said the “election integrity” bills — which would, among other things, require photo ID, restrict absentee ballot drop box hours and ban …

Georgia Governor Signs Election Overhaul, Including Changes To Absentee Voting
3 years, 9 months ago

Georgia Governor Signs Election Overhaul, Including Changes To Absentee Voting

NPR  

Georgia Governor Signs Election Overhaul, Including Changes To Absentee Voting Enlarge this image toggle caption Tami Chappell/AFP via Getty Images Tami Chappell/AFP via Getty Images Georgia Gov. The 96-page bill makes dramatic alterations to Georgia's absentee voting rules, adding new identification requirements, moving back the request deadline and other changes after a record 1.3 million absentee ballots overwhelmed local elections …

Georgia Republicans enact sweeping bill to restrict voting
3 years, 9 months ago

Georgia Republicans enact sweeping bill to restrict voting

Al Jazeera  

Bill targets surge in absentee voting by Democrats in the state Joe Biden won in the 2020 presidential election. A bill passed and signed by the governor of Georgia Thursday will revise the US state’s election laws to restrict future absentee voting and give the Republican legislature greater control over the administration of elections. President Joe Biden, at a news …

Georgia Elections Official Responds To Bills That Would Make Voting Harder
3 years, 9 months ago

Georgia Elections Official Responds To Bills That Would Make Voting Harder

NPR  

Georgia Elections Official Responds To Bills That Would Make Voting Harder Enlarge this image toggle caption Jessica McGowan/Getty Images Jessica McGowan/Getty Images Georgia elections official Gabriel Sterling gained national attention a few months ago by pushing back against President Donald Trump's false claims of voter fraud. Sterling talked with NPR's Scott Detrow on Morning Edition about the proposals under consideration …

Judge: Michigan must count ballots that arrive post-election
4 years, 3 months ago

Judge: Michigan must count ballots that arrive post-election

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — A judge on Friday cleared the way for more absentee ballots to be counted in Michigan, saying envelopes postmarked by the eve of the Nov. 3 election are eligible, even if they show up days later. But Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens said there’s a crucial need for flexibility in November, especially after more than 6,400 …

Appeals court: Mass mailing of absent ballot applications OK
4 years, 3 months ago

Appeals court: Mass mailing of absent ballot applications OK

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s mass mailing of unsolicited absentee ballot applications to millions of 2020 voters was deemed legal by Michigan’s appeals court, which ruled Wednesday she had “inherent” authority to act under a 2018 constitutional amendment expanding voting rights. Benson, a Democrat, began sending the applications in May to all voters in the battleground state …

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