by Emily Bevard
A new video series has launched in Michigan with the aim to highlight the absurdity of the current Michigan Voter ID law. Restoration Action, a group helping to advance a ballot initiative in Michigan that would require a photo ID to cast a vote, is sponsoring the video series. The second video was released today.
The videos highlight activities in Michigan that require a photo ID, then contrast that to the act of voting, which currently can be done with a signed affidavit and no government-issued photo ID.
“In Michigan, a photo I.D. is required to buy cough medicine, but not to cast a vote? Let’s keep our elections pure, Michigan,” the video states.
According to the Michigan Secretary of State website, voters are not currently required to present a photo ID to register to vote or during the voting process. A utility bill or bank statement is an acceptable alternative to a photo ID.
A recent poll conducted by Remington Research Group found an overwhelming majority of Michigan voters want to increase election security through measures like requiring an ID to vote. The survey, commissioned by Americans for Citizen Voting, found that more than 75% of participants support requiring voters to show a government-issued photo ID to vote.
Support among Black Michigan residents was even higher, with 79% supporting the aforementioned measure.
In late 2021, the Michigan State Legislature passed measures that would have improved the integrity of the state’s elections. The measures would have increased identification requirements for both in-person and absentee voting. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ultimately vetoed the legislation.
“To be clear, there is no evidence that the use of affidavit ballots is related to voter fraud,” Whitmer’s letter said as she announced her veto. “In fact, the Michigan Senate Oversight Committee recently concluded that the 2020 election produced no significant evidence of fraud.”
According to a report by the Detroit Free Press, Whitmer signed a measure into law in 2019 that enacted an ID requirement to buy cough medicine containing dextromethorphan without a prescription. Unless the customer appears over 25 years old, they must present a photo ID to verify they are at least 18 years of age, with civil penalties in place for violating the law.
One group is seeking to act on the apparent support for new election laws: Secure MI Vote. The organization is organizing a political campaign aimed at changing Michigan’s voting laws to make them more “secure.”
The group is promoting new legislation that would require photo identification at the polls, an ID or social security number for absentee ballots, as well as creating standard guidelines for absentee ballot collection and drop-off boxes, prohibiting the unsolicited distribution of absentee ballot applications and banning private donations to fund election security infrastructure.
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