LANSING, Mich. (WWJ) -- The Republican-led Michigan Senate on Wednesday again passed legislation that would make it harder to vote, with changes to photo ID requirements, absentee ballots and other rules that are expected to be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, if the legislation reaches her desk.
The legislation was revised moments before going to a vote, making it similar to the separate Secure MI Vote ballot initiative backed by the GOP, which could be enacted by Republicans without the governor vetoing it, should it gain enough signatures.
The legislation passed Wednesday would require those who want to vote absentee to include their driver’s license number, state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number.
Under current law, absentee voters are required to submit a form with a signature, which is then verified against signatures in the state’s qualified voter law.
The new legislation would also make it tougher to vote without a driver’s license or state ID. Currently, voters can sign an affidavit and still vote without an ID, while the new legislation would require them to get a provisional ballot and have to verify their identity within six days of the election for their vote to count.
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The Republican-backed legislation would also ban the secretary of state and local clerks from mailing absentee ballots unless a voter requests one.
Opponents of the stricter voting rules argue the Senate bill would make voting lines longer, especially in urban areas, and could potentially suppress voters. Many Republicans in Michigan and across the country have been calling for more stringent voting laws after claims President Joe Biden fraudulently won the 2020 election over former President Donald Trump. Numerous audits, court rulings and investigations have found no evidence the election was fraudulent.
Whitmer has vowed to veto any bills that come her way that would make it more difficult to vote. The legislation would still have to pass through the Republican-controlled House before it goes to the governor's office.