LANSING – House Democrats today passed a package of bills that will make it easier to vote in Michigan, ensuring that senior citizens, people with disabilities, college students and all residents have the opportunity to make their voices heard at the polls.
"The right to vote is the bedrock of a democratic society," Byrnes said. "As representatives of the people of Michigan, it is our job as lawmakers to do everything we can to encourage voter participation. This legislation will help ensure that all of our residents' voices are heard."
The House Democrats' package will:
· Allow anyone to obtain an absentee voter ballot without giving a reason. Under current law, a person must meet one of six qualifications to obtain an absentee voter ballot (HB 4048).
· Allow city, township and village clerks to send absentee voter application forms to any citizen 60 or older, even if the application is not requested. The bill would not require the clerk to send the application (HB 4553).
· Permit voters to have a different address on their driver's licenses than the one on their voter registration cards (HB 4447 and HB 4448).
The House passed HB 4553, HB 4447 and HB 4448 today. Democrats plan to pass HB 4048 soon.
Currently, the only people allowed to vote by absentee ballot are those who expect to be absent from the community in which they are registered on Election Day, those who are physically unable to make it to the polls without assistance, those who cannot make it to the polls due to their religious
beliefs, those who have been appointed election precinct inspector in a precinct other than their home precinct, those who are age 60 or older, or those who are incarcerated awaiting trial or arraignment.
Twenty-six states have already adopted measures that make it easier to vote by absentee ballot. Four states – Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada and West Virginia – even pay the return postage for absentee ballots.