LANSING – The League of Women Voters of Michigan has released the following statements in response to the initiative petition by Secure MI Vote that would require voters to present identification when they cast a ballot in an election. Secure MI Vote also aims to prohibit sending absentee ballot applications to all voters.

 “For more than 100 years, the League of Women Voters of Michigan has worked to ensure voting is accessible to every eligible voter, and this initiative will only serve to make voting more difficult for many,” said Christina Schlitt, co-president of the Michigan League. “This initiative will lead to voter disenfranchisement across our state when we already know that our elections are fair and secure.”

 “The Secure MI Vote initiative will negatively affect voters, specifically people with disabilities, people with lower incomes and young people who all have more difficulty obtaining the type of ID that is required to vote,” said Paula Bowman, co-president of the Michigan League. “The proposed changes are unnecessary and make voting more difficult, which is the opposite of what Michigan voters have asked for.”

Secure MI Vote has received approval of a petition with the state’s Board of Canvassers to enact citizen-led legislation to take away Election Day voting options, make absentee voting less accessible and gut funding for election administration in Michigan. The League of Women Voters of Michigan opposes the Secure MI Vote measures and supports Michigan’s current voter validation system that has worked for decades.

The Secure MI Vote proposal includes an appropriation that, if approved by the Michigan Legislature, would prevent a vote of the people from overturning the law, further denying the people of Michigan a voice on the issue. More information on the League of Women Voters’ position on Secure MI Vote and advocacy is available at the League of Women Voters of Michigan website.

###

The League of Women Voters of Michigan is the state league for the U.S. League of Women Voters, which is a nonpartisan political organization that aims to encourage informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Learn more at lwvmi.org.