Michigan House Advances Voter ID Bills: Here's What To Know

LANSING, MI — The Michigan House on Wednesday passed a series of bills that would set stricter guidelines when voting, including the need for ID when voting.

The bills are part of a set of 39 bills introduced by Republican senators in Michigan and are likely to be vetoed upon reaching the desk of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes criticized the bills, saying they make it harder for people to vote.

"The Republican members of the Michigan House of Representatives should be ashamed of their votes tonight," Barnes said Wednesday. "I am disgusted by the elected officials that purposefully created more barriers to voting just because they didn't like the outcome of the 2020 elections. Tonight the Republican-led legislature set us back decades - decades of fighting for the right to vote."

Related: Michigan Senate Passes Bills Expanding Voter ID Requirements

SB 303 and SB 304 Advance Along Party Lines

SB 304 proposes that voters who forget identification when at a voting location fill out a different ballot that would only be counted once the voter has provided proof of identification within six days of the election.

Previously, if a voter forgot to bring an identification to their voting location, they could sign an affidavit affirming their identity and vote normally. That provision is nixed by SB 303.

Both bills were approved down party lines.

Bills Add 'Significant Administrative Burdens', Liberal Groups Say

The Michigan League of Conservation Voters said the bills add significant administrative burdens on Election Day.

“The current system has worked for years, and voters in nearly every county across our state used the affidavit option to vote on Election Day without issues,” said Clare Allenson, the Democracy For All Director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “We already have a voter ID law, and This legislation is a false solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. The net result will be more delays and confusion for election workers that will disproportionately impact older and disabled voters whose signatures are most likely to change over time.”

Michigan already has a voter ID law, the group went on to say. In a statement, the group said the changes to the bills would create additional Election Day administrative challenges for poll workers by requiring poll workers to match the signature of an affidavit with the signature on file in the Qualified Voter File, which will require more time to process, slowing down Election Day for all voters.

Former Secretary of State Supports Proposes Voter Laws

Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-Holly), the former Secretary of State of Michigan, said she supports the voter ID laws while noting that other legislation was approved to allow state identification cards to be issued for free.

“During the committee process, we removed the requirement for absentee voters to make a photocopy of their license or ID, making it much easier for voters," Johnson said in a statement. "Someone applying for an absentee ballot can simply write down their driver’s license or state ID number or the last four digits of their social security number on their absentee ballot application to verify their identity — just like voters in others states, such as Ohio."

“The vast majority of Michigan residents already have a driver’s license or state ID and the state already provides free state IDs to seniors, veterans, the homeless, legally blind residents, and anyone receiving state aid," her statement continued. "We are committed to ensuring access to an ID for anyone who needs one, not only to vote but for many other everyday activities such as opening a back account or traveling by airplane.