LANSING, October 7, 2021 ~ Wednesday, the Michigan Senate passed Legislation that would require absentee voters to provide their driver’s license number, state ID number, or last four digits of their social security number.
The bill would also prevent absentee ballots from being sent out to everyone automatically, requiring individuals to request absentee ballots in order to receive them.
“Over 800,000 people that weren’t qualified to vote, they were sent invitations to vote by the secretary of state,” said Senator Ruth Johnson to 760 WJR’s Kevin Dietz. “We have to make sure that we fix these — I call them ‘plugging the holes — before they become giant holes. And that’s what we are trying to do.”
“We want to make sure that everyone that is qualified gets registered, and has a great opportunity to have their voices heard.”
October 7, 2021 ~ Senator Ruth Johnson (R-Holly) talks with Kevin Dietz about the election bills that were passed in the Michigan Senate.
Democratic Legislators were outraged, calling the bill voter suppression, with some taking to Twitter to voice their concerns.
“Michigan’s 2020 elections were the most secure, accessible and successful in our history,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Twitter. “Now GOP lawmakers in our state are trying to pass laws to make it harder to vote and undo the very policies that enabled more people to vote than ever before. Ready to fight back? I am.”
Michigan’s 2020 elections were the most secure, accessible and successful in our history. Now GOP lawmakers in our state are trying to pass laws to make it harder to vote and undo the very policies that enabled more people to vote than ever before.
— Jocelyn Benson (@JocelynBenson) March 24, 2021
Ready to fight back? I am. pic.twitter.com/HbbWMzO8QA
The bill passed on a party-line vote, where every Republican in the Senate supported the vote.
Now, the bill is headed to the House for voting. However, even if it gets approved, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has vowed to reject any legislation that she believes would make it harder for people to vote.
“Disappointing to see that she is playing politics rather than doing the right thing right now,” said Johnson.
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