False claims are being made about Proposal 2’s language regarding Voter ID

It is important to note that the ID clause in the amendment is all in current practice by the State of Michigan! Putting it in the state constitution prevents it from being taken away. I have included the actual language of the amendment below. Article 2, Sec 4(g) in the amendment ensures that a variety of photo ID’s meet the criteria. It also ensures that a person does not lose their chance to vote if their wallet is stolen a few days before an election. Notice it says “once registered” when referring to what ID is needed at the polls. Here is the voter registration form to show the state and federal requirements for ID to register. Here are the Michigan Voter ID requirements currently in effect . The affidavit has also been in place for several years. Here is the affidavit, in case you are curious. It is NOT the little paper we sign at the polls. The little paper is an application to vote that day. The affidavit is on the back of that application, and is used to ensure that the voter is telling the truth. Keep in mind that the election worker has the voter’s name, address, and signature available at the polls and has already checked them against the application and checked to be sure the voter has not already voted. The affidavit is a legal document that includes a perjury statement complete with fines and jail time.

Article 2, Sec 4(h) in the amendment begins with the right to no reason absentee voting, and the availability of clerks to issue absentee ballots, both of which were supported by 66.91% of Michigan voters in 2018. Proposal 2 then spells out the ID proof needed to apply and vote absentee, in which the voter’s signature, which was provided when registering, is accepted by election officials once the signature is compared to the registration record. This signature matching is currently in practice. It then adds that if the signatures do not match, or if the signature is missing, the voter has the right to be notified so it can be fixed. The right to fix a signature issue is what is added. Imagine thinking you voted but it turns out you forgot to sign the envelope and your vote didn’t count. This would fix that!

An appropriate question is why lie about the contents of Proposal 2? It is ensuring that all US citizens who are eligible to vote in Michigan have the opportunity. The only reasonable explanation that I can come up with is certain people in power know that they are not representing the majority of Michigan citizens and want to hold power by creating impediments to voting for people who disagree with them.

Proposal 2 language for part (g):

“The right, once registered, to prove their identity when voting in person or applying for an absent voter ballot in person by (1) presenting their photo identification, including photo identification issued by a federal, state, local, or tribal government or an educational institution, or (2) if they do not have photo identification or do not have it with them, executing an affidavit, which need not be notarized, verifying their identity. A voter shall not be required to vote a provisional ballot solely because they executed an affidavit to prove their identity. “

Proposal 2 language for part (h):

“VOTERS shall have the right to prove their identity when applying for or voting an absent voter ballot other than in person by providing their signature to the election official authorized to issue absent voter ballots. Those election officials shall: (1) Verify the identity of a voter who applies for an absent voter ballot other than in person by comparing the voter’s signature on the absent voter ballot application to the voter’s signature in their registration record; and (2) Verify the identity of a voter who votes an absent voter ballot other than in person by comparing the signature on the absent voter ballot envelope to the signature on the voter’s absent voter ballot application or the signature in the voter’s registration record. If those election officials determine from either of the comparisons in (1) or (2) of this part (h) of subsection (4)(1) that the signatures do not sufficiently agree, or if the voter’s signature on the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot envelope is missing, the voter has a right to be notified immediately and afforded due process, including an equitable opportunity to correct the issue with the signature.”