Committee backs resolution opposing proposed Michigan voter‑ID constitutional amendment

Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles introduced a resolution for the board that would oppose a proposed Michigan constitutional amendment backed by the Americans for Citizen Voting organization. Supporters — including Ben Garner of All Voting Is Local — argued the proposal would add burdensome document requirements that could disenfranchise eligible voters and impose unfunded costs and potential criminal penalties on election officials.

Ben Garner said the petition would be a “non‑solution to a non‑problem” and that experience in other states shows such measures can disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters. "We know that in Kansas, in just two years, it's disenfranchised 30,000 eligible American citizens," he said, urging a no vote on the initiative.

Several commissioners raised procedural and policy questions, including whether the petition had been certified for the ballot. Garner said petitioners had submitted a substantially large number of signatures (he cited about 750,000 versus an approximate threshold of 445,000), but he cautioned the committee not to assume final certification until state officials complete signature verification.

After discussion, the committee voted to recommend the resolution to the full board; the clerk reported a final tally of 5 yays and 2 nays.

Why it matters: The proposed amendment — if certified and passed statewide — could change the requirements for voter registration and affect local election operations and voters who lack birth certificates or passports.

What’s next: If the resolution is approved by the full board, supporters indicated they would mount a public education campaign urging voters to reject the petition if it reaches the ballot.