Michigan Republicans to push constitutional amendment requiring ID to vote

• In 2022, Michigan passed a constitutional amendment that made it easier to vote 
• Now, some Republicans want voters to take up the issue again at the ballot and require proof of citizenship to register
• Proponents say that helps security; foes say it’s voter suppression

LANSING — Michigan Republicans intend to push a state constitutional amendment early next year that would require residents to provide proof of citizenship and identity in order to register to vote and cast a ballot.

The party takes control of the state House in January, and its incoming House Majority Floor Leader, Rep. Bryan Posthumus, R-Cannon Township, told Bridge Michigan he intends to introduce a joint resolution for the amendment in January. 

“I strongly believe in making our elections accessible, but I also strongly believe in making our elections secure,” Posthumus said.

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Organizers plan to unveil the effort Wednesday, which likely will require a signature collection drive to force a ballot measure. A political action committee created in 2017, the Committee To Protect Voters Rights, is funding a website promoting the proposal, but Posthumus said he is not currently working with any other organizations on the effort.

Any change would be an about-face from changes to Michigan voting laws over the last six years. 

Statewide ballot measures and legislation passed by Democrats along party lines have been uniformly aimed at expanding voting access.

In 2022, 60% of state voters passed a constitutional amendment that, in part, allows Michiganders to register to vote with student IDs or verify their identity at the polls with a signed statement.

This constitutional amendment would ask voters to reverse that prior decision. The measure would require either the Secretary of State to verify the citizenship of new voters or have them provide documentation they’re a citizen, in the form of a birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers or similar documentation to register.

The amendment would have Michigan join just nine other states with strict photo ID requirements for voting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. 

Currently, Michigan requires all prospective voters to sign a statement swearing they’re eligible to vote — which means having citizenship — and providing proof of residence. Lying on the form is perjury, the voter registration form warns. 

Opponents of ID requirements say they are a form of voter suppression that disproportionately targets the poor. Research has found that minority voters are less likely to have photo IDs.

A Michigan State University study found that requiring photo identification dropped liberal participation among eligible voters by nearly 13 percentage points in the general election, but only 3 percent among conservatives.

Clerks have said that most who vote without IDs usually just forget theirs, and voter fraud is exceedingly rare. In 2020, only 11,000 of 5.5 million Michigan voters signed affidavits confirming their identity, Bridge has reported.

Proponents of the ID requirement say more security is required, pointing to charges in October against a Chinese student at the University of Michigan who authorities say cast an illegal ballot.

Authorities allege the student signed the affidavit to register and cast a ballot on the same day, a voting method approved by voters in 2018. 

Citing that vote, a website promoting the amendment asserts “Michigan's constitution includes voting loopholes that put the integrity of our elections at risk.”

Posthumus argues requiring proof of citizenship wouldn’t be much of a barrier.

“There's definitely a balancing act between ensuring only Americans vote in American elections and what and the simplicity that comes with the ability to register and the ability to vote,” Posthumus said. “To say that this makes it complicated to do that — frankly, it's an insult to citizens.”

There is no evidence of noncitizens voting beyond isolated incidents, nevertheless, “not one American citizen should have their vote not canceled out by a noncitizen,” Posthumus said.

Under the proposed amendment, Election Day voters without approved government ID would still be allowed to cast a ballot but it would be provisional, and the voter would have six days to bring ID to officials to make their ballot official.