Michigan Senate passes bills to strengthen voter ID laws
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Lansing— Citizens would be required to show a photo ID when registering to vote under a package of bills that passed the Senate on Tuesday over Democrats' objections.
The package also would require volunteers to complete training before working on voter registration drives and require voter applicants to affirm they are U.S. citizens.
"The aim is to respect the integrity of our elections, and maintain proper means of transparency, all of the things that are at the heart of the public's trust in the election process," said Sen. David Robertson, R-Grand Blanc, chairman of the Local Government and Elections Committee. "We don't ask much of (voters) — (only that) they register and be who they say they are."
Michigan is among 30 states considering voter ID legislation this year, according to the National Council of State Legislatures. Among those, 13 are considering new voter ID laws, and 10 — like Michigan — are considering strengthening existing voter ID laws.
Most of the bills in the Senate package were recommended last year by Republican Secretary of State Ruth Johnson as part of her Secure and Fair Elections initiative.
Democrats argue the requirements would make it harder for people to register.
Johnson spokeswoman Gisgie Gendreau noted voters already are required to show picture ID at the polls, but those without ID can instead sign an "affidavit of identity." No birth certificate or other proof is required. The Senate bills offer the same option, she said.
"Some folks have raised concern that some communities don't have photo ID and we are very cognizant of that," Gendreau said.
David Rohde, a professor of political science at Duke University, said such reforms benefit Republicans.
"Low-turnout elections benefit Republicans and high-turnout elections benefit Democrats," Rohde said. "(Democrats) tend to vote more sporadically."
Most of the bills passed 26-12 along party lines, with all of the Democrats voting in opposition.
Critics, including the Michigan League of Women voters, AARP Michigan and the American Civil Liberties Union, said the bills would discourage voter participation. Similar legislation adopted in Florida is under review by the Department of Justice to determine if it violates the Voter Rights Act, said Wayne State University constitutional law professor Jocelyn Benson.
"This is a sad day for democracy — it's something that's happening nationwide and has now come to Michigan with these bills," said Benson, who ran against Johnson as the Democratic candidate in the 2010 secretary of state race. Sen. Coleman Young II, D-Detroit, said the requirements will discourage people from organizing voter registration drives and reduce the number who register to vote.
"We are missing an extraordinary opportunity to make our voting system simpler and better," Young said following voting on the reforms. "This is a package of bills that thrusts government over the people."
The package also contains campaign finance reforms and bans on public employee payroll deductions for contributions to political action committees and campaign committees.
Most of the bills are headed to the House for consideration.
Link to original article Detroit News
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MI Legislators with ALEC Ties
House of Representatives
- Former Rep. Frank Accavitti, Jr. (D-42), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2008[102]
- Majority Caucus Chair Dave Agema (R-74), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2008[102]
- Former Rep. Fran Amos (R-43), registered for ALEC annual meeting in 2005 and paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2006 and 2007[102]
- Former Rep. Richard A. Bandstra (R-Grand Rapids, 1985-1994, Michigan 3rd Court of Appeals through January 2003), Former "Public Sector Chairman," Civil Justice Task Force[103]
- Former Rep. Bill Caul (R-99), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[102]
- Former House Speaker Craig DeRoche (R-38), paid ALEC membership dues in 2006 and sent three staffers to ALEC annual meeting in 2006 (for $1,200) with taxpayer funds[102]
- Former Rep. Leon Drolet (R-33), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[102]
- Former Rep. David Farhat (R-91), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[102]
- Former Rep. Edward Gaffney (R-1), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[102]
- Rep. Judson Gilbert (R-81), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 while a state senator[104]
- Rep. Gail Haines (R-43); Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force
- Rep. Ken Horn (R-94), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2011[102], Civil Justice Task Force member
- Former Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-90, now Michigan Congressman R-2), ALEC Alumni in Congress,[105] paid ALEC membership with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007 while a state representative[102]
- Former Rep. Jerry Kooiman (R-75), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[102]
- Rep. Eileen Kowall (R-44), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2011[102]
- Rep. Kenneth Kurtz (R-58), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force[106]
- Rep. Matthew Lori, (R-59), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force[106]
- Rep. Peter J. Lund (R-36); Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force
- Rep. Tom McMillin (R-45), sponsored 2011 HB 4050. Compare to ALEC's "Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act"[107]
- Former Rep. Kimberley Meltzer (R-33), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2009[102]
- Former Rep. Tim Moore (R-97), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2007[102]
- Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R-80); Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force
- Former Rep. Tom Pearce (R-73), registered for 2006 ALEC annual meeting and paid 2009 ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds[102]
- Rep. Amanda Price (R-89); Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force
- Former Rep. Rick Shaffer (R-59), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[102]
- Former Rep. Fulton Sheen (R-88), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005, 2006 and 2007[102]
- Rep. Mike Shirkey (R-65), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2011[102]
- Former Rep. John Stahl (R-82), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2008[102]
- Former Rep. John Stakoe (R-44), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[102]
- Former Rep. Glenn Steil, Jr. (R-72), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007[102]
- Former Rep. William Van Regenmorter (R-74), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[102]
Senate
- Sen. Jason Allen (R-37), former ALEC State Chairman[108], paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2006[104]
- Former Sen. Patricia Birkholz (R-24), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[104]
- Sen. Darwin Booher (R-35), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005, 2007 and 2009 while a state representative[102]
- Former Sen. Cameran Brown (R-16), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[104]
- Sen. Bruce Caswell (R-16), Health and Human Services Task Force[106]
- Former Sen. Valde Garcia (R-22), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[104]
- Sen. Mike Green (R-31), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2011[104]
- Sen. Goeff Hansen (R-34), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005, 2007 and 2009 (twice) while a state representative,[102] Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force member
- Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R-29), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005, 2007 and 2009 while a state representative,[102] and in 2011 while a state senator<ref="MichiganSenate"/>
- Sen. Rick Jones (R-24), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 while a state representative[102]
- Sen. Mike Kowall (R-15), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2009 while a state representative, and in 2011[102]
- Former Sen. Wayne Kuipers (R-30), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[104]
- Sen. Arlan B. Meekhoff (R-30), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2009 while a state representative[102]
- Sen. John Moolenar (R-36), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005 and 2007 while a state representative[102]
- Sen. Mike Nofs (R-19), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2008 while a state representative[102]
- Former Sen. Bruce Patterson (R-7), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2009[104]
- Sen. David B. Robertson (R-26), paid ALEC membership dues with taxpayer funds in 2005[102]
- Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R-20), State Chairman[109]; Civil Justice Task Force
Information from SourceWatch