LANSING – In a move to increase voter participation, the Michigan House of Representatives today passed a plan proposed by State Representative Woodrow Stanley (D-Flint) to allow any Michigan resident to vote by absentee ballot.
"This is about getting more people involved in our democracy and taking an active interest in their government," Stanley said. "We need to be making it easier for people to vote, not putting up barriers. Today's vote will make it easier for Michigan residents to allow their voices to be heard."
Under the plan passed today, any Michigan resident will be allowed to vote by absentee ballot without giving a reason. In addition, voters will be able to request an absentee ballot in person, or by mail, fax or e-mail. Similar legislation passed the House in 2007, but was blocked by the Republican-controlled Senate.
Twenty-eight states have already adopted measures that make it easier to vote by absentee ballot. Four states – Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada and West Virginia – even pay the return postage for absentee ballots.
Currently, Michigan residents are only allowed to vote by absentee ballot if they expect to be absent from the community in which they are registered on Election Day, are physically unable to make it to the polls without assistance, cannot make it to the polls due to their religious beliefs, have been appointed election precinct inspector in a precinct other than their home precinct, are age 60 or older, or who are incarcerated awaiting trial or arraignment.
"In these difficult economic times, many residents have had to take on two jobs or work long hours in order to make ends meet, making it difficult to get to the polls on Election Day," Stanley said. "These much-needed reforms will allow for greater participation in the democratic process for voters across Michigan. I urge the Senate to quickly take up this legislation and ensure that the voting rights of all Michigan residents are upheld."