From Will White
The House introduced two new election bills which are in committee. The first one would add more types of picture ID cards that would be accepted when going to the polls to vote. It still allows for signing an affidavit however, if you do not have a photo ID. Last election there were over 12,000 voters who did not have photo ID’s and signed the affidavit instead.
The second bill has to do with filling candidate vacancies if a candidate dies or is otherwise disqualified to run AFTER HAVING BEEN NOMINATED TO THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR OR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND BEFORE THE GENERAL NOVEMBER ELECTION.
As usual though, there are different rules for Major and Minor parties. If it is a minor party candidate, the executive committee(s) simply names another candidate. If it is a Major party candidate, no election is held for that office and a “special” election is held in the next year. No provision is made however for reprinting of ballots if this occurs after ballots have been printed.
Click on the links below to read the entire bills. If I have time, I will draft a letter to the committee regarding the double standard for major/minor parties.
Will Tyler White, LPM Legislative committee
The new ID’s that are proposed to be allowed are:
- (A) AN OFFICIAL STATE PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD ISSUED
- (B) A CURRENT OR EXPIRED OPERATOR’S OR CHAUFFEUR’S LICENSE
- (C) 1 A MILITARY IDENTIFICATION CARD.
- (D) A MICHIGAN BRIDGE CARD
- (E) A CURRENT UTILITY BILL.
- (F) A CURRENT PAYCHECK.
- (G) A CURRENT BANK STATEMENT.
- (H) A CURRENT DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD.
- (I) A CURRENT RETIREMENT CENTER IDENTIFICATION CARD.
- (J) A CURRENT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IDENTIFICATION CARD.
- (K) A CURRENT EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION CARD.
- (l) A CURRENT STUDENT OR SCHOOL IDENTIFICATION CARD.
- (M) A CURRENT GOVERNMENT-ISSUED LICENSE TO CARRY OR POSSESS A FIREARM.
- (N) A CURRENT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DEBIT CARD ISSUED BY A STATE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE.
Michigan Legislature Website
Daily Update For: William T White
Elections
Updated Bills or Resolutions:
- HB 4938 of 2013
Elections; voting procedures; list of eligible state identification cards to identify electors when voting; expand. Amends sec. 523 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.523).
Last Action: 9/4/2013 printed bill filed 09/04/2013 - HB 4947 of 2013
Elections; scheduling; election of state senator or state representative if a major political party candidate vacancy occurs before the general November election; revise. Amends secs. 169, 170 & 173 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.169 et seq.) & adds sec. 169a. TIE BAR WITH: HJR X’13
Last Action: 9/4/2013 referred to Committee on Elections and Ethics - HJR X of 2013
Elections; scheduling; election of state senator or state representative if a major political party candidate vacancy occurs before the general November election; revise. Amends sec. 5, art. II, secs. 2 & 3, art. IV & sec. 2, art. XI of the state constitution.
Last Action: 9/4/2013 referred to Committee on Elections and Ethics
