Election Reform Ballot Proposal Sparks Opposition in Michigan
Three former Michigan secretaries of state issued a joint statement this week urging a “No” vote on a citizen-initiated ballot proposal that would legalize private funding of elections, require absentee ballot drop boxes in every community, and do away with mandatory photo identification for in-person voters.
Proposal 2 would allow a would-be voter to present a signed affidavit attesting to his or her identity instead of a state-issued photo ID.
For 24 years prior to the 2018 election of Democrat Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the office was held by Republicans.
On Oct. 24, Benson’s three GOP predecessors announced their opposition to Proposal 2.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson addresses the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention on Aug. 20, 2020. (DNCC via Getty Images)
“This is a dangerous proposal [that] would prohibit us from ever requiring photo ID to vote, said former Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, who now serves as chairperson of the elections committee in the State Senate….