We know that efforts to alter voting laws are nothing more than a political attempt at manipulating the rules to maintain control and continue stacking the deck in favor of wealthy special interests and against ordinary Michiganders.

SB 639 will only make it more difficult for individuals to vote and administer elections; they will cause voter confusion and longer lines on Election Day.

Michigan is currently 1 of 5 states that have done nothing to improve our elections and access to the ballot, causing longer lines on Election Day and preventing eligible voters from participating in our democracy.

Urge Governor Snyder to listen to the public servants who administer elections and voters who would be negatively impacted by this bill, rather than wealthy special interests and political parties only interested in rigging the system in their favor.

Tell Gov. Snyder to VETO SB 639!

---

Specific elements of this bill:

• Prohibits a local unit of government from adopting an ordinance or resolution that grants authority to grant or conduct any election activity that is not permitted or expressly granted under this Act.
• Would eliminate the ability of a first-time voter who registered by mail to present photo ID at the clerk’s office or the Department of State Branch Office for the purpose of voting absentee, requiring all individuals who register by mail to vote in person their first time.
• Would prohibit a clerk from deputizing another clerk for the purpose of verifying the identification of a first time voter for the purpose of voting absentee.
• Permit individuals to be challengers up to 45 days before the election within the clerk’s office.
• Extending the 100 feet prohibition on displaying political material near a polling location to the clerk’s office 45 days prior to the election.
• Prohibits a clerk’s office from being open beyond the normal business hours (i.e. evenings and weekends) for the purpose of processing, accepting or issuing absentee ballots.
• Prohibits a clerk for operating a satellite office for the purpose of processing, accepting or issuing absentee ballots.
• Requires each county clerk to separate and report by precinct the absentee ballot election results.