LANSING – In a move to increase voter participation four Macomb County lawmakers today voted to pass a House plan allowing any Michigan resident to vote by absentee ballot.
"No one should be denied the right to vote simply because they can't make it to the polls," said State Representative Jennifer Haase (D-Richmond), Vice Chair of the House Ethics and Elections Committee. "Throughout our history, people have made tremendous sacrifices so we could have the right to vote. We should do everything in our power to move Michigan's election system into the 21st century and make voting more accessible to our hard-working residents."
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.
"In this economy, many people are working extra hours or two jobs to make ends meet, making it impossible to get to the polls on time," said State Representative Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores). "Currently, more than half of the country allows no reason absentee voting and it's time Michigan joins that pack. Making it easier to vote absentee will help more residents make their voices heard."
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.
"Allowing unrestricted absentee voting makes sense," said State Representative Jon Switalski (D-Warren). "Many of the long lines that we saw at the polls in November could have been alleviated if it was easier to vote by absentee ballot."
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.
"Voting is an important part of being a citizen, but many people also have work, family and other commitments that are just as important," said State Representative Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens). "We are living in a time-crunched world and we should be working to make the process of voting more accessible to our residents."