ELECTION PHOTO ID REQ.; MODIFY S.B. 373:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 373 (as introduced 6-6-23)
Sponsor: Senator Stephanie Chang
Committee: Elections and Ethics
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to allow a current photo identification card issued by a local government to be used for election purposes by including it in the definition of "identification for election purposes" and to define "educational institution".
"Identification for election purposes" means, if issued to the individual presenting the card or document and if presented for voting purposes, the name on the card or document sufficiently matches the individual's name in the individual’s voter registration record so as to accurately identify the individual as the registered elector, or, if issued to the individual presenting the card or document and if presented for voter registration purposes, any of the following:
-- An operator's or chauffeur's license issued or an enhanced driver license.
-- An official state personal identification card issued or an enhanced official state personal identification card.
-- A current operator's or chauffeur's license issued by another state.
-- A current state personal identification card issued by another state.
-- A current State government issued photo identification card.
-- A current United States passport or Federal government issued photo identification card.
-- A current military photo identification card.
-- A current tribal photo identification card.
-- A current student photo identification card issued by a high school in the State, an institution of higher education in the State, a junior college or community college, or another accredited degree or certificate granting college or university, junior college, or community college located in the State.
Under the bill, the term also would include a current photo identification card issued by a local government. Additionally, the bill would specify that a current military photo ID could be issued by either the State or Federal government and a current tribal photo identification card would have to be issued by a tribal government.
The bill would replace the list of accepted issuers of a current student photo identification card with an educational institution in the State. It would define "educational institution" as a public or private institution, or a separate school or department of a public or private institution, that is authorized by law or an accrediting body to grant or issue a diploma, degree, certificate, or license, or to grant approval to practice a profession or engage in an enterprise, and includes, but is not limited to, an academy, high school, college, university, community college, junior college, secondary school, extension course, or a business, nursing, professional, secretarial, technical, or vocational school.
BACKGROUND
In July 2022, Promote the Vote, a coalition of Michigan organizations active in elections, circulated a petition proposing several constitutional amendments concerning voting rights. Proposal 22-2 established the right of a registered voter to prove his or her identity when voting or applying for an absentee ballot in person by presenting his or her photo identification issued by a Federal, State, local, or tribal government or an educational institution (or, if the individual did not have a photo identification, the right to execute an affidavit verifying identity). Promote the Vote submitted the petition to the Michigan Bureau of Elections after gathering enough signatures for the ballot initiative that became Proposal 22-2. Proposal 22-2 passed with 59.99% of the vote during the 2022 November general election.[1]
Legislative Analyst: Abby Schneider
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact for State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco, Jr.
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
[1] "2022 Michigan Election results," Elections, Michigan Department of State. Retrieved on 4-11-23.
SAS\S2324\s373sa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.