Topline
Michigan Governor Michigan Governor
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer runs for Joe Biden at IBEW Local58, October 25, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. AFP via Getty Images
The Key Facts
Whitmer vetoed bills that the GOP-controlled legislature had passed in October. These bills would have strengthened voter ID requirements, such as requiring identification for absentee votes. Other measures include prohibiting unsolicited mail-in applications and restricting funding for elections. In a letter, Whitmer explained her veto by stating that the bills would disproportionately hurt communities of color. This is based on an ACLU report which found that low-income and Black voters in Michigan were more likely to not have IDs in 2016. Republicans anticipated Whitmers' veto and had already launched Secure MI Vote to pass voter ID restrictions via a rarely used provision in state law. To get it into the legislature, it must have at least 8% of votes cast in favor of the governor in the previous election340,047. At that point, lawmakers can pass it with a simple majority, and the governor cannot veto. After Republicans criticised Mark Zuckerberg's 2020 election grants, the Republicans proposed ballot initiative included many provisions from the bills Whitmer rejected. These include removing an option for voters who don't have ID and requiring ID to vote absentee. These initiatives can also be approved by the voters as ballot measures if the legislature fails to act or the voters request a referendum. However, the Detroit Free Press points out that this doesn't apply to spending provisions like the one in question.
Important Quote
Whitmer stated in her veto that voting restrictions that have such an adverse impact on racial relations must be stopped in this state.
What to Watch
After the September Board of State Canvassers approval, Republicans are now working to gather the signatures necessary to bring the voting restrictions back before Congress and evade Whitmers' veto.
Important Background
Michigan was a crucial battleground state during the 2020 election. President Joe Biden won Michigan with just 50.62%. These restrictive voting bills are part a larger effort by GOP state legislators to pass such legislation in support of electoral integrity. This is after former President Donald Trump's baseless allegations of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, 19 states had passed 33 voting restrictions laws in this year's election. In June, the Michigan Republican-led Senate Oversight Committee found no evidence of widespread fraud in the election. Pro-Trump lawyers who claimed fraud in a lawsuit after the election were also sanctioned for making false allegations.
Tangent
Republican legislators in Pennsylvania are moving forward with plans for voter restrictions such as voter ID provisions via ballot measures. This is to circumvent Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and his veto.
Continue reading
Whitmer vetoes elections bills that aim to overhaul voter ID rules (Detroit Free Press).
State board approves petition to change voter ID laws to collect signatures (Detroit Free Press).
Michigan GOP approves election reforms. Governor Gretchen Whitmers' veto is next. (Bridge MI).
What is Secure MI Vote? Security or suppression? (Bridge MI).
