LANSING – In a move to increase voter participation and ensure that more residents have the opportunity to hold their lawmakers accountable, State Representative Marc Corriveau (D-Northville) today supported a plan to allow any Michigan resident to vote by absentee ballot.
"Voting is our most basic right in this country, and it is important to remove any and all obstacles for our residents so their voices can be heard," said Corriveau, Chair of the Ethics and Elections Committee. "Many residents have long commutes, work long days or have to juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet. Allowing all Michigan residents to vote absentee will help make sure that everyone is able to participate in strengthening our democracy."
The plan passed by the House today will allow anyone to obtain an absentee voter ballot without giving a reason. The plan now heads to the Senate.
Currently, the only people allowed to vote by absentee ballot are those who expect to be absent from the community in
which they are registered on Election Day, those who are physically unable to make it to the polls without assistance,
those who cannot make it to the polls due to their religious beliefs, those who have been appointed election precinct
inspector in a precinct other than their home precinct, those who are age 60 or older, or those who are incarcerated
awaiting trial or arraignment.
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.
"Our residents must be able to hold our lawmakers accountable, and the best way for them to do that is to exercise their right to vote," Corriveau said. "This plan empowers more residents to vote, which is always a good thing. I urge my colleagues in the State Senate to approve this plan as quickly as possible."