While it may not be getting the attention that Proposal 3, or Reproductive Freedom for All (RFFA), is receiving, supporters of Proposal 2, or Promote the Vote (PTV), believe the very nature of being able to cast a ballot is at stake on Nov. 8.
“It will make voting more secure and accessible for all eligible Michiganders,” said Nancy Wang, executive director of the nonpartisan group Voters Not Politicians (VNP), a leading partner in the Promote the Vote 2022 coalition.
Proposal 2 would amend Article II of the Michigan Constitution to expand voting rights.
The coalition that placed the “Promote the Vote” initiative on the ballot included nearly 30 partner organizations, including the NAACP Michigan State Conference, Michigan League for Conservation Voters and Michigan Farmers Union.
Wang told the Michigan Advance despite the success of that effort, additional protections are necessary.
“Proposal 2 increases election security by enshrining Michigan’s current effective voter ID law into our state Constitution, and will ensure that voters verify their identity before their vote is counted, whether voting in person or by absentee ballot,” she said. “In fact, Proposal 2 requires local clerks to verify the identity of an absentee voter twice: First, on the application for an absentee ballot or to join the mail voter list, and second on each and every absentee ballot.”
Wang told the Advance that facts have to take precedence over politics when it comes to the essentials of democracy.
“Voters we’re talking to overwhelmingly agree that the fundamental right to have our vote counted, regardless of where we live or who we vote for, is essential to our democracy, so it’s discouraging to see former state election officials more concerned with pleasing their party base than supporting modern, secure, and accessible voting for all eligible Michiganders.” she said.
This story was originally published by Michigan Advance. Read more here: https://michiganadvance.com/2022/10/31/how-proposal-2-would-change-voting-and-elections-in-michigan/
