LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder recently signed legislation to increase election transparency, prevent election fraud and provide consistency across all voting locations.
The election reform bills provide for better documentation of campaign funding and increase penalties for neglecting to follow regulations.
"These reforms will make a good election system even better by adding appropriate safeguards and improving transparency," Snyder said.
Most of the bills are based on reforms proposed by Secretary of State Ruth Johnson.
"There is nothing more sacred to democracy than integrity in our elections - safeguarding the principle of one citizen, one vote," said Johnson. "Our system is the best in the world and I encourage every voter who can do so to register and vote to have their voice heard on Election Day. These measures, along with electronic poll books and post-election audits, will work together to ensure integrity in the process."
The governor signed 11 bills regarding election reform. In addition, the governor vetoed three bills.
Signed
Senate Bill 751, sponsored by state Sen. Dave Robertson, streamlines the voter registration process. It enables courts to monitor the voter registration status of people who have surrendered their Michigan driver license and could be registered to vote in multiple states. The bill is now Public Act 270 of 2012.
H.B. 5062 and S.B. 752, sponsored by state Rep. Anthony Forlini and state Sen. Goeff Hansen, ensure proper handling of election materials by establishing election clerk education programs as well as a post-election review process. On-site ballots and absentee ballots must be printed using the same format to provide consistency for election officials responsible for reporting results. The bills are now P.A.s 271 and 272.
H.B. 5059 and S.B. 753, sponsored by state Rep. Sharon Tyler and state Sen. Jack Brandenburg, require any political party attempting to qualify as a new recognized party in Michigan to report on their spending. All independent committees must also file a quarterly spending report. The bills are now P.A.s 273 and 274.
H.B. 5058, sponsored by state Rep. Marty Knollenberg, prohibits the use of campaign funds to pay for a candidate's legal expenses in cases unrelated to running for office. Any unauthorized legal costs must be paid for using a separate fund. The bill ensures donors that their funds are used only for campaign-related expenses. The bill is now P.A. 275.
S.B.s 823, 824 and 825, also sponsored by Robertson, improve transparency of the election process. Any ballot or petition language must be submitted to the Secretary of State prior to circulation of the petition and the Secretary of State will post this language to its website for easy voter access. The bills also prohibit posing as an election official in a polling place on Election Day and move the deadline for a candidate to file nomination petitions to the 15th Tuesday before the primary rather than the 12th or 14th Tuesday. The bills are now P.A.s 276, 277 and 278.
H.B. 5297, sponsored by state Rep. Rick Outman, allows members of the U.S. armed forces and overseas U.S. citizens to vote in state and local elections by absentee ballot. Military members and overseas citizens already have access to federal elections via the same means. The bill is now P.A. 279.
H.B. 4656, sponsored by state Rep. Anthony Forlini, prohibits the name of any elected official or any person running for official office to appear on any ballot related materials. It is already law that no candidate can display material within 100 feet of a polling place. With regard to an absentee ballot, the envelope and related materials is identified as a polling place, therefore no official names may appear on the envelope. The bill is now P.A. 280.
Vetoed
Senate Bill 754, sponsored by Mark Jansen, sought training for people, companies and organizations participating in voter registration. While Snyder supports the concept of training individuals involved in voter registration, he said changes with the registration of third party voter registration organizations, and the timing and training of those entities, may cause confusion with ongoing voter registration efforts.
H.B. 5061 and S.B. 803, sponsored by state Rep. Brad Jacobsen and state Sen. Darwin Booher, aimed to prevent voting fraud by requiring a voter to reaffirm U.S. citizenship before receiving a ballot and requiring photo ID when picking up an absentee ballot from a city office. Snyder said he appreciates the issue of ensuring voters are eligible and U.S. citizens, however this legislation could create voter confusion among absentee voters.
Visit www.legislature.mi.gov for more information on the bills.
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JULY 3, 2012
Johnson thanks lawmakers for acting on her SAFE Initiative
LANSING, Mich. - Secretary of State Ruth Johnson applauded state lawmakers today for their work to move much-needed election reforms forward in the state.
"To me there is nothing more sacred to democracy than integrity in our elections - safeguarding the principle of one citizen, one vote," Johnson said. "Our system is the best in the world and I encourage every voter who can do so to register and vote to have their voice heard on Election Day. These measures, such as electronic pollbooks and post-election audits, will work together to ensure integrity in the process."
Key lawmakers praised the legislation that was signed today.
"I'm grateful for the cooperative efforts that achieved these positive changes for voters," said Sen. David Robertson, R-Grand Blanc, chair of the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee. "Together, we have improved elections in Michigan."
"These reforms will strengthen our elections system and further promote election integrity," said Rep. Pete Lund, R-Shelby Township, chair of the House Redistricting and Elections Committee."
The legislation makes Johnson's proposals in her Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) Initiative last fall a reality. Included in the reform package signed by Snyder today are bills that would:
Toughen campaign finance laws, including creation of felony charges and possible forfeiture of funds for the worst offenders.
Prevent stealth efforts, such as the fake Tea Party, by requiring organizations to file campaign finance reports so voters know who is really behind those efforts.
Create new election night policies so errors and issues can be immediately detected by election workers once the polls close.
Promote election transparency by requiring ballot question and political action committees file campaign statements more often. Ballot question committees also must file earlier.
Stop candidates from using campaign money to pay for legal expenses unrelated to their campaigns.
Johnson said that while she is disappointed the governor chose to not sign parts of the package - all parts of which drew bipartisan support - she will continue to work for election reform.
"The fact remains that the citizenship checkbox has prevented unqualified voters from casting ballots," Johnson said, adding she will continue to require that ballot application forms have the citizenship checkbox.
For more information about Secretary of State programs and services, visit www.Michigan.gov/sos. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/michsos and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/michigansos. Customers also may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).
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For media questions, please call Fred Woodhams
WASHINGTON, June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former Presidential Candidate Gary Bauer congratulated Governor Scott Walker for his win in Wisconsin's recall election, calling it "another sign that taxpayers will award office holders ready to do the hard work of reigning in out-of-control government spending."
Bauer, the chairman of the Campaign for Working Families, made the following statement:
"I congratulate Governor Scott Walker for his hard-fought victory tonight, and most especially for having the courage of his convictions to fight the good fight. But the victory in Wisconsin is not Scott Walker's alone. It is a victory for the hard-working taxpayers of Wisconsin, who foot the bill year after year. It is a victory for common sense over powerful special interests. It is a victory that taxpayers in every state can celebrate. It is a victory, yes, even for some union members.
"Since Gov. Walker's reforms were enacted, tens of thousands of state employees have opted to keep more of the money they earn rather than let the public employees union siphon off their hard-earned dollars. In other words, once given the choice, more than half of the public employees union's members decided that they didn't need the union. These reforms will pay real dividends for the taxpayers of Wisconsin. They are the real winners tonight.
"The recall election is a sign of good things to come. The power of the Big Labor bosses has finally been checked, not just in Wisconsin, but also in scores of other states across the country. More governors, legislators and taxpayers will be inspired to stand up against the liberal labor unions and do what is truly in the best interests of their communities. Wisconsin's 10 Electoral College votes are now in play, and the anti-tax, small government movement that swept the country in 2010 is about to sweep Barack Obama out of office in 154 days!"
Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1drYR)