In response to the Michigan House passing HJR-B, a voter suppression bill that would block access to the ballot to thousands of Michigan voters, Common Cause Michigan released the following statement:

“This resolution is voter suppression and its requirements for certain, unknown documents would likely constitute a future poll tax, period. It would block access to the ballot for millions of Michiganders who lack the right documents to comply but are American citizens and eligible to vote. Regardless of the next steps for this resolution, whether it’s legislative or citizen ballot initiative, Michigan must reject this clear voter suppression,” said Quentin Turner, Common Cause Michigan Executive Director.

HJR-B would cause several problems for current eligible voters, including:  

• Additional hoops: Voters would have to prove their U.S. citizenship multiple times. Even if voters have been registered for decades, the bill leaves it up to future legislatures which documents are allowed any time a voter’s registration is updated. This would cause confusion and could allow future legislatures to institute extreme restrictions. A driver’s license or REAL ID are not sufficient. Voters whose names do not match the birth certificate (like a married Michigander) may be removed from the voter roll.  

• Additional financial burden on voters: Voters would have to cover the expense of jumping through these hoops. That means having to pay for any necessary documentation including passports, copies of birth certificates, or copies of marriage licenses. 

• Long lines: Election officials would be buried in red tape, causing delays and confusion at polling places without additional support.  

• Unknown voter purges: If the state can’t verify citizenship, voters could be purged from the rolls without warning.