A constitutional amendment proposed by two representatives would alleviate long lines at polls by allowing no-reason absentee and early voting, they said Wednesday. Rep. Gretchen Driskell, D-Saline, and Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, introduced a “voter bill of rights” on Wednesday. The resolution would amend the constitution to allow no-reason absentee voting, early voting and automatic registration when a voter gets a driver’s license or state ID card. It would also automatically send ballots to Michiganders serving in the armed forces overseas. “To ensure that our voices are heard, and that our votes count, we need to update and modernize our elections so that they work for everyone who is eligible and exercises the right to vote. That’s why a voter bill of rights is so important,” Driskell said.
Hoadley and Driskell both expressed concern that the elimination of straight-ticket voting, signed into law earlier this year, would create longer lines at the polls. But by allowing people to vote early and absentee some of that could be alleviated, they said.
“The reality is that these are non-partisan fixes that say you can still remove straight-ticket voting but give voters a chance, the opportunities, to fill out their ballot, not have to choose between waiting in line and missing work or having their voice heard at the polls,” Hoadley said.
Full Article: House Democrats seek to amend constitution, add ‘voter bill of rights’ | MLive.com.