State elections officials on Thursday added a third proposal to the Nov. 6 ballot that would expand voting rights in Michigan. The Board of State Canvassers voted unanimously to certify signatures for a ballot initiative that would amend the Michigan Constitution to allow for no-reason absentee voting by mail, guarantee continued straight-party voting and let residents register to vote up to and on Election Day. The approval from canvassers comes a day before the deadline for inclusion on the November ballot and roughly a week after the ballot committee Promote the Vote asked a federal judge to force state certification of the proposal.
Canvassers on Friday will consider a proposed summary for the November ballot that highlights the initiative’s straight ticket voting provision, no reason absentee voting and eased voter registration rules.
Promote the Vote submitted petitions to the state July 9, but the Bureau of Elections determined there were not enough valid signatures in an initial review sample to trigger automatic recommendation for approval.
The bureau announced earlier this month it would review a larger sample of 3,300 signatures before recommending approval or denial to the Board of State Canvassers.
Full Article: Voting rights proposal certified for Michigan’s November ballot.