Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote in Michigan.

Highlights:

• Defines a “federal-only voter” as a voter registration applicant whose United States citizenship has not been verified, who is not already a registered voter, and who is not entitled to vote in any election other than for federal offices (Sec. 15a).

• Requires individuals to provide documentation demonstrating United States citizenship in order to be automatically registered to vote by the secretary of state (Sec. 15a).

• Requires voter registration applications to include a statement informing applicants of the following (Sec. 15a):

• That state law requires an applicant’s United States citizenship to be verified in order to vote in state and local elections;

• That the secretary of state shall verify the citizenship status of the applicant; and

• That the applicant may expedite the verification process by providing satisfactory evidence of United States citizenship.

• Requires the secretary of state to verify the citizenship status of all voter registration applicants using existing databases maintained by the department of state and the United States Department of Homeland Security (Sec. 496c).

• Authorizes a voter registration applicant to provide the following forms of evidence of United States citizenship to expedite the verification process (Sec. 496c):

• Driver’s license or personal identification card;

• Birth certificate;

• United States passport;

• United States naturalization documents;

• Certificate of Citizenship;

• American Indian Card with the classification “KIC”;

• Bureau of Indian Affairs card number, Indian Census number, tribal treaty card number, or tribal enrollment number; or

• Certification of Report of Birth of Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

• Specifies that if the secretary of state is unable to verify the citizenship status of a voter registration applicant, then all of the following apply (Sec. 496c):

• The applicant shall be notified;

• The applicant is not a registered elector; and

• The applicant is designated as a federal-only voter.

Full Bill Text