The Michigan Board of State Canvassers met on Monday and split along party lines, 2‑2, leaving a citizen‑only voting amendment off the November ballot. The deadlock occurred minutes before the 5 p.m. certification deadline, meaning the proposal will not appear unless the sponsors win a court appeal.
What the amendment sought
The initiative, titled “Americans for Citizen Voting‑Michigan,” would add language to the state constitution stating that only U.S. citizens may vote. It also called for regular reviews of voter rolls and required photo identification for all voters.
Signature verification shortfall
Proponents submitted more than 700,000 signatures in March, well above the 446,198 needed to qualify. The Bureau of Elections then sampled 1,000 signatures, requiring at least 629 to be deemed valid. The board found 626 valid signatures, three short of the threshold, prompting the deadlock.
Reactions from supporters
Paul Jacob, president of the Liberty Initiative Fund, expressed frustration and vowed to continue legal challenges, saying, “We are not giving up. You can’t cheat the people of Michigan and get away with it.” The Michigan Fair Elections Institute, which backed the measure, called the board’s decision “disappointing” and accused members of ignoring the rule of law.
Republican leaders also voiced concern. Anthony Forlini, the Republican candidate for Michigan secretary of state, criticized the board for allowing partisan politics to outweigh a notarized affidavit. Governor‑candidate John James singled out the Bureau of Elections and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, alleging that her office is working to keep the measure off the ballot.
Political context
The two Republican members of the four‑person board voted to place the initiative on the ballot, while the two Democratic members voted against it. The split reflects broader partisan debates in Michigan over election integrity, voter‑ID laws, and the role of non‑citizen voting.
Next steps
The sponsors have until September 2 to file an appeal, which would go directly to the Michigan Supreme Court. If the court overturns the board’s decision, the measure could still appear on the November ballot.
Regardless of the outcome, the episode underscores ongoing tensions in Michigan over election policy and the balance between voter access and verification.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
