Thread by @Mkovach217

Today, MI Sen. Elections Committee is passing voter suppression bills that threaten to disenfranchise thousands of voters. Sen. Republicans designed these bills to take away choices on Election Day by removing the option to prove a voter’s identity by signing an affidavit. #MILeg

Michigan already has a voter ID law on the books that has effectively balanced the need for security and accessibility in our elections for decades. These anti-voter bills are just another attempt to put up barriers between people and their right to vote.

There is no significant evidence, after decades of studies, of voter fraud related to Affidavit Ballots. Maybe because the only form of fraud policies like this prevent – someone impersonating another voter - is so inefficient and carries high penalties.

Impersonating another voter requires visiting a polling place, identifying as someone you're not, giving a correct address, accurately forging an affidavit (a felony!), & then if, IF you pass each of these steps, submitting a SINGLE vote. The definition of high risk, low reward.

W/ no proven security benefit, tens of thousands of MI voters stand to be disenfranchised under these bills. Combined w/ the lack of any significant evidence of voter fraud related to affidavits, provides more than enough reason to reject these bills. But wait, there’s more…

Let’s look deeper @ who relies on affidavits. In 2016 over 18,000 MI voters proved who they were by signing an affidavit. A report submitted by @ACLUofMichigan to the committee found that 1/2 of affidavits that year were cast in precincts with disproportionately Black populations

The data provided to the committee also demonstrates that voters in 2016 living in 100% Black precincts were 16 times more likely to cast an Affidavit Ballot than voters living in precincts with no Black residents.

Eliminating the secure and accessible option for voters to prove who they are by singing an affidavit will have a racist impact and this was made clear to members on the Senate Elections Committee who will be voting on these bills today. #MILeg

Race isn’t the only factor. The 2016 affidavit ballots also reveal a stark picture in terms of income, w/ roughly half of them cast in precincts w/ a median household income of <$34,680. Black and lower-income voters will be disenfranchised @ staggeringly disproportionate rates

The courts have certainly seen the negative and disparate impact similar laws aimed at suppressing the vote inflict and have acted accordingly by striking them down as unconstitutional. These bills are radical. Only 7 states in this country have restrictions like these.

After passing historic expansion of voting freedoms through Proposal 3 in 2018, Michiganders turned out in record numbers to vote in 2020 in one of the state’s most secure elections in history. This should be reason to celebrate. #WeVoteMI #MILeg

Michigan Senate Republicans are blatantly ignoring the loud and clear message sent by Michiganders three years ago to make our elections more accessible to instead chase phantom notions of voter fraud and doppelgangers stealing votes.

Make no mistake, if #MILeg chooses racist voter suppression techniques rather than full enfranchisement, we will vindicate voters’ rights in court. They should preserve taxpayer resources and protect the right to vote by rejecting these unnecessary, and mean-spirited bills.