LANSING – In a move to increase voter participation and ensure that more residents have the opportunity to hold their lawmakers accountable, State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today supported a plan to allow any Michigan resident to vote by absentee ballot.
"The more our residents make their voices heard, the more everyone benefits," Ebli said. "As we work to create jobs and rebuild our economy, residents of all ages must be informed and able to express their views on the best course to take to get our state back on track. This plan will give our residents greater access to the voting process and ensure they are part of helping us make those important decisions."
The plan passed by the House today will allow any eligible voter to obtain an absentee voter ballot by simply requesting one from their clerk. Voters are currently required to provide one of six reasons why they could not make it to the polls in order to obtain an absentee voter ballot. The plan now heads to the Senate.
Currently, the only people allowed to vote by absentee ballot are those who expect to be absent from the community in which they are registered on Election Day, those who are physically unable to make it to the polls without assistance, those who cannot make it to the polls due to their religious beliefs, those who have been appointed election precinct inspector in a precinct other than their home precinct, those who are age 60 or older, or those who are incarcerated awaiting trial or arraignment.
"Our residents need to be able to hold our lawmakers accountable, and the best way to do that is by exercising their right to vote," Ebli said. "It can be difficult for some of our hard-working residents who work long days, or work more than one job to make it to the polls. This plan ensures every eligible resident who wants to vote can do so, and I call on the Senate to pass this plan as soon as possible."