To the editor:

The League of Women Voters of the Copper Country is educating voters on Michigan’s fair and secure elections in light of a ballot proposal that would make voting harder for many people.

The organization, Secure MI Vote, is collecting signatures now to enact citizen-led legislation to take away Election Day voting options, make absentee voting less accessible and gut funding for election administration in Michigan. The League of Women Voters of the Copper Country, along with other local Leagues and the League of Women Voters of Michigan, oppose the Secure MI Vote measures and support Michigan’s current voter validation system that has worked for decades.

“This proposal eliminates options that make voting more accessible to all, especially for Black and brown communities, seniors, people with disabilities and rural voters,” said Barry Fink, with the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country. “Our last presidential election was the most secure in history, and our state already has safeguards for elections. The MI Senate Oversight Committee, chaired by State Senator Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Township) confirmed that the 2020 election in MI was secure and no fraud occurred. Not only is this proposal unnecessary, it disenfranchises voters from participating in our foremost democratic process.” The proposal includes other measures that will further impede our elections.

In 2018, Michigan voters overwhelmingly voted to amend the constitution to help voters, not to take rights away.

The ballot proposal includes an appropriation that, if approved by the Michigan Legislature, would prevent a vote of the people from overturning the law, further denying the people of Michigan a voice on the issue. More information on the League of Women Voters’ advocacy is available at the League of Women Voters of Michigan website.