By Rick Pluta
The state Senate has approved some prospective changes in Michigan voting laws. The measures would require training for people who register voters, and make people who pick up absentee ballots show a photo I-D or sign an affidavit affirming their identity.
The measures have raised concerns with voter-rights advocates.
Republican Secretary of State Ruth Johnson called for some new election rules to discourage vote fraud.
Fred Woodhams is her spokesman.
"Michigan has a good election system, a very good election system, but we want to improve that even more."
"To me, it's an attempt to suppress the vote."
Sue Smith is with the League of Women Voters.
"Either by making it harder for people to register to vote or by making it harder for them to vote at the polls, and I think that we're going in the wrong direction."
Smith said the requirements will discourage some people, the elderly, the poor, or handicapped, from casting ballots. She said it continues a trend in Michigan to make it harder for people to vote. Republicans said no one is denied a vote, and it is reasonable to ask voters to show they are who they say they are.
Copyright 2010, MPRN
The state Senate has approved some prospective changes in Michigan voting laws. The measures would require training for people who register voters, and make people who pick up absentee ballots show a photo I-D or sign an affidavit affirming their identity.
The measures have raised concerns with voter-rights advocates.
Republican Secretary of State Ruth Johnson called for some new election rules to discourage vote fraud.
Fred Woodhams is her spokesman.
"Michigan has a good election system, a very good election system, but we want to improve that even more."
"To me, it's an attempt to suppress the vote."
Sue Smith is with the League of Women Voters.
"Either by making it harder for people to register to vote or by making it harder for them to vote at the polls, and I think that we're going in the wrong direction."
Smith said the requirements will discourage some people, the elderly, the poor, or handicapped, from casting ballots. She said it continues a trend in Michigan to make it harder for people to vote. Republicans said no one is denied a vote, and it is reasonable to ask voters to show they are who they say they are.
Copyright 2010, MPRN