Livingston Today

Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Township) testified on Sept. 2 in support of her new bill to make it a felony if someone knowingly fills out an absentee ballot application fraudulently, according to Michigan House Republicans.

Bollin's new bill, sponsored with Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet) and Sen. Kevin Daley (R-Lum), would help prevent voter fraud by providing additional protections. 

Bollin said the combination of Proposition 3, which provided for no-reason absentee voting in the state, and the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a huge increase in the number of voters requesting absentee ballots.

Rep. Ann Bollin | Michigan House Republicans

Proposition 3 was passed in 2018 and allowed any voter to vote by absentee ballot, according to Ballotpedia.

Bollin, in her press statement, said the secretary of state reviewed absentee ballot applications. The finding was that many absentee ballot applications were sent to households where the addressee no longer lives, as some had moved and others were deceased. In addition, local clerks and political groups sent out absentee ballot applications, which could create confusion and lead to the potential for fraud, according to Michigan House Republicans.

Bollin's new bill would provide additional protections to prevent voter fraud. House Bill 5880 would make it a felony if a person knowingly makes a false statement on an absentee voter application. State law currently considers this a misdemeanor. 

“At a time when we are inundated with noise about our elections, especially absentee or mail-in voting, these bills will serve as a deterrent for potential shenanigans in our election process and enhance voter confidence,” Bollin told Michigan House Republicans. “As a former clerk, I believe protecting the integrity of the ballot and the process is of utmost importance.”

HB 5880 would make it a felony for filing a fraudulent absentee voter application, which would potentially be punishable by up to five years in prison.