Livingston Today

State Rep. Ann Bollin advocated for a measure requiring voter ID in Michigan, but the proposal failed to secure enough votes due to lack of support from House Democrats. The proposed measure sought to amend the Michigan Constitution by requiring first-time voters to provide proof of citizenship, and for in-person and absentee voters to submit photo ID or an identification number. Despite public support for voter ID laws, the resolution did not achieve the two-thirds majority needed to advance. The discussion coincides with an upcoming federal deadline, requiring travelers to have a REAL ID-compliant license to board domestic flights starting May 7.

Ann Bollin, R-Brighton Township, emphasized that Michigan has invested considerable resources to inform the public about REAL ID requirements. She highlighted, “As the federal deadline approaches, our very own Secretary of State has boasted about the high rate of individuals who have upgraded or obtained a REAL ID. As of late March, we were close to 80%.”

As a former Brighton Township clerk, Bollin co-sponsored the resolution aiming to strengthen election security. “Fair, free and secure elections are incumbent upon us having voter rolls that are accurate, voter rolls that are current, and voter rolls that conform to the laws of our nation and our state,” Bollin stated. She argued that the proposal complemented the REAL ID, asserting, “HJR B is a compliment to REAL ID and a commonsense proposal to ensure we are following the most fundamental and elementary requirements to vote – verifying U.S. citizenship.”

If passed by a two-thirds vote in both state chambers, the measure would have appeared on the general election ballot, offering voters the opportunity to decide on its inclusion in the state constitution. A Pew Research survey highlighted its public backing, with 81% of respondents supporting the necessity for government-issued photo identification to vote.