September 3, 2013, Introduced by Reps. Knezek and Schor and referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics.
A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled
"Michigan election law,"
by amending section 523 (MCL 168.523), as amended by 2012 PA 523.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 523. (1) At each election, before being given a ballot,
each registered elector offering to vote shall identify himself or
herself by presenting an official state identification card issued
to
that individual under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, an
operator's
or chauffeur's license issued to that individual under
the
Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, or
other
or a generally recognized picture identification card and
by
executing an application, on a form prescribed by the secretary of
state, in the presence of an election official which includes all
of the following:
(a) The name of the elector.
(b) The elector's address of residence.
(c) The elector's date of birth.
(d) An affirmative statement by the elector that is included
in the signature statement indicating that he or she is a citizen
of the United States.
(e) The elector's signature or mark.
(2) If an elector's signature contained in the qualified voter
file is available in the polling place, the election official shall
compare the signature upon the application with the digitized
signature provided by the qualified voter file. If an elector's
signature is not contained in the qualified voter file, the
election official shall process the application in the same manner
as applications are processed when a voter registration list is
used in the polling place. If voter registration lists are used in
the precinct, the election inspector shall determine if the name on
the application to vote appears on the voter registration list. If
the name appears on the voter registration list, the elector shall
provide further identification or other information stated upon the
voter registration list. If the signature or an item of information
does not correspond, the vote of the person shall be challenged,
and the same procedure shall be followed as provided in this act
for the challenging of an elector. If the elector does not have an
official
state identification card , operator's or chauffeur's
license,
or other a generally
recognized picture identification
card
as required under this subsection, section, the individual
shall sign an affidavit to that effect before an election inspector
and be allowed to vote as otherwise provided in this act. However,
an elector being allowed to vote without the identification
required
under this subsection section
is subject to challenge as
provided in section 727.
(3) If, upon a comparison of the signature or other
identification as required in this section, it is found that the
applicant is entitled to vote, the election officer having charge
of the registration list shall approve the application and write
his or her initials on the application, after which the number on
the ballot issued shall be noted on the application. The
application shall serve as 1 of the 2 poll lists required to be
kept as a record of a person who has voted. The application shall
be filed with the township, city, or village clerk. If voter
registration cards are used in the precinct, the date of the
election shall be noted by 1 of the election officials upon the
precinct registration card of each elector voting at an election.
If voter registration lists are used in the precinct, the election
official shall clearly indicate upon the list each elector voting
at that election. The clerk of a city, village, or township shall
maintain a record of voting participation for each registered
elector.
(4) As used in this section, "official state identification
card" means 1 or more of the following:
(a) An official state personal identification card issued
under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300.
(b) A current or expired operator's or chauffeur's license
issued under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to
257.923.
(c) A military identification card.
(d) A Michigan bridge card as defined in section 1109 of the
food law, 2000 PA 92, MCL 289.1109.
(e) A current utility bill.
(f) A current paycheck.
(g) A current bank statement.
(h) A current debit or credit card.
(i) A current retirement center identification card.
(j) A current neighborhood association identification card.
(k) A current employee identification card.
(l) A current student or school identification card.
(m) A current government-issued license to carry or possess a
firearm.
(n) A current unemployment benefits debit card issued by a
state unemployment office.