Title
Resolution Supporting HB 4774 To Allow In-Person Voter Registration At Any City, County Or Township Clerk's Office
Body
Whereas, Michigan Election Law currently distinguishes between in-person voter registration and mail-in voter registration by placing certain restrictions on first-time registrants who register to vote by mail;
Whereas, "Mail-in voter registrations" restrict a first-time voter's ability to request an absentee ballot and can result in additional delays on Election Day such as requiring proof of valid identification or residency;
Whereas, Some part-time residents of the City of Ann Arbor, including students at the University of Michigan, register to vote with the Ann Arbor City Clerk using their home address in another Michigan city or township;
Whereas, The Ann Arbor City Clerk does not have the authority to accept these registrations as "in-person" and must forward them to other Michigan clerks as "mail-in" registrations;
Whereas, HB 4774, introduced by Rep. Tim Melton, would amend Michigan Election Law to allow Michigan residents to register to vote (in person) at any county, city or township clerk's office in the State; and
Whereas, Passage of HB 4774 is supported by the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks and would provide greater access to voter registration and elections for Michigan's newest eligible voters;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council urges Governor Granholm, the Michigan Senate, and the Michigan House of Representatives to simplify the voter registration process for new voters by supporting HB 4774; and
RESOLVED, That the City Clerk shall send copies of this Resolution to Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, Senator Liz Brater, Representative Pam Byrnes, Representative Rebekah Warren, Representative Tim Melton, the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks and the Michigan Student Assembly President.