How do Michigan's voting laws stack up?

Troy Reimink | By Troy Reimink |
Follow on Twitter
on September 21, 2010 at 12:10 PM, updated September 21, 2010 at 3:40 PM

Michigan is one of 10 states whose voting laws need revision, according to a joint report by two progressive organizations.

New York think tank Demos and Washington-based Common Cause indicated Michigan isn't as bad as some states, but improvements are needed to avoid voter disenfranchisement come November.

According to the report:

•Newly enacted procedures under the National Voting Registration Act have not been sufficiently implemented in Michigan.

•The lack of a law specifically banning deceptive practices leaves voters susceptible to misinformation from campaigns.

•Provisional ballots cast in the wrong precinct, even if cast in the correct polling site or county, are not counted, potentially leading to many eligible voters' ballots being disregarded.

•The voter registration deadline of 30 days before the election bars some interested voters from participating.

•Any registered voter in Michigan is allowed to challenge the eligibility of any other registered voter, which, as the Detroit News explains, leaves voters responsible for defending their right to vote.

•The system potentially discriminates against non-English-speaking voters, as voters must navigate the Secretary of State website in English to find Spanish-language registration forms.

The report also cited ways in which Michigan's voting laws are exemplary. For example, the voting rights of convicted criminals are restored as soon as they're released from prison. Also, the state's laws do not jeopardize the security of overseas and military voters.

Furthermore, as noted by the Hill, we're a model state for bringing new citizens into the system:

In fairness, there are some encouraging signs. The Michigan secretary of state's office runs registration tables at naturalization ceremonies, so new citizens are welcomed immediately into the political process.

E-mail Troy Reimink: and follow him on Twitter at