Lansing Sun

Michigan Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton) continues to support efforts to strengthen the security of Michigan elections.

In late 2021, the Michigan State Legislature overwhelmingly passed measures that would have increased identification requirements for both in-person and absentee voting, according to The Detroit News.

“A consistent requirement for all voters to present an ID before receiving a ballot protects the voter and ensures they have a voice with their vote," Bollin told the Lansing Sun. "It is time to come together -- to restore confidence with our public -- and protect the vote so every eligible voter can vote freely, secretly, independently and securely. These bills will do just that.”

Rep. Ann Bollin | Michigan House Republicans

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) vetoed the legislation.

"To be clear, there is no evidence that use of affidavit ballots is related to voter fraud," Whitmer said, according to The Detroit News. "In fact, the Michigan Senate Oversight Committee recently concluded that the 2020 election produced no significant evidence of  fraud."

Bollin is a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives. She was first elected in November 2018 and represents the 42nd District in southeast Livingston County.            

A recent poll conducted by Remington Research Group found that an overwhelming majority of Michigan voters wants to increase election security through measures like requiring an ID to vote, according to Americans for Citizen Voting. More than 75% of Michigan voters support “requiring voters to show a government-issued photo ID in order to vote."   

Michigan voters are not currently required to present a photo ID to register or to vote. They could instead use a utility bill or bank statement at the polls if proof of address was requested, according to the Michigan Secretary of State's website.

One group is seeking to act on the apparent support for new election laws is Secure MI Vote. The organization is a political campaign aimed at changing Michigan's voting laws to make them more "secure." They are promoting new legislation, which would require photo IDs at the polls, an ID or Social Security number for an absentee ballot, create standard guidelines for absentee ballot collection and drop-off boxes, prohibit the unsolicited distribution of absentee ballot applications and ban private donations to fund election infrastructure.