Lansing Sun

The Michigan Secretary of State's office says that Michigan voters need a photo ID to register as a voter or to cast their votes in elections.

However, the Secretary of State's webpage says, "If you do not have photo ID, you can still cast a ballot simply by signing an affidavit. ... Once you sign the affidavit, you may cast your ballot. It will be counted with all other ballots on Election Day."

Chris Arps, president of Americans for Citizen Voting and host of NewsTalkSTL's afternoon drive time, said that partisans may claim voter ID is needed, but "that's not the case." 

"The Secretary of State's office clearly lays out how voters can bypass requirements that the supermajority of Michiganders support," Arps told the Lansing Sun. "That is precisely why a ballot proposal to enforce voter ID requirements is necessary."

Recent polling backs Arps' claims, a statewide survey revealed. Most Michiganders, 76%, support showing an ID to vote as opposed to 14% who are against.

In an effort to boost confidence in state elections, Secure MI Vote currently has an ongoing petition that would require voter ID.

Voters currently do not have to show a photo ID to register to vote, the Michigan Secretary of State's office said. A utility bill, paycheck stub, bank statement or government document showing the resident’s name and address can serve as a form of ID.

Secure MI Vote is among more than a dozen petitions trying to get on the November ballot, a recent Bridge Michigan report said.

Michiganders can learn more about Secure MI Vote and sign up to receive a petition at securemivote.org.