No Reason Absentee Voter Bill Up for Discussion

Governor Rick Snyder, upon signing a bill to repeal the straight ticket option on ballots (SB 13, PA 268, immediate effect), released a statement urging the Senate to pass HB 4724, a bill to allow no reason absentee voting. It is Mr. Snyder’s feeling that this bill is necessary to counteract the likely increase in poll time with the elimination of straight ticket voting.

The original tie bar between SB 13 and HB 4724 was broken in the Senate with Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) and Senator Dave Robertson (R-Grand Blanc), chair of the Elections and Government Reform Committee, both opposing an expansion of absentee voting. In the wake of Snyder’s statement, spokeswoman for the Majority Leader Amber McCann commented that a Republican caucus discussion is to be expected. Ms. McCann included that although Senators Meekhof and Robertson personally oppose the issue, there are members of the caucus who are interested in it. Majority Floor Leader Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township) added HB 4724 should receive hearings and be put up for a vote. Mr. Kowall commented he hasn’t decided on the bill, but will keep an open mind.

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is in support of no reason absentee voting and urged the Senate to pass the bill onto the governor. Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto), sponsor of the legislation, praised both Governor Snyder and Secretary of State Johnson on their support and hopes the Senate will soon join them in supporting HB 4724.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, January 8, 2016 10:29 AM
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