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Rep. Driskell: Without fraud evidence, Voter ID proposals offer solution without a problem

A sign posted in a Troy polling place in 2014.
ACLU of Michigan
A sign posted in a Troy polling place in 2014.

In the lame duck session of the Michigan Legislature, a package of bills is being debated.

It would require already-registered Michigan voters to present a photo ID card. If you did not have an ID at the polling place you could vote, but you’d have to present an ID to election officials within 10 days or your vote would not count.

The vice chair of the House Elections Committee, Democrat Representative Gretchen Driskell joined Stateside to talk about why she voted "no" on the voter ID proposals in committee.
Driskell said there are Michiganders who just don't have a photo ID, such as seniors, disabled individuals, lower income citizens or anyone who doesn't drive.

Republicans have cited voter fraud and upholding the integrity of the voting process as the reasons for Voter ID laws.

But does voter fraud exist in Michigan?

According to Driskell, there have been 20 cases of in-person voter fraud throughout the entire country and none in the state of Michigan since 2000.

She said this is not a partisan issue and that the state of Michigan is one of the worst when it comes to voting rights and that there should be efforts to support voters rather than turning them away.

Listen to the full interview above to hear about the voter bill of rights that Driskell proposed, some ways to make voting easier in Michigan, and what the likelihood is for voter ID laws to be passed in the lame duck session.

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