On Tuesday, expanded voter access gets its first test as Michiganders go to the polls in local elections.
Last November, Michigan voters approved Proposal 3. The ballot proposal called for same-day voter registration, absentee ballots for any reason and other provisions designed to expand voter access.
“We see this in some ways as a dry run as we prepare for the 2020 cycle of elections” says Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
Money is one problem for local clerks. They see the added manpower and hours needed to comply with Prop 3 as another unfunded mandate.
Kristen Millard is the Montcalm County Clerk. She says the changes are putting a financial burden on local clerks’ offices.
“I think the only way we’re going to see that fixed is if it’s done legislatively,” says Millard.
The majority of Tuesday’s election involve local school millages.
