September 11, 2007, Introduced by Senators CHERRY, SCOTT, OLSHOVE, BASHAM, WHITMER, CLARKE, SWITALSKI and THOMAS and referred to the Committee on Campaign and Election Oversight.
A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled
"Michigan election law,"
by amending section 523 (MCL 168.523), as amended by 2005 PA 71.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 523. (1) At each election, before being given a ballot,
each registered elector offering to vote shall identify himself or
herself
by presenting an official state identification card issued
to
that individual pursuant to Act No. 222 of the Public Acts of
1972,
being sections 28.291 to 28.295 of the Michigan Compiled
Laws,
an operator's or chauffeur's license issued to that
individual
pursuant to the Michigan vehicle code, Act No. 300 of
the
Public Acts of 1949, being sections 257.1 to 257.923 of the
Michigan
Compiled Laws, or other generally recognized picture
identification
card and by executing an
application showing his or
her signature or mark and address of residence in the presence of
an election official. If an elector's signature contained in the
qualified voter file is available in the polling place, the
election official shall compare the signature upon the application
with the digitized signature provided by the qualified voter file.
If an elector's signature is not contained in the qualified voter
file, the election official shall process the application in the
same manner as applications are processed when a voter registration
list is used in the polling place. If voter registration lists are
used in the precinct, the election inspector shall determine if the
name on the application to vote appears on the voter registration
list. If the name appears on the voter registration list, the
elector shall provide further identification by giving his or her
date of birth or other information stated upon the voter
registration list. In precincts using voter registration lists, the
date of birth may be required to be placed on the application to
vote. If the signature or an item of information does not
correspond, the vote of the person shall be challenged, and the
same procedure shall be followed as provided in this act for the
challenging of an elector. If the person offering to vote has
signed the registration card or application by making a mark, the
person shall identify himself or herself by giving his or her date
of birth, which shall be compared with the date of birth stated
upon the registration card or voter registration list, or shall
give other identification as may be referred to upon the
registration
card or voter registration list. If the elector does
not
have an official state identification card, operator's or
chauffeur's
license as required in this subsection, or other
generally
recognized picture identification card, the individual
shall
sign an affidavit to that effect before an election inspector
and
be allowed to vote as otherwise provided in this act. However,
an
elector being allowed to vote without the identification
required
under this subsection is subject to challenge as provided
in
section 727.
(2) If, upon a comparison of the signature or other
identification as required in subsection (1), it is found that the
applicant is entitled to vote, the election officer having charge
of the registration list shall approve the application and write
his or her initials on the application, after which the number on
the ballot issued shall be noted on the application. The
application shall serve as 1 of the 2 poll lists required to be
kept as a record of a person who has voted. The application shall
be filed with the township, city, or village clerk. If voter
registration cards are used in the precinct, the date of the
election shall be noted by 1 of the election officials upon the
precinct registration card of each elector voting at an election.
If voter registration lists are used in the precinct, the election
official shall clearly indicate upon the list each elector voting
at that election. The clerk of a city, village, or township shall
maintain a record of voting participation for each registered
elector.