Michigan Board Approves Summary for Proof-of-Citizenship Ballot Initiative
LANSING, MI – The Michigan Board of State Canvassers has unanimously approved the summary language for a new ballot initiative requiring proof of citizenship for voters. Proposed by Americans for Citizen Voting (ACV), the initiative aims to amend the Michigan Constitution, allowing voters to decide the degree of strictness of citizenship requirements.
The summary, consisting of 99 words, enables ACV to start gathering nearly 450,000 signatures needed for the initiative to be placed on the 2026 ballot. This follows a similar initiative approved last month by the Committee to Protect Voters’ Rights, both of which call for requiring new and potentially current voters to prove U.S. citizenship.
ACV’s proposal may create two separate voter lists, reminiscent of Arizona’s system, differentiating between those who can vote in all elections and those restricted to federal races. The initiative also introduces penalties for both voters and election officials who do not comply. Both Republican and Democratic members of the board raised concerns regarding these punitive measures, with Chair Richard Houskamp noting a risk of "weaponizing" the law against voters. Vice Chair Mary Ellen Gurewitz emphasized that the proposal would have "a seriously injurious effect" on Michigan voters.
Despite the contentious nature of the proposals, the Board’s responsibility was to ensure the summary language was accurate, unbiased, and understandable. They spent hours refining the wording before reaching an agreement. However, further approval of the form was postponed due to typographical errors, with ACV planning to re-submit in June.
This initiative reflects a national conservative movement aimed at enforcing stricter voting regulations. Following an incident involving a noncitizen casting a ballot in the last election, Michigan Republicans have prioritized the push for documentary proof of citizenship among registered voters.
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