Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan has enacted a series of laws expanding voter access and reinforcing election security for the 2024 elections. These new measures, signed on Thursday, extend voting rights to recently released ex-convicts and allow teenagers aged 16 and 17 to pre-register to vote.
The legislative package, seen as a continuation of the voter-approved Proposal 2 from 2022, also focuses on safeguarding the integrity of elections. It introduces a law that criminalizes threats or intimidation aimed at poll workers, penalizing such actions with potential jail time and fines. This move is in response to growing concerns about the safety of election officials.
In an effort to combat misinformation, the laws require political advertisements using artificial intelligence, such as deepfakes, to carry clear disclaimers. This regulation aims to prevent the manipulation of images and videos for political gain.
Another significant aspect of the new laws is the streamlining of the election certification process. This change ensures that the process aligns with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act, emphasizing that county and state partisan election canvassers have a non-discretionary duty to certify results as collected by local clerks. The law also expedites the post-election canvass and stipulates that only the governor has the authority to submit a list of presidential electors to Congress.
While these reforms have been met with support from those advocating for broader voter access and election security, they have also faced opposition from GOP members in Michigan. Critics argue that these changes could compromise election security and increase the administrative burden on state and local officials.
These new laws represent a significant step by Michigan Democrats, who have gained full control of the state government for the first time in 40 years, in shaping the state’s approach to elections and voter rights.