Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a series of bipartisan bills into law, significantly broadening voter access in the state. These changes stem from the voter-approved Proposal 2 and introduce several key improvements to the voting process.

Among the most notable changes is the implementation of early voting for at least nine days prior to all federal and statewide elections. This provides voters with greater flexibility and convenience in casting their ballots. The legislation also mandates the creation of an online portal where voters can track the status of their ballots, ensuring transparency and peace of mind.

Further enhancing accessibility, voters now have the option to correct minor errors on their ballots. Additionally, a wider range of identification documents are now accepted at polling places, including U.S. passports, tribal photo ID cards, military ID cards, and student ID cards. These changes aim to remove barriers and simplify the voting process for all eligible citizens.

The new laws also address absentee voting, a key component of Proposal 2. The state will now fund absentee ballot drop boxes, ensuring secure and accessible locations for ballot submission. Furthermore, postage for absentee ballots and applications will be covered by the state, eliminating a potential cost barrier for voters. Voters can also opt-in to a permanent absentee ballot list, automatically receiving ballots for every election.

Each municipality in Michigan will be required to provide at least one secure drop box for absentee ballots, with larger municipalities needing one for every 15,000 registered voters. This measure aims to ensure convenient and secure access to ballot drop-off locations across the state.

Governor Whitmer celebrated the signing of these bills, emphasizing the importance of voting in a democratic society and highlighting the bipartisan support for these changes. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude for the collaborative effort and readiness to implement the new laws effectively for upcoming elections.