East Michigan News

Even though polls show only 14% of Michiganders oppose requiring voter identification, dark money groups continue to pour funds into opposing an identification requirement.

A group called Secure Michigan Vote is working to advance a ballot proposal that would initiate legislation to require identification in order to vote, known as "voter ID." They are opposed by a group called Promote the Vote, largely funded by out-of-state entities.

"It is telling that only 14% of Michiganders oppose voter ID requirements, and that the opponents of strengthening our elections are relying on out-of-state funding," Chris Arp, president of Americans for Citizen Voting, told East Michigan News. "Michiganders want voter ID."

A statewide survey conducted in January showed that only 14% of Michiganders oppose strengthening voter ID requirements. A supermajority, 76%, of Michiganders support showing an ID in order to vote.           

"Protect MI Vote" is an initiative led by a group who is in opposition to the Republican-led ballot measure "Secure MI Vote," a recent report from Bridge Michigan said. The group recently hired a Missouri-based consulting firm to contract with and “secretly buy out” circulators so they would not work for the conservative campaign.

“Protect MI Vote’s scheme to pay off circulators not to engage in the Secure MI Vote Initiative Petition is deplorable on its face and has no place in Michigan elections,” professional signature gatherer Dustin Wefel said in a complaint that was first reported by The Detroit News, the Bridge Michigan report said. Wefel's complaint was filed in early May.

“Protect MI Vote is only protecting the right to cheat," Secure MI Vote spokesperson Jamie Roe said in the report. "We have long heard rumors of  Protect MI Vote’s illegal scheme, but could not prove it until Dustin Wefel bravely came forward to expose it."

Voters currently do not need to show a photo ID to register to vote, the Michigan Secretary of State's office said. A utility bill qualifies as a form of ID.

Michiganders can learn more about Secure Michigan Vote and sign up to receive a petition at securemivote.org.