Lansing, Michigan – On April 18, 2025, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers unanimously approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and voting in the state.
The decision, made in Lansing, Michigan, marks a significant step toward potentially reshaping the state’s voting laws, with the amendment now cleared for a petition drive to secure a spot on the November 2026 ballot. This move has sparked debate over election integrity, voter access, and the balance between securing elections and ensuring eligible citizens can exercise their right to vote.
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers, a bipartisan panel composed of two Democrats and two Republicans, voted unanimously to approve the 96-word summary language and form of the proposed amendment.
The board’s chair, Richard Houskamp, noted that the finalized language effectively captured the proposal’s intent after over four hours of deliberation and revisions. The amendment is sponsored by the Committee to Protect Voters’ Rights, a group advocating for stricter election laws to prevent noncitizen voting.
The approval took place during a meeting on April 18, 2025, at the Board of State Canvassers’ office in Lansing, Michigan. The board’s decision followed extensive discussions about the proposal’s language, ensuring it accurately reflected the amendment’s provisions while remaining impartial. The unanimous vote cleared the way for the Committee to Protect Voters’ Rights to begin collecting signatures to place the measure on the ballot.
The amendment’s supporters, including Republican lawmakers and the Committee to Protect Voters’ Rights, argue that requiring proof of citizenship—such as a birth certificate, passport, or other verifying document—is essential to safeguard Michigan’s elections.
They point to rare instances of noncitizen voting, such as a case involving a Chinese citizen at the University of Michigan who allegedly voted in the 2024 election, as evidence of vulnerabilities in the current system. Proponents claim the measure will close loopholes, prevent voter fraud, and ensure only U.S. citizens participate in elections, thereby preserving the integrity of the democratic process.
Fred Wszolek, a spokesperson for the Committee to Protect Voters’ Rights, emphasized that the amendment aims to “prove citizenship and prove identity,” citing successful implementations in states like Georgia and Florida as models. Supporters also highlight provisions in the amendment that would allow the state to cover costs for obtaining necessary documents, addressing concerns about financial barriers.
Critics, including Democrats, voting rights advocates, and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, argue that the amendment addresses a largely nonexistent problem and risks disenfranchising eligible voters.
They note that noncitizen voting is extremely rare, with only 15 probable cases identified in Michigan’s 2024 election out of over 5.7 million ballots cast.
Opponents, such as Mariah Bryant and Mark Brewer, a former Michigan Democratic Party chairman, contend that the requirement could disproportionately harm groups like married women with name changes, people experiencing homelessness, or low-income individuals who lack easy access to documentation. Critics also argue that eliminating the affidavit option for voters without photo IDs and requiring proof of citizenship within six days for certain ballots adds unnecessary burdens to the voting process.
The proposed amendment includes several significant changes to Michigan’s voting laws:
- Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration: Individuals must present a birth certificate, passport, or other approved document to verify U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.
- Elimination of Affidavit Option: Voters without photo IDs can no longer sign an affidavit to vote, a practice currently allowed at polling places.
- Photo ID for Absentee Ballots: Voters must provide a photo ID, driver’s license, or partial Social Security number to receive or cast an absentee ballot.
- Voter Roll Verification: The Michigan Secretary of State would be required to review voter rolls using government records to verify citizenship and remove noncitizens.
- Post-Election Verification: Ballots cast without citizenship documents or photo IDs would not be counted unless voters provide the required documents within six days after the election.
- Hardship Program: The state would fund a program to help voters obtain necessary documents at no cost, addressing accessibility concerns.
When Will It Go Into Effect?
The amendment is not yet in effect and requires further steps to become law. The Committee to Protect Voters’ Rights must collect over 445,000 valid signatures from Michigan voters to place the measure on the November 2026 ballot.
If voters approve the amendment in 2026, it would amend the Michigan Constitution and take effect 45 days after the election, likely in early 2027. Alternatively, the state legislature could adopt the amendment with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, bypassing the ballot, though this is considered unlikely given partisan divides.
The amendment’s approval comes amid heightened national attention to voter ID and citizenship requirements, fueled by Republican-led efforts like the federal Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which passed the U.S. House in April 2025. Michigan’s proposal aligns with these efforts but faces legal and practical challenges.
Voting rights groups, such as Promote the Vote, argue that the amendment could violate federal laws like the National Voter Registration Act, which prohibits excessive barriers to voter registration. Additionally, the amendment’s requirements may conflict with Michigan’s recent voting rights expansions, approved by voters in 2018 and 2022, which aimed to make voting more accessible.
The debate is likely to intensify as the petition drive begins and the 2026 election approaches. Michigan’s ballot is already shaping up to be crowded, with races for governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and a U.S. Senate seat, alongside another proposed constitutional convention question. The amendment’s outcome could significantly influence the state’s electoral landscape and set a precedent for other states.
Other States with Similar Laws
Several states have implemented or proposed laws requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, though the specifics vary:
- Wyoming: In March 2025, Wyoming became the first state to pass legislation requiring proof of citizenship to vote, hailed by its Republican Secretary of State as a landmark for election integrity.
- Kansas: Kansas has a proof-of-citizenship law for voter registration, requiring documents like a birth certificate or passport. However, federal courts have partially blocked its enforcement for voters using federal registration forms, citing conflicts with the National Voter Registration Act.
- Arizona: Arizona requires proof of citizenship for state elections but not for federal elections, following a 2013 Supreme Court ruling. Voters without proof can use a federal form to vote in federal races.
- Georgia: Georgia’s voter ID laws include citizenship verification through database checks, though it does not mandate physical documents like a passport for registration. The state’s system has been cited as a model by Michigan’s amendment supporters.
- Alabama: Alabama requires proof of citizenship for voter registration, typically through a driver’s license or other state-issued ID linked to citizenship records.
Other states, such as Florida and Texas, have stringent voter ID laws but rely on database verification or attestation rather than mandatory physical proof of citizenship. Efforts to impose proof-of-citizenship requirements are ongoing in states like Ohio and Missouri, often driven by Republican-led legislatures, but face legal challenges from voting rights groups.
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers’ approval of the proof-of-citizenship amendment sets the stage for a contentious battle over the future of voting in the state. While supporters view it as a critical safeguard against voter fraud, opponents warn it could disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters, particularly those already marginalized.
As the petition drive begins and the 2026 election looms, Michigan’s decision could influence national debates over election integrity and access. Whether the amendment becomes law will depend on the will of Michigan voters and the legal hurdles it may face.
Leave a Reply