Since 2018, when a ballot proposal overwhelmingly was passed by voters that gave way to no-reason absentee voting, the number of voters utilizing this tool has skyrocketed. In 2020, 60% of voters chose to use absentee ballots during the pandemic, and even this year during the 2022 primary election, 50% of voters voted absentee.
There has been bi-partisan support of clerks and election officials to allow additional time to process absentee ballots, prior to election day, as a part of common-sense election reform. Additionally, there is a significant increase in unrest and disinformation that runs rampant while voters wait past Election Day for results.
The MI Secretary of State office over the past few years has made significant progress in accessibility to Michiganders through programs like ‘Advancing the Vote, Protecting Democracy’, however, that work is not done. There are still many challenges for people with disabilities, people with language barriers, and transportation barriers that need to be addressed. Building upon and expanding the programs and options available to our communities when it comes to accessibility to IDs, election drop boxes, translators, and more.
These accessibility issues affect everyday life as well as our elections. This is likely to increase public participation in our governmental process, while also ensuring that each person has access to the tools needed to thrive.
The SoS offices have put in place many digital tools to increase transparency to the public, including informational videos about elections processes, streaming board of canvassers meetings online, translating services, social media communications, and more. The digital access is able to reach many more Michiganders throughout the state.
It seems there may still be opportunity for building awareness to citizens throughout the state of these tools and services, as well as finding new ways to reach those without access to the internet.
We are asking candidates for Congress and many state offices about their positions on important pro-democracy reforms — and if elected, we’ll hold them accountable to their answers.
No single solution will solve all the challenges our democracy faces, but this comprehensive agenda helps policy makers and voters know there are concrete steps we can take and proven solutions we can pass to make our government work for everyone.
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