A Grand Rapids area political activist is criticizing Michigan-based Promote the Vote, which opposes an effort to require identification to vote.
According to the Michigan Secretary of State's office, Promote the Vote received $2,595,411.47 from the American Civil Liberties Union as well as funds through other out-of-state special interest groups. The ballot initiative that is being opposed would require Michigan voters to show an ID to vote. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has opposed this and last year vetoed similar passed legislation. Political activist Kenneth Thompson voiced his disapproval and laid blame on Democrats.
“I’ve been involved in grassroots politics for a long time: helping people run, promoting ballot initiatives, and being all over the campaign trail,” said Thompson. “The fact that the left is going to pump in millions of dollars of out-of-state money to stop the effort to require voter ID is a shame. Michiganders should be able to decide for themselves measures that can be taken to secure the electoral process.”
The Michigan Secretary of State’s office says that voters do not need a photo ID to register but can use things such as a utility bill.
According to greatlakeswire.com, a supermajority of 75% of Michigan residents support showing an ID in order to vote in an election. Last year Michigan Legislature passed tougher voter ID laws, but they were vetoed by Whitmer. According to a report by the Detroit News, Whitmer vetoed three bills that were passed along party lines. Whitmer said in her veto letter that the elimination of an option for voters to use an affidavit for their identity Astrid of a state ID would affect 18,000 voters. She also said it would harm communities of color.
"Voting restrictions that produce such a racially disparate impact must never become law in this state," Whitmer wrote in the veto letter.
Chris Arps is the president of Americans for Citizens Voting and said that Michigan residents would know that money sent to state groups is actually taking large donations from national political big-money organizations.
"We aren't looking at small donations from people who share similar beliefs," said Arps. "We are looking at questionably large contributions. A majority of Promote the Vote's funding is coming not from Michiganders, but from out-of-state special interest groups.”
Michigan residents can learn more about Secure Michigan Vote and sign up to receive a petition at their website: www.securemivote.com.
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