Grand Rapids Reporter

As the November election approaches, election integrity advocates are sounding the alarm, while organizers behind a ballot initiative are mounting a push. Local political activist Kenneth Thompson says the Promote the Vote ballot initiative would weaken Michigan election law and is opposed by a supermajority of Michiganders from across the political spectrum.

Detroit Free Press reports that the Board of State Canvassers, a bipartisan committee, is meeting Aug. 31 to vote on whether initiative organizers collected the minimum 425,059 signatures needed to secure a place on the ballot for the November election. 

Promote the Vote is a Democrat-led group and is funded by out-of-state, and even international sources, including billionaire George Soros, Politico reports.

"Michiganders overwhelmingly support Voter ID and strengthening our elections. Yet, Promote the Vote is doing everything it can to undermine these principles. We must stand up to this dark-money, extremist group that is hiding behind false claims and rhetoric." Thompson said.

A vast majority of funding for Promote the Vote came from the American Civil Liberties Union, about 86%, according to Bridge MI. ACLU has a history of being funded by Democrat billionaire George Soros' Open Society Foundations.

According to Campaign Finance Contribution data from the Michigan Secretary of State's office, Promote the Vote received $2,597,768.06 from the ACLU.

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

A supermajority, or 75%, of Michiganders support showing an ID in order to vote, Great Lakes Wire reports.

Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently vetoed Republican-led efforts to secure Michigan elections, including Voter ID.