ACLU Reminds Clerks That ID Isn't Needed to Vote in Michigan

Voters without a photo ID just need to complete this short form at their polling place. (Photo from Michigan Secretary of State)

 

As the Nov. 8 election approaches, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, the  Michigan State Conference NAACP and the Brennan Center for Justice, have jointly sent  a letter to  269 city clerks statewide urging them to post accurate information at voting sites, including the fact that an ID is not required to vote.

In a statement, the ACLU says:

Under Michigan law, those individuals who bring picture ID with them to the polls are required to show their ID before voting. However, registered voters can cast ballots without picture ID if they don’t have ID or failed to bring it with them to the polls. The only requirement is that they sign a simple affidavit form available at each polling location.

“Every election, we hear horror stories about clerks putting up signs falsely telling voters that they can’t vote without photo ID,” said Michael J. Steinberg, Legal Director of the ACLU of Michigan. “This year, we felt it was critical that we be proactive and make sure that no voters were prevented or deterred from exercising their fundamental right to vote based on misinformation.”

The letter urges that city clerks use this notice about voter identification from the Secretary of State.