Michigan election officials defend CAC‑signed electronic ballot return for UOCAVA voters amid security and scope concerns

The Michigan Department of State told the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules on Thursday that rules to allow eligible uniformed and overseas voters to electronically return ballots will rely on the Department of Defense Common Access Card and meet state and DTMB security standards; lawmakers and outside witnesses raised security and scope concerns.

Erin Shore, legislative policy director with the Michigan Department of State, said Public Acts 196 and 197 of 2022 require the department to promulgate rules to permit eligible members of the uniformed services and merchant marine who are outside the United States to return voted ballots electronically beginning Sept. 1, 2025. "Beginning September 1 of 2025, eligible members of the military may choose to electronically return a voted ballot to their city or township clerk," Shore said.

Adam Fricasse, deputy director of the Bureau of Elections, told the committee the rules implement two pieces: electronic delivery of a ballot and electronic return of a voted ballot. Under the rules as presented, the electronic return requires a voter to use a Department of Defense verified electronic signature—commonly the CAC—and the…