Michigan canvassers approve 100-word summary for citizenship-verification amendment after hours of debate

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers approved a revised 100-word ballot summary on May 16, 2025, for a proposed constitutional amendment that would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for some voter-registration and absentee-voting processes and direct the secretary of state to verify citizenship in the state’s voter rolls.

The deputy director of elections, speaking for Director Breeder (who is on leave), read the board’s draft summary into the record. “Constitutional amendment to add requirement to verify citizenship by showing birth certificate, passport, and or other documents for voter registration, eliminate affidavit alternative for those without photo ID when voting, add requirement to provide photo ID or driver's license or partial Social Security number to receive or vote absentee, require secretary of state to review voter rolls to verify citizens and remove noncitizens using documents in government records, prohibit counting ballots from voters whose citizenship hasn't been verified unless voters show documents to secretary within 6 days post election, require hardship program for obtaining required documents at state expense, subject violations to civil criminal penalties,” the deputy director read verbatim during the meeting.

Supporters of the amendment, representing the sponsor Americans for Citizen Voting — Michigan, said the draft summary…