Wayne County Commission opposes documentary proof-of-citizenship measures, cites risk of disenfranchisement

The Wayne County Commission on March 19 adopted a resolution opposing any ballot proposal or legislative effort that would require documentary proof of citizenship to register or vote, saying such measures would place unnecessary burdens on eligible Michigan voters.

Commissioner Tim Killeen introduced the resolution and asked the commission to move quickly to oppose the measures, noting that a coalition of nonpartisan voter‑protection groups had urged the county to act. Lynn Pierce of the League of Women Voters of Wayne County told commissioners the measure would impose new documentation requirements — birth certificate, passport or naturalization papers — that many low‑income and older voters may not have and that clerks would face substantial added workloads.

"These requirements place an added burden on low income and older voters," Pierce said, urging commissioners to vote in favor of the resolution. "In Wayne County, there's 43 municipal clerks. Every one of them is committed to conducting safe, secure elections." (Lynn Pierce, League of Women Voters)

Commissioners of both parties described the proposed changes as unnecessary and potentially disenfranchising. Commissioner Baker McCormick said the requirements could prevent people who have changed their names — particularly married women using a hyphenated name — from casting ballots. Commissioner Kinlock and others characterized the campaign as part of a broader effort to discredit and restrict access to the ballot that began after 2020.

Supporters of the resolution cited national research and local election officials in arguing that widespread noncitizen voting is not a demonstrated problem. Commissioner Killeen referenced national reports that found extremely rare instances of noncitizen ballots among billions cast and said the proposed fix would create more harm than it solves.

After discussion, the commission opened the resolution for cosponsors and voted; the motion carried. Public commenters and emailed testimonials read into the record urged the commission to oppose documentary proof‑of‑citizenship proposals, saying they would disproportionately affect seniors, veterans, women who changed their names and low‑income voters.

The commission asked staff to note cosponsors and to keep the board informed of related developments in Lansing and at the federal level. The resolution does not itself change election procedures; it expresses the county's opposition and asks state and federal policymakers to avoid imposing documentary proof requirements.

What’s next: The commission opened the measure for cosponsors and will monitor any petition or legislative activity; commissioners said they would continue public outreach to explain the potential effects of such requirements.