Clinton Twp. Clerk Finds Merit in No-Reason Absentee Voting, Online Registration

If it means more voices in the democratic process, Clinton Township Clerk Kim Meltzer said she will support Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's call for no-reason absentee voting and online voter registration.

During his State of the State address Jan. 16, Snyder announced his plans to partner with Secretary of State Ruth Johnson to urge legislation allowing Michigan citizens to register to vote online and vote absentee without a reason, such as age or disability, up to 45 days before Election Day.

Currently, there are six reasons listed on an application for an absent voter’s ballot. Voters must select one of the reasons to receive a ballot.

"People come into (the clerk's office) and don't understand why they can't give an explanation other than what is listed on the card and they have a hard time with that," Meltzer said. "They don't feel comfortable lying, obviously, so I think that is an issue we need to address."

By offering no-reason absentee voting, Shelby Township Clerk Stanley Grot has said he believes communities will be able to increase their voter participation and eliminate the anxiety voters feel when forced to wait in line or miss work.

Meltzer was hesitant to say this reform alone would increase voter participation, but voiced her support for any "venue or opportunity for peple to have a chance to vote."

"I think the most important thing is you don't want a system that disenfranchises anyone from voting," she said. "If you restrict people, it's easy to come up with excuses why you can't get out and vote."

Under the proposed no-reason absentee voting plan, registered voters would still be held to the state’s voter identification requirements. No-reason absentee voters would have to go in person to their local clerk's office up to 45 days before the election and show picture identification to receive a ballot. They could then vote the ballot there or take it home and mail it in.

Voting by mail would remain available to senior citizens and those previously permitted to vote absentee.

Should the legislature approve online voter registration, citizens would still be required to input the last four digits of their social security numbers and their driver’s license numbers. This is the same verification process used at Secretary of State branch offices.

Meltzer said she wishes to see the full parameters of this measure before supporting it outright, but is open to any reforms that make the democratic process more accessible.

As of Sept. 4, 2012, 27 states and the District of Columbia allow any qualified voter to cast an absentee ballot without an excuse, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. According to the same source, 12 states have online voter registration, with three expected to soon pass laws permitting it.