The Michigan House has passed HB 4765, a bill that would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote.The bill now moves to the Michigan Senate and has not yet become law.
These kinds of proposals are presented as common-sense enforcement. In practice, they could block over 700,000 Michigan citizens from registering and voting.
There is still an opportunity to influence what happens next.
What This Means
This bill would require documentary proof of citizenship, meaning voters would need to provide specific documents such as a passport or birth certificate in order to register.
Approximately 60% of Michigan residents, over 5.8 million people, do not have a passport. For many, obtaining the required documents can be costly and time-consuming. A passport costs $165 and can take 4–6 weeks to process, and birth certificates can cost more than $30.
National estimates suggest that around 1 in 10 adult citizens do not have ready access to citizenship documents. Applied to Michigan, that means hundreds of thousands of eligible voters lack the documents required under this proposal.
Why This Matters
Barriers at the registration stage prevent people from voting at all.
These requirements would also make it harder to register online or by mail and would limit community-based registration efforts that help people sign up at schools, community centers, and public events.
Michigan voters have already acted to protect access to voting in the state Constitution. This proposal would roll back those protections by adding new requirements that make participation harder.
What We’re Seeing
A small group of elected officials, backed by well-funded national interests, are advancing policies that would change who is able to participate in elections.
Take Action
Contact your State Senator and tell them this proposal would create barriers to voter registration and prevent eligible Michigan citizens from participating.
Find your State Senator:
senate.michigan.gov
or call: (517) 373-2400
The post HB 4765 Passes Michigan House — What Comes Next and Ways to Get Involved appeared first on Voting Access For All.