Oppose HB 4765

As your constituent, I join with the American Association of University Women of Michigan (AAUWMI) to urge you to oppose HB 4765 and protect free, fair, and open state and local elections for all eligible voters in the state of Michigan. This legislation is unnecessary. In Michigan, as in every state, only U.S. citizens are eligible to register to vote or cast a ballot in any state election. There is no evidence to support claims that large numbers of noncitizens have voted in past elections or are currently registering to vote. The name of everyone who registers or votes in an election is a public record, so it would be very easy to see if noncitizens were registering or voting in large numbers. HB 4765 seeks to correct a miniscule problem by creating a much more significant problem that could potentially disqualify thousands of Michigan citizens from voting in state and local elections if they cannot produce the necessary documents to prove their citizenship. HB 4765 purports to be a voter integrity bill; in actuality, it is a voter suppression bill. Obtaining necessary documents to prove citizenship as required by HB 4765 would require time and money, and lack of one or both of these resources could prohibit a citizen from registering to vote for state and local elections. This bill would make voting more difficult for all Michigan citizens and particularly harm those who already face barriers to exercising their right to vote, including people of color, voters with disabilities, people who live in rural areas, and older voters. Married women who have changed their surnames would also be disproportionately affected by this proposed legislation since the name on their birth certificate would not match their current legal name. Please vote NO on HB 4765 so that qualified Michigan citizens can continue to exercise their fundamental right to vote. Thank you and I look forward to your response.