Senators Hollier and Johnson asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Hollier’s statement is as follows:
Colleagues, we all voted to pass this bill with the substitute language, which would just include spouses and dependents. As you all know, and especially those who serve in the military understand, when you sign up like I did, it is not just you who serves in the military, but your entire family. I believe that we should include our entire family—spouses and dependents—in that protection when they are deployed overseas to ensure that they can cast their ballots on time and not miss the opportunity to vote. This is a very simple decision. Do you want spouses and dependents to be able to operate and get their votes cast the same way anyone else does? And being—serving overseas doing those types of things can diminish or degrade their ability to do that. It’s critically important and right now you have the decision. Do you want spouses and dependents to be able to vote when they are deployed serving our country?
Senator Johnson’s statement is as follows:
I rise in to speak in opposition to the amendment. The amendment strips out the need of a CAC card, which is called a Common Access Card that will provide integrity in our system of voting by people that are serving our country. Additionally, spouses and dependents are not in foxholes, or on military ships, or in barracks. Again, I request a “no” vote on this amendment.
Senator Lauwers moved to reconsider the vote by which the following bill was passed:
Senate Bill No. 277, entitled
A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled “Michigan election law,” by amending sections 509o and 510 (MCL 168.509o and 168.510), section 509o as amended by 2018 PA 126.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: