Whereas, The tremendous uptick in absentee voting demonstrated that our election laws are inadequate to protect the integrity and legitimacy of the election. Because substantial absentee voting is likely the new reality, proper changes to our election laws must be made to ensure citizens can be confident in future election results. Looking to best practices across other states, we must institute proper early processing of absentee ballots, update and clean up the Qualified Voter File, and ensure proper verification of voter identity that does not impede the right to vote, among other potential changes; and
Whereas, Ongoing robust legislative oversight through committee work and other means are rightly reviewing the November 2020 election and our election processes. Legislative oversight is an important tool that can be utilized to reveal fraud, vulnerabilities, and irregularities; dispel myths and rumors; and inform policy changes that should be made to our election system; and
Whereas, Both the Senate Oversight Committee and the House Oversight Committee have met numerous times and continue to meet to hear concerns and review information related to Michigan’s elections. The committees have heard testimony from concerned citizens, poll challengers, county clerks, and other parties, and that testimony has already revealed potential election reforms to consider. The committees have also issued multiple subpoenas to collect documents and information, which help inform their work; and
Whereas, In addition to legislative oversight, continued prosecutorial review of many items regarding the November 2020 election is warranted. Allegations of fraud and irregularities, such as deceased persons voting, mismatched signatures on absentee ballots, error-prone voting equipment, and other things demand a thorough prosecutorial investigation. Additionally, knowingly false accusations and the propagation of rumors designed to create mistrust and deceive the public should be exposed and prosecuted to the maximum extent possible. Such investigations are particularly suited to root out violations of the law and highlight prudent reforms and function to maintain a heritage of peaceful transitions of power and of solving our differences and disputes through the political process rather than through violence or tyranny; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we call for a continued commitment to investigating allegations of fraud and irregularities in our elections, to considering and implementing reforms to improve our elections and audit processes, and to restoring citizens’ faith in the accuracy and integrity of elections in Michigan.
Pending the order that, under rule 3.204, the concurrent resolution be referred to the Committee on Government Operations,
Senator MacGregor moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The question being on the adoption of the concurrent resolution,
Senator MacGregor requested the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.
The concurrent resolution was adopted, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: