Michigan residents could face Proof-of-Citizenship voting requirement under proposed GOP resolution

Republican state lawmakers have introduced a joint resolution to amend the Michigan Constitution, requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration.

The proposal, introduced in January 2025, would mandate that individuals registering to vote after December 18, 2026, verify their U.S. citizenship through the secretary of state’s office or by providing documentation such as a passport or birth certificate during registration.

The effort aligns with a broader push by congressional Republicans, who last month pledged to fast-track the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. The proposed federal legislation would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which currently requires states to offer voter registration when residents obtain a driver’s license. If passed, the SAVE Act would require all Americans to provide proof of citizenship every time they register or re-register to vote.

“If the SAVE Act becomes law, Michigan voters would have to comply with documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements to register and cast ballots in federal elections,” said Angela Benander, chief communications officer for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

The Michigan resolution, if approved, could impose similar requirements at the state level.

“The SAVE Act would make administering elections more expensive, complicated, and confusing,” Benander said. “Clerks would have to establish and maintain separate lists of eligible registered voters, ballots, and registration applications.”

Concerned voters have taken to social media and spoken at community gatherings regarding their misgivings about the SAVE Act. Watershed Voice also received a letter to the editor this week highlighting worries about the potential impact of the legislation.

“They are trying to solve a problem that does not exist,” Naomi Ludman, chair of the Cass County Democratic Party, told Watershed Voice. “There is no incentive for non-citizens to vote.”

Ludman also raised concerns that the legislation could disproportionately impact women, particularly those who have changed their names due to marriage.

“My birth certificate does not have my married name on it, so it won’t match what’s on my passport,” she said.

She also noted the financial burden the requirement could place on low-income citizens, particularly people of color, who may struggle to obtain necessary documents.

“When you start putting a cost to finding a document — many low-income individuals, who often move frequently, may lose important paperwork,” Ludman said. “Replacing them is expensive, and this ultimately creates a burden on eligible voters.”

U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R), who represents Michigan’s 5th congressional district, made inflammatory comments regarding the ramifications of the SAVE Act during a community gathering in Bedford Township (Monroe County) earlier this month, according to a report from WLNS-TV 6:

Benson is scheduled to hold a press conference today in Lansing to address the SAVE Act and Michigan’s proposed resolution.

“If lawmakers are truly interested in solutions that will improve the security of the system, there are ways to do that without threatening the voting rights of eligible citizens,” Benander said.

Najifa Farhat is a staff reporter for Watershed Voice.