http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/07/rick_snyder_vetoes_voter_fraud.phpMichigan’s Gov. Rick Snyder (R) has vetoed a set of bills passed by his state’s Republican-controlled legislature, which aimed to crack down on alleged voter fraud. Snyder said in voiding the measures that they could cause confusion among voters.
One measure would have required voters to reaffirm that they are U.S. citizens, and would have instituted photo-ID requirements for voters receiving an absentee ballot at a local government office. Another would have required training for people, companies and organizations participating in voter registration. The Grand Rapids Press reports that Republicans in the legislature argued that the measures were needed to combat voter fraud, while Democrats charged that the bills would unfairly target poor, minority and elderly people who favor the Democratic Party.
In his veto message, Snyder criticized the bills’ own mechanisms as confusing — that if a voter failed to check a specific citizenship box on their application, they would still be given a ballot, but it would not be counted unless they came back to affirm their eligibility.
considering Michigan is being called a swing state for the presidential elections they'd better hope they get this right. the part he mentions does seem a bit unnecessarily complicated with the recommendation he gives:
Enrolled Senate Bill 803 requires voters to affirm their citizenship by checking a box before their ballot is counted. I am concerned that Enrolled Senate Bill 803 could create voter confusion among absentee voters. I appreciate the issue of ensuring that voters are properly qualified including the requirement that they are US citizens. An alternative would be to simply include US citizen in the voter’s opening declarative statement on the application.
a checkbox vs a simple declaration..... the former is just asking for confusion afterwards when it comes out that eligible votes weren't counted because of an oversight. it'd be butterfly ballots and hanging chads all over again.
