Granholm Signs Legislation Protecting Right to Vote for Michigan Citizens Abroad

New laws make it easier for armed forces, citizens out of the country to vote
 
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation that protects the rights of Michigan voters who are out of the country to participate in Michigan elections.  The new laws allow voters abroad to receive their absentee ballots via electronic mail and also standardize and increase the time prior to an election that absentee ballots are available to county clerks.
 
"Our armed forces serve to protect our democracy," Granholm said.  "The least we can do is reform our absentee voting procedures to allow them to participate in our democracy at home by ensuring absentee ballots are sent in time to count on Election Day.  These new laws help our military and Michigan citizens living or working outside the country to have their voices heard."
 
While voters abroad have had the right to vote absentee, mail delays and short deadlines have made it difficult for many to exercise that right.  Prior to the new laws, ballots could be only mailed to voters out of the country, which meant that mail delays often prevented valid ballots from being cast.  The new laws require county clerks to deliver absentee ballots to local clerks at least 47 days before all elections and also allow for ballots to be transmitted to voters abroad via electronic mail.
 
The bills signed today are House Bill 5279, sponsored by State Representative Vincent Gregory (D-Southfield), and House Bill 5530, sponsored by State Representative Jennifer Haase (D-Richmond).  Both bills passed the House and Senate with no dissenting votes.  HB 5530 is effective immediately, and HB 5279 will take effect June 1, 2010.