FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 21, 2019
Contact: Shawn Starkey
StarkeyS@Michigan.gov

Secretary Benson welcomes era of no-reason mail-in voting in Michigan

Convenient option available to every registered voter

No-reason mail-in voting has launched in Michigan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced today, explaining it will make voting easier for people across the state.

“If you want to fill out your ballot at home, you should be able to do so. And if you want to avoid the stress of finding time to get to the polls on Election Day, you should be able to do that, too,” Benson said. “The era of no-reason mail-in voting has begun in Michigan, and I’m excited about the potential it has to engage more of our fellow citizens in our democracy.”

She called no-reason mail-in voting a common-sense reform that can save administrative costs and headaches, increase turnout and reduce lines during elections. The reform also removes Michigan from the ranks of the relatively few states that haven’t offered voters the ability to mail-in their vote for no reason.

Benson held a news conference with Flint Township Clerk Kathy Funk at township offices on the first day registered voters can request a mail-in ballot for the May 7 election. They were joined by other local officials and two area residents – a small business owner and an employee of a business with nontraditional hours – who couldn’t previously use a mail-in ballot but now will have that convenient option in their busy lives.

On Nov. 6, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved Proposal 3, which contained many measures to make voting more accessible and secure, including a provision that allows voters to obtain a mail-in ballot without providing a reason. Before that, voters in Michigan could only request a mail-in ballot if they could meet one of six criteria as an “absent voter,” such as being 60 years or older or expecting to be out of town on Election Day.

“No-reason mail-in voting is a convenience that will help many people at election time,” Benson said. “Last November, the people of this state decided to make voting easier, and their change for the better begins today.”

Benson encouraged residents to visit Michigan.gov/Vote, where they can download a mail-in ballot application and find a wealth of election-related information.

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