June 5, 2014

MOVE Compliance Report Coming Soon!

With preparations for the August election underway, we would like to remind you of the upcoming June 21st delivery requirement for sending ballots to Military or Overseas Civilian voters and the requirement for you to complete the MOVE compliance report by June 24th.  The State of Michigan must make this information available to the United States Department of Justice right after the June 21st deadline.  Ballots sent after the deadline will result in a legal requirement that you extend the ballot receipt deadline for any affected voters, possibly delaying your canvass and certification process.

By law, every jurisdiction is required to report to the Bureau of Elections if they received any Military or Overseas Civilian voter ballot requests by June 21; and a confirmation of whether each ballot requested was sent by the statutory deadline.  You must complete the online MOVE Reporting Form even if you had zero ballot requests from Military or Overseas Civilians for every election your voters are eligible to vote. 

While this MOVE compliance report is not yet available for your completion, we want to begin emphasizing NOW the importance of meeting these statutory requirements in just a few weeks!  You will continue to see additional reminders as we approach the June 21 deadline.  This required assignment will be completed within the Elections eLearning Center. Instructions on completing the MOVE compliance report will be available the week prior to the deadlne.  This report can only be submitted after the June 21st deadline. 

2014 Election Planning – Reviewing the Basics

This article is the third of a series of articles designed to assist in the preparation of training programs and other related planning for the upcoming August and November elections.

Processing Voters – Federal ID Requirement 

While Michigan requires all voters to be asked to show photo identification or sign an affidavit of voter not in possession of photo ID, the federal government requires a voter to show some form of identification the very first time they vote in the State of Michigan.  Often times this requirement is met through QVF matching the driver’s license or social security number with either the driver’s license or social security number database.  But occasionally, a voter may appear at the polls with the designation “Must show ID before voting (federal requirement)” in the ePollbook or “ID” on the precinct list.  A voter with that designation must:

1. Show one of the acceptable forms of photo ID OR
2. Show a paycheck stub, utility bill, bank statement or a government document which lists the voter’s name and address AND sign the affidavit of voter not in possession of photo ID (to meet the Michigan ID requirement)

If the voter is unable to complete one of the above steps, an envelope ballot must be issued to the voter.  The voter will then have 6 days after the election to bring the Clerk one of the pieces of identification acceptable to meet the federal ID requirement. 

Important tips to remember if issuing an envelope ballot:

• Envelope ballots must be identified by preparing them as a challenged ballot
• The voter must be provided with a notice on where to find the Clerk to bring proper ID
• The 4-step procedure form is not required in this instance

For full instructions, refer to pages 23 & 24 of the Election Inspector Training Manual and the Photo Identification at the Polls Chart.

IN THIS ISSUE

• MOVE Compliance Report
• Election Planning - Federal ID Requirement
• 3rd Party Voter Registration Mailings

Voter Participation Center & the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Mailings

The Bureau of Elections has received word from the Voter Participation Center (VPC) & the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (LCVEF) that they will be mass mailing voter registration forms to possible unregistered voters across the State. When completed by a voter, these forms will be returned to the BOE and we will filter them to the appropriate local Clerk.

Be advised, beyond approval of the voter registration form, the BOE does not have any other affiliation to this project or the organizations.

If a voter has questions regarding how VPC or LCVEF obtained their non-registration or registration information or if they wish to remove their name from the organization’s list, direct them to VPC via email info@thevoterparticipationcenter.org or telephone: 202-659-9570 or to LCVEF at remove@lcvef.org.  See the logos above as they are on these mailings and may help you when communicating with your voters.

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