Lansing, Michigan — The Republican-controlled Michigan House passed a voter identification bill Tuesday along party lines, advancing new requirements for proof of citizenship and identification in elections.
House Bill 4765, sponsored by Rep. Jason Woolford, would require individuals to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote and present identification when casting ballots. All Republicans voted in favor of the measure, while all Democrats opposed it.
Supporters argue the bill strengthens election security. Woolford said the legislation ensures “only U.S. citizens are voting” and adds protections against interference, despite existing laws already restricting voting to citizens.
Democrats and advocacy groups raised concerns that the proposal could make voting more difficult. Critics pointed to unclear standards for acceptable identification and potential burdens on voters who may need additional documents such as birth certificates or passports.
Data cited in the debate showed relatively few cases of suspected noncitizen voting. A state review found 15 flagged cases out of 5.7 million ballots cast, according to the Michigan Department of State.
The bill follows broader Republican efforts nationwide to tighten voting requirements and mirrors a proposed ballot measure that could appear before Michigan voters in 2026.
The legislation now heads to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain.
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