Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson opposes Michigan House Joint Resolution B, warning it could disenfranchise eligible voters while lawmakers push for stricter ID laws.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson Condemns Proposed Voting Restrictions
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson strongly opposes House Joint Resolution B (HJR B), a proposed constitutional amendment that would impose new voter verification requirements and potentially disenfranchise thousands of eligible Michigan voters.
Benson issued a statement Wednesday condemning the measure, calling it a veiled attack on voting rights.
“The politicians pushing this plan are taking something we all believe and know is true—that only U.S. citizens should vote in our elections—and using that as cover to gut Michiganders’ voting rights in our state constitution,” Benson said.
HJR B Seeks to Tighten Voter ID and Citizenship Verification
House Joint Resolution B, introduced by a coalition of Republican lawmakers, aims to amend Michigan’s Constitution of 1963 by adding strict voter ID and citizenship verification requirements. The measure would require proof of U.S. citizenship at the time of voter registration and authorize the Secretary of State to conduct ongoing systematic citizenship checks in the statewide voter file.
State Rep. Bryan Posthumus was one of the sponsors of the resolution to amend the state constitution to ensure that only U.S. citizens are able to vote and to protect against voter fraud.
“This is a no-brainer. Only U.S. citizens should vote in our elections,” said Posthumus, R-Rockford. “And people should have to show ID when voting to prove that they are who they say they are. That’s just common sense.”
The amendment would also require the state to provide free photo ID to citizens who experience financial hardship.
“That’s the only reasonable argument against requiring photo ID to vote – opponents say that some people can’t get it,” Posthumus said. “That’s ridiculous, because to function as an adult in our society today you need ID, but just to make sure that isn’t a stumbling block, the state will have to provide photo ID for free to people who cannot afford it. Problem solved.”
Under the proposal, the Secretary of State would be required to remove voters from the rolls if they fail to verify their citizenship within 60 days of being notified. Additionally, the amendment would prohibit non-citizens from registering or voting in any Michigan election.
The resolution, backed by over 30 Republican legislators, has been referred to the Committee on Election Integrity for further debate.
Benson Calls the Proposal Unconstitutional and Unnecessary
Benson argued that similar measures in other states have led to legal challenges, disenfranchisement, and dual systems of voter access.
“This is a failed policy that has already been tried in other states,” Benson said. “In those states, it has either been overturned by the courts for being blatantly unconstitutional, created a separate and unequal system of voting access for citizens, or blocked tens of thousands of eligible voters from casting their legal ballot in an election.”
Benson also emphasized that Michigan voters have already taken action to secure and expand voting rights. She pointed to recent ballot measures, such as Proposal 3 (2018) and Proposal 2 (2022), which added no-excuse absentee voting and same-day voter registration to the state constitution.
Republicans Defend the Measure as a Safeguard Against Fraud
Rep. Bryan Posthumus, one of the sponsors of HJR B, argues that the resolution is necessary to ensure election security and public trust.
“We need to verify that only U.S. citizens are voting in our elections,” Posthumus said. “This resolution ensures that only those who meet our constitutional requirements can cast a ballot.”
Supporters of HJR B argue that while Michigan law already bars non-citizens from voting, additional verification measures are needed to prevent potential fraud.
Voting Rights Advocates Warn of Voter Suppression
Opponents, including voting rights organizations, fear the resolution could disproportionately affect marginalized communities, seniors, and individuals lacking immediate access to citizenship documents.
“The real effect of this proposal will be to make it harder for some people to vote—people who are already legally allowed to do so,” said Nancy Wang, director of Voters Not Politicians, a nonpartisan voting rights group.
Legal experts have also raised concerns about potential litigation if the amendment passes, given similar laws have been overturned in Arizona, Georgia, and Florida.
The resolution proposes that voters must prove their U.S. citizenship to vote. Here are the key provisions:
- Citizenship Verification for New Voter Registrations:
- Starting December 18, 2026, individuals registering to vote must verify their U.S. citizenship by:
- Presenting documentary proof of citizenship at the time of registration or later.
- The Secretary of State verifying citizenship status.
- Starting December 18, 2026, individuals registering to vote must verify their U.S. citizenship by:
- Ongoing Verification Process:
- The Secretary of State must conduct a systematic review to verify the citizenship status of registered voters (except in the 90 days before a federal election).
- If a registered voter is found not to be a citizen and does not respond within 60 days to a notice, they will be removed from voter rolls.
- Impact on Voting Eligibility:
- If a voter’s citizenship is not verified before an election, they will only be allowed to vote using a provisional ballot, which will only be counted if their citizenship is confirmed within six days after the election.
- Voter ID and Registration Adjustments:
- The amendment modifies voter ID requirements, linking them to citizenship verification.
- Automatic voter registration through the Secretary of State will only occur after an individualized review of citizenship status.
This resolution establishes a mandatory process for verifying U.S. citizenship as a condition for voter registration and participation in elections.
What Comes Next for House Joint Resolution B?
If approved by the Michigan Legislature, HJR B would be placed on the 2026 ballot for voter approval, as it proposes an amendment to the state constitution. Given that Democrats currently hold the Michigan Senate and Governor, the resolution faces an uphill battle.
Benson urged lawmakers to reject the proposal and instead focus on bipartisan efforts to improve election security and voter access.
“We need to hold the line on protecting every eligible citizen’s constitutional right to cast a ballot in every election and get back to the business of working together on honest proposals to keep Michigan’s elections safe, secure, and accessible,” Benson said.
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