Bill Text: MI SR0046 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the United States Congress and the President of the United States to exempt absent voter ballots used in a federal election from the requirement of postage when using the United States Postal Service.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-04-29 - Referred To Committee On Elections [SR0046 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-SR0046-Introduced.html
senate resolution no.46
Senator Stamas offered the following resolution:
Whereas, The right of citizens to participate in free and fair elections is the cornerstone of our constitutional republic and our state, inscribed in and safeguarded by the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Michigan of 1963; and
Whereas, Access to and participation in the election process should be equally protected and provided to all citizens, regardless of geographic location, financial status, or any other immutable characteristic prohibited from discrimination by our legal system, established on the natural law principal that equality under the law is undeniable; and
Whereas, Procedural uniformity and predictability are paramount in conducting a secure, fair, and efficient election in the state of Michigan, as village, city, township, and county clerks are expected to work together to ensure that access to and the integrity of the system remain intact; and
Whereas, 3.3 million absent voter ballots were cast in Michigan during the 2020 general election, but those citizens who chose to mail their ballots were not treated equally, as some were provided a pre-paid postage return envelope and others had to obtain postage themselves; and
Whereas, The federal Postage Regulatory Commission and the process to establish postage rates were created by an act of Congress. An act of Congress to provide an exemption for absentee ballots from postage requirements would make it unambiguous and protected from the actions of unelected bureaucrats; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the United States Congress and the President of the United States to exempt absent voter ballots used in a federal election from the requirement of postage when using the United States Postal Service; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
