Bill Would Increase Penalty For Voter Fraud

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State Representative Pauline Wendzel has introduced legislation intended to increase the security of elections as absentee voting this year will hit record numbers in Michigan. Wendzel tells WSJM News her bill would make it a felony for an individual to knowingly submit an absentee voter application using another person’s name or personal information. The plan would also make it felony to complete applications with the intent to receive multiple ballots. She tells us her office has received complaints.

“Almost daily now, we’re hearing from constituents that are still in the district or people who have moved out of the district,” Wendzel said. “Recently I heard from somebody in Florida. They’ve been down there for twelve years, and at their former residence, the person living there now received an application for their ballots when they’ve been registered in Florida for twelve years. So it’s pretty alarming, all of the complaints and people making us aware of how easy it would be for people to commit voter fraud.”

Wendzel says her bill would give some teeth to laws against committing voter fraud. Right now, she says the offense is only a misdemeanor. Wendzel teamed up with state Representative Ann Bollin of Livingston County, a former longtime clerk, for the legislation.