HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2005.02.17 - 27846Miscellaneous Resolution # 05039
BY: Commissioner Jim Nash, District #15
RE: Board of Commissioners - Support for HB 4158 to Allow for Early Voting in
Michigan
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen;
WHEREAS the United States was founded upon the principle of self-government in which
the right to vote is viewed as the most important and fundamental right of the people; and
WHEREAS one of the core democratic values of any democracy is the belief that the
citizens will have a greater satisfaction with the decisions being made by the process if they
participate in the election process; and
WHEREAS greater opportunities for voters to participate in the electoral process through
either "early voting" or "no reason" absentee voting are seen as reasonable methods to
enhance voter participation; and
WHEREAS it was reported in 2004, that 31 states already offer voters the chance to cast
ballots in person two weeks or more before Election Day, or the ability to get mail-in
absentee ballots without having to offer a reason; and
WHEREAS the number of people taking advantage of the early voting option in the 2004
Election was up substantially. Preliminary figures compiled by the National Association of
Secretaries of State show early voting was especially popular in Florida, where more than
2 million people voted early, up from about 720,000 four years ago; and
WHEREAS House Bill 4158 proposes to amend Public Act 116 of 1954, to permit Early
Voting beginning 14 days before each election and ending on the day before the election;
and
WHEREAS House Bill 4158 proposes that every city, village and township provide an Early
Voting polling place as designated by their local clerk.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
hereby supports the concept of House Bill 4158 and urges the Michigan State Legislature
to adopt legislation that provides for early voting beginning 14 days before each election
in Michigan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners urges the
Michigan State Legislature to adopt legislation that permits "no reason" absentee voting
in Michigan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk forward copies of this
adopted resolution to Governor Jennifer Granholm, the House Committee on House
Oversight, Elections and Ethics, the Oakland County delegation to the state legislature,
Michigan Association of Counties and Oakland County's legislative lobbyists.
Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
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Resolution #05039 February 17, 2005
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections.