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Citizenship voting proposal blocked from Michigan ballot. Backers vow fight

August 26, 2026

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers deadlocked 2-2 on whether to certify a proposed constitutional amendment requiring voters to prove U.S. citizenship, preventing it from appearing on the November ballot without court intervention. Although the group Americans for Citizen Voting submitted over 700,000 signatures—far exceeding the required number—a random sample analysis found only 626 valid signatures out of the 629 needed for certification. The proposed amendment would establish one of the nation's strictest citizenship verification systems, requiring new and existing voters to prove citizenship, eliminating the signed affidavit option for those without photo ID, and creating a dual voter roll system similar to Arizona's.

Who is affected

  • Americans for Citizen Voting and its parent organization Liberty Initiative Fund
  • Michigan voters who submitted signatures supporting the amendment (over 700,000)
  • The Michigan Board of State Canvassers (specifically members Mary Ellen Gurewitz and Paul Cordes mentioned)
  • Promote The Vote Action (voting rights group that challenged signatures)
  • Michigan election clerks
  • Military and overseas voters (who receive ballots starting September 19)
  • Potential future voters who would need to prove citizenship if the amendment passes
  • Voters without photo ID who currently use affidavits
  • The Michigan Supreme Court
  • The Bureau of Elections

What action is being taken

  • Americans for Citizen Voting is preparing to file an appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court (they have until September 2 to file)
  • The Michigan Supreme Court will be reviewing the case under a tight deadline
  • Election clerks are working to finalize ballot contents and prepare for printing to meet absentee ballot distribution deadlines (September 19 for military/overseas voters, September 24 for all absentees)

Why it matters

  • This decision is significant because it affects whether Michigan voters will have the opportunity to decide on one of the strictest proof-of-citizenship voting requirements in the United States. The outcome has immediate implications for the integrity of the democratic process, as over 700,000 petition signatures may not result in ballot access due to a narrow technical shortfall in the validation sample. The tight timeline creates urgency since absentee ballots must be finalized and distributed by late September, giving the Supreme Court little time to decide. More broadly, the issue reflects a national debate about election security versus voter access, with noncitizen voting being extremely rare (six people charged out of 5.6 million ballots cast in Michigan's 2024 general election) while proof-of-citizenship requirements could potentially disenfranchise legitimate citizens who lack proper documentation.

What's next

  • Americans for Citizen Voting has seven business days (until September 2) to file an appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court
  • The Michigan Supreme Court will review the appeal and make a decision before September 19 (when the earliest ballots go out to military and overseas voters)
  • If the amendment is certified and makes the ballot, Michigan voters will decide on it in the November election
  • Supporters indicated they are willing to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com