ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.
“Well there you go again.” — Ronald Reagan to Jimmy Carter in the 1980 presidential debate.
Michigan Democrats have been surprisingly successful in getting ballot issues passed by the electorate by putting them up for state-wide votes in general elections. They spearheaded passage of legalizing abortions, same day voting, voting by mail and legalizing recreational use of marijuana.
So it was interesting, if not disgusting, to watch the state Republican Party begin the process of getting a statewide ballot issue in 2026 with a petition drive. Though it isn’t known yet if the campaign will succeed, it’s more than obvious the reason.
The Republican Party, not just in Michigan, but in the United States, has been trying to keep the unwashed masses, the poor, from voting. The GOP understands all too well that when a lot of people cast their ballots, Democrats reap the benefits.
Of course, Republicans will say they just want to prevent election fraud, even though evidence shows that less than 1 percent of people who vote are able to do so because of fraud.
So the effort for this ballot proposal is to somehow decrease the number of voters for Democrats, because Republicans usually win when turnout is light.
This proposition is to require all who vote to have with them proof of citizenship, just another hurdle for the unwashed masses to clear. And as I have insisted for quite a spell now, if you make something easy to do, people will do it. Conversely, if you make it difficult, they won’t. It’s not rocket science.
Republicans long have opposed propositions to make voting easy and accessible. In some cases they have tried to add more requirements, such as photos, in order to be able to cast votes. So now they’re going to use a tactic they have opposed to get something they want. Don’t be fooled.
If you’re presented with a petition, just say no.
