GOP Michigan gov. vetoes voter ID laws

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder (C) talks with Michigan college and university administrators at a press conference May 12, 2011 in Lansing, Michigan.

/ Steve Fecht for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation via Getty Images

(CBS News) Breaking from Republicans in his state and across the country, Michigan's Republican Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday vetoed three bills intended to curb voter fraud but that opponents cast as forms of voter suppression.

One of the bills vetoed would have required training for people involved in voter registration efforts. In a release, the governor's office said, "While Snyder supports the concept of training individuals involved in voter registration, [these changes]... may cause confusion with ongoing voter registration efforts."

Another one of the vetoed bills would have required a voter to prove his U.S. citizenship before receiving a ballot, while the third would have required a voter to show a photo ID when picking up an absentee ballot form. The governor's office said in its statement, "this legislation could create voter confusion among absentee voters."

Michigan Public Radio reports that reactions from state lawmakers fell down predictable partisan lines. Michigan's House Democratic Leader Rick Hammell called the vetoes "brave," while Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger was quick to express his disappointment.

A spokesman for Bolger said in a statement, according to the Detroit Free Press, that the Republican leader considered the bills "very reasonable reforms designed to protect the integrity of one of the most sacred rights in the United States."

The nonpartisan group Project Vote, meanwhile, applauded the Republican governor for "doing right by Michigan voters and taking an important stand against the current onslaught of voter suppression laws."

According to the National Conference of State Legislators, 17 states -- including Michigan -- have passed laws requiring a photo identification at the polls. Another 16 states have passed laws requiring non-photo identification.

Republicans have led the efforts in recent years to pass voter ID laws, which supporters say are needed to prevent voter fraud, even though there's little evidence of such fraud taking place. After Pennsylvania adopted a strict voter photo ID requirement, CBS News asked state officials how many people had been convicted of voter impersonation or voter fraud in the past five years. The answer was zero, CBS News reported.

President Obama's re-election campaign and Democrats in Congress have been pushing back against the laws.

[Tanksleyd]

The signature system works!

The state can MASSIVELY verify, investigate, inspect, study and punish the integrity of any voter and/or district after the fact, after a crime has been committed.

In fact even now the state has COMPLETE MASSIVE power to MASSIVELY investigate the 2008 election to determine if there was any pattern of a crime-wave or even individual-crime.

Instead they're actually and literally investigating grandmom as we speak to prove that she was born before or after her maiden name in rural Oklahoma 80 years ago where she clearly remembers the world before Social Security.

The signature system works.

[Tanksleyd]

The signature system works!

The state can MASSIVELY verify, investigate, inspect, study and punish the integrity of any voter and/or district after the fact, after a crime has been committed.

In fact even now the state has COMPLETE MASSIVE power to MASSIVELY investigate the 2008 election to determine if there was any pattern of a crime-wave or even individual-crime.

Instead they're actually and literally investigating grandmom as we speak to prove that she was born before or after her maiden name in rural Oklahoma 80 years ago where she clearly remembers the world before Social Security.

The signature system works.

[gringovejo]

The folks calling themselves, Republicans today, for the most part, are anything, but. Today's Party, wants to "Rule," not govern and, as we have seen over the past few decades, will do anything, to prevent those who don't think as they do, to vote or be active in the political process. IF we were to require that everyone pass the exact same test on American Law and Government, that is required for all new citizens. I can, almost, guarantee, that even with special tutoring by those who are pushing to make it more difficult for average folks to participate, more than 85% of today's Republicans would fail. I believe it was Stalin, who said, that it was not the votes that determine a election, it is those who control and count the votes that determine the outcome. These same people, are the most likely to call their opponents, socialists and communists. Interesting, is it not?

So, kudos to Governor Rick Snyder for taking the high road, instead of pandering to the Party. I'd like to see more, like him, step up to the plate.

[mikeacolletti]

Gee, no voter fraud. The Repups scared them off long before they passed the jobs bill againt voters whom would cast their illegal balots. Nice way to get paid - - do nothing - - legislature.

WOOPIE - WOOPIE

[hhandyman]

its is good that a person with a birth cert can vote even if hes living in a cardboard box with no address to post all due to someone shipping his job overseas.. too many reasons folks living in a car because the bank foreclosed on their home leaving them homeless does NOT remove the right to vote.. as some would like to return to ONLY Property owners with a right to vote.. that's where it is headed with the photo vote..ID oh that would put all the renters out of a right to vote.. of course scrOOge the 1% of 1% big buck guys in the republican leadership would love that.. they're more likely to be Land lords.. reducing tenants rights from the government on down..

[stormerF69]

What is the reason someone who wants to vote,registers to vote and makes the trip to the polls to vote,would not have an ID.???????

[audemus]

These days when you see any Republican breaking ranks with the nut-jobs that have hi-jacked the GOP, that's cause for celebration ! Let's hope it's the beginning of a nationwide trend.

[stormerF69]

The Unions rule in Michigan,where are you from Kentucky? Can't have the voters ,voting with legitimate ID's it may go against Union rule.

[moretruthnow]

Thank you Governor Snyder for showing that you care about the voting public having the right to vote. I am proud that you are not going to allow the voter suppression that the GOP is working for all over the country. Thank you for being a real stand up guy for honesty.

[stormerF69]

You must get an ID to cash your welfare check at least once fool.

[sjc_1]

FIRST, you have to show voter fraud. Laws to prevent voter fraud that does not exist are really for another purpose and I think we all know what that is.

[stormerF69]

To allow all those who would vote legitimately go up against those Unions voters who have no proof of residence?

[ludvig1-2009]

Diogenes would be impressed by this Republican. Definitely not of the cloth.