State Rep. Mike Hoadley (R-Au Gres) yesterday introduced a bill to restore confidence in Michigan’s Qualified Voter File (QVF).  House Bill 4356 would require the Michigan Secretary of State’s office to contact registered voters who have failed to vote for 10 years or more. Under the bill, a prepaid postage and preaddressed return card would be sent to those who have not voted in this timeframe, asking them to verify their address with their local city or township clerk.

“The inaccuracy of Michigan’s voter rolls is a legitimate concern,” Hoadley said. “Inaccurate information in the QVF can undermine voter confidence in the system. After failed lawsuits to clean up to rolls, my bill simply instructs the Secretary of State to send postage to a voter to verify the most accurate voter information is on file.”

Those receiving a card would need to properly verify their address with their local clerk at least 15 days before the next election, or else affirm their address at the polls the next time they vote. Those who do not respond, vote, or verify their address by the second November general election after receiving the postage from the Secretary of State would be removed from the QVF.

“Michigan residents want to be confident in our voter rolls again,” Hoadley said. “It’s time we work together to start cleaning up this mess and get our ducks in a row.”

House Bill 4356 was enrolled Tuesday afternoon and referred to the Election Integrity Committee.

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