Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2021
CONTACT: press@secure-democracy.org
NEW POLL: Bipartisan Support for Expanded Voting Access, Less Partisanship in Michigan Elections
Vast majority of Michigan voters had a positive experience voting, feel 2020 state elections were run and managed well
LANSING, Mich.— Ninety-four percent of Michiganders reported a good personal experience voting in the 2020 election, and 66% feel state elections were run and managed well, according to a new statewide poll released today by Secure Democracy and administered by Ragnar Research Partners. The poll found widespread support for policies that expand voting access, with more than 60% of voters supporting in person early voting during the week leading up to Election Day and on the weekends before Election Day.
Michigan voters also opposed measures that would increase partisan interference in elections. Ninety-one percent of respondents felt that it was important for election administration to be protected from partisan political influence and nearly 7 in 10 (68%) of respondents oppose allowing partisan challengers to record the tabulation of votes on their own devices.
“In 2018, Michiganders voted overwhelmingly to modernize Michigan elections through Prop 3, passing much-needed reforms like no-excuse absentee voting and automatic voter registration,” said Sarah Walker, executive director of Secure Democracy. “Our research shows that Michiganders are happy with these new changes. Instead of taking Michigan elections backwards, lawmakers should continue making the commonsense improvements that Michigan voters and election administrators support, like allowing ballot pre-processing to ensure timely election results and codifying a statewide ballot cure process so a voter can cure a honest, simple mistake with their ballot.”
"Nearly all Michigan voters had a good personal experience voting and they believe it is important that election administration be protected from partisanship," said Chris Perkins of Ragnar Research Partners. "Our findings show that Michigan voters support increasing both the accountability and accessibility of elections in the state."
Among the poll’s key findings, there is widespread support across Michigan for:
Keeping election administration protected from partisan political influence. 91% of voters agreed this was important; 82% agreed strongly it was important.
Having the option to vote in person during the week leading up to Election Day. 62% of all Michigan voters support.
Having the option to vote in person on the weekends before Election Day. 63% of all Michigan voters support.
Allowing Michigan election administrators to begin opening, sorting, and processing returned absentee ballots before Election Day to ensure timely election results. 66% of Michigan voters supported expanding the processing timeline: 32% of Michigan voters support administrators beginning immediately upon receiving absentee ballots; 34% support giving administrators three days to one week.
Allowing Michigan election administrators to begin verifying and counting returned absentee ballots before Election Day to ensure timely election results. 69% of Michigan voters supported expanding the verification and counting timeline: 36% of Michigan voters support administrators beginning immediately upon receiving absentee ballots; 33% support giving administrators three days to one week.
Codifying a statewide uniform system for voters to track the status of their absentee ballot. 78% of all Michigan voters support.
Providing sufficient state funding to election administrators so they can efficiently run elections without needing outside resources. 76% of all Michigan voters support.
Michigan voters overwhelmingly oppose the following restrictive policies:
Prohibiting the secretary of state from providing voters the opportunity to request their mail ballot online. 62% of all Michigan voters oppose.
Allowing partisan challengers to record the tabulation of votes on their own device. 68% of all Michigan voters oppose.
Creating additional reasons partisan challengers can challenge your ballot. 62% of all Michigan voters oppose.
Prohibiting election administrators from including pre-paid postage on absentee ballots. 53% of Michigan voters oppose.
Commissioned by Secure Democracy, the survey of 607 likely voters in Michigan was administered from April 20 through April 22, 2021. The full analysis from Ragnar Research Partners can be found here.
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About Secure Democracy
Secure Democracy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to improve election integrity across the United States. We educate policymakers and the public about what it takes to safeguard our voting systems. We collaborate with state leaders, election administrators, election integrity experts, and allies to ensure that all eligible citizens have the freedom to vote how they choose.