State Representative Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Township) is co-sponsoring a newly proposed constitutional amendment that would require Michigan residents to provide a photo ID and proof of citizenship to vote. The amendment, introduced by State Representative Bryan Posthumus as House Joint Resolution B, provides a common-sense measure to ensure illegal votes cannot influence elections in Michigan.

“I believe Michigan’s elected officials have a responsibility to place protections for the integrity of our elections into the state’s paramount law,” DeBoyer said. “As recently as our last election, a noncitizen illegally and successfully voted because they were not required to prove their citizenship. The provisions in our amendment will ensure nothing like that happens again. As someone with a tenured history of doing the work of election administration, I understand the need for this proposal to defend our voting process from corruption.”

Prior to his election to the Michigan House, DeBoyer served for 12 years as the clerk and register of deeds for St. Clair County. As a county clerk, DeBoyer was the chief election official for the St. Clair area, and his responsibilities often included helping local clerks administer elections.

“The fundamental principle of representative government is that the will of the people should prevail. Our government can only achieve that if our elections are free and fair and accurately reflect the will of the people,” DeBoyer said. “The Michigan Constitution should absolutely include requirements that only permit Michigan citizens to vote, and I am hopeful my colleagues in the legislature will agree.”

House Joint Resolution B was referred to the House Committee on Election Integrity. Because the resolution is a constitutional amendment, it will need to receive a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the legislature to pass. If it is passed by the legislature, it would be placed on a ballot and need to receive a simple majority in a statewide vote.