Tri-City Sun

State Representative Mike Hoadley recently welcomed testimony from Baldwin Township Clerk Cathy Pittsley during a session of the Election Integrity Committee. Pittsley expressed her support for House Bill 4356, which was introduced by Hoadley and aims to update the Qualified Voter File (QVF) by removing certain electors who have not voted in over a decade.

The proposed legislation requires the Michigan Secretary of State’s office to reach out to registered voters who have been inactive for ten years or more. These voters would receive a prepaid, preaddressed return card to confirm their address with local city or township clerks.

“Even in a very small precinct, there is skepticism regarding our elections,” stated Pittsley. She highlighted that many absentee ballots distributed by her township were returned in person due to concerns about vote counting accuracy.

Under the bill's provisions, recipients must verify their address with local clerks at least 15 days before an election or confirm it when voting. If they fail to respond, vote, or verify their address by the second November general election after receiving the mailing, they will be removed from the QVF.

“The committee has received many presentations and testimony of firsthand experiences with the integrity of the QVF being a common theme,” said Hoadley. “House Bill 4356 is a step toward regaining voter confidence in the integrity of our elections.”