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Gretchen Whitmer on Government Reform
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Opposes gerrymandering; opposes voter ID
Q: Support Michigan's redistricting ballot initiative 2 to address charges of partisan gerrymandering?Bill Schuette (R): Opposes initiative. Asked MI Supreme Court to reject for creating "a fourth branch of government."
Gretchen Whitmer (D):
Yes. "Gerrymandering continues to disenfranchise voters in Michigan." Don't let partisan legislators draw political boundaries.
Q: Voting Rights: Support stricter or broader voting and registration rules?
Bill Schuette (R): Stricter. Supported end to straight-ticket voting.
Gretchen Whitmer (D): Opposes strict voter ID laws, supports straight-ticket, automatic registration, letting anyone vote absentee.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Michigan Governor race
, Oct 9, 2018
Disclose political donors; reverse Citizens United
Q: Require political ads to disclose largest funders? Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations & unions?Bill Schuette (R): Supports candidates releasing tax returns. Backed Americans for Prosperity
not disclosing donors for their political ads.
Gretchen Whitmer (D): As of 2004 supported disclosure of ad sponsors. Reverse "Citizens United on steroids legislation" that lets Super PACS raise and spend unlimited amounts of money in Michigan."
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Michigan Governor race
, Oct 9, 2018
Promote universal voter access
It is too hard to register and to vote in Michigan. Everyone who applies for a driver's license or state ID should be automatically registered to vote, and any registered voters should be able to vote absentee or by mail.
As a legislator, I fought to ensure valid ballots from our service members overseas were counted, to prevent voters from being turned away at the polls, and to allow same-day voter registration.
Source: 2018 Michigan Gubernatorial website GretchenWhitmer.com
, Nov 1, 2017
No photo ID for absentee voting
Legislative Summary:A person who applies in person to register to vote shall identify himself or herself by presenting an official state identification card issued to that person. The secretary of state shall develop a voter registration
training program for third-party voter registration organizations that teaches the proper procedure for taking a voter registration application.Veto Summary:SB754 precludes voter registration groups from receiving and delivering
registration applications until at least one member of their organization has received training. While our current Secretary of State would be very proactive on offering training, it is important to ensure that future officials provide proper training.
Voting rights are precious and we need to work especially hard to make it possible for people to vote.
Legislative Outcome:Sen. Whitmer voted NAY; \passed Senate 26-11-1, Feb. 14; passed House 66-43-1, June 12; vetoed by Gov., July 3
Source: Michigan Legislative voting records on SB751 & SB754
, Feb 14, 2012
Page last updated: Mar 15, 2020
