The Michigan Senate recently passed a legislative package aimed at combating election disinformation and reforming the petition circulation process, garnering bipartisan support. Key bills include Senate Bill 529, 530, and 531, sponsored by Democratic Senators Jeremy Moss and Jeff Irwin. These bills prohibit paying petition circulators per signature—aimed at preventing deceptive practices—and require circulators to direct signers to a factual summary of proposals. Another bill, Senate Bill 533, addresses penalties for false election statements.
Senator Moss emphasized that support for causes should stem from their merits, not from misleading tactics. Senator Irwin’s legislation seeks to ensure that only one signature is counted when multiple identical signatures appear, countering current laws that disenfranchise voters. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel endorsed the bills, underscoring the importance of trustworthy electoral processes.
The proposed legislation will progress to the Republican-controlled House, where its fate is uncertain. Additionally, the Senate passed measures requiring a 45-day window for new legislative earmarks before voting, a move supported for transparency.
