Voting Absentee Shouldn't Expose Voters to Identity Theft #LeaveMIVoteAlone AARP

Voting Absentee Shouldn't Expose Voters to Identity Theft #LeaveMIVoteAlone

Tell Legislators: Leave MI Vote Alone!

A petition drive is underway in Michigan to create unnecessary and potentially risky new requirements for Michigan voters who rely on absentee voting. If adopted by the Legislature, this proposal would require voters to include a photocopy or add their driver’s license number or last four digits of their Social Security number to any absentee voter application. 
 
In addition to creating a new hurdle for voters exercising their constitutional right to vote, this proposal would create new risks of identity theft for everyone who votes absentee.
 
AARP Michigan opposes this proposal because mailing or emailing a copy of your driver’s license or social security card, or mailing those numbers written out, can subject individuals to identity theft if their mail or email gets intercepted. AARP has long warned against sharing this information, especially the last four digits of your Social Security number!
 
If this proposal succeeds it will create a dangerous new treasure trove of personal information that is ripe for potential identity thieves to target and steal. And there is no doubt that older voters would be disproportionately affected. In the 2020 election, 64% of the 3.3 million voters who cast absentee ballots were age 50 or over. During the last three elections in Michigan, between 55 and 60% of total votes cast were by voters age 50 and over.
 
AARP believes any legislation on election reform should protect and enhance access to voting and ensure safety for older voters and others who participate in the process. You can find out more about AARP Michigan’s efforts to protect voting rights and prevent identify theft at:  AARPMI.org/LeaveMIVoteAlone
 
Take action now! Please help protect Michigan voters by contacting your State Representative and State Senator. Urge them to VOTE NO on any proposal that creates barriers to absentee voting and increases your risk of identity theft.
 
 
Using the form on this page will send an email to these recipients:
  • Your State Representative and Senator
Form Label Field
Your Message
Leave MI Vote Alone
Dear Decision Maker,

I am your constituent, and I am writing to urge you to vote NO on any proposal that comes before you that would subject older voters to additional risks of identity theft because they exercise their right to vote by absentee ballot.

There is a petition drive underway that seeks to change Michigan Election Law to require voters to submit sensitive personal identifying information through the mail or over email when they submit an absent voter ballot application. In addition to creating an unnecessary new hurdle for voters who vote by absentee ballot, this legislation would subject Michigan voters to new risks of identity theft.

Mailing or emailing photocopies of driver’s licenses or Social Security cards puts citizens at risk of identity theft if their mail or email gets intercepted, and so does mailing or emailing those numbers written out.

Requiring driver’s license numbers or the last four digits of voters' Social Security numbers on absentee ballot applications that voters send in the mail is a bad idea. It will create a dangerous new treasure trove of personal information that is ripe for potential identity thieves to target and steal.

Michigan voters have a right to vote by absentee ballot and should not be subjected to unnecessary risks when doing so. Please oppose this proposal if or when it comes before you.

Thank you.

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]