To the editor:
K.L. Kawecki expressed concern that 116% of eligible voters are registered to vote in Leelanau County and suggested that the group promoting this figure should be taken more seriously.
Here’s the good news. There are good reasons why the number of registered voters exceeds the number of eligible voters even if the 116% figure is inaccurate.
The other good news is that only voters with up-to-date registrations can vote either in person or absentee. AND every voter is required to verify their identity before their votes are counted.
Michigan.gov/sos explains how voter registration rolls are managed. By law, inactivity is not a basis for registration cancellation. Even after mail notices are returned as undeliverable, it takes inactivity in up to two even-year federal elections before a registration is cancelled.
States (including Michigan) and the federal government share registration data to identify voters who moved but failed to cancel their previous registration. Even then, the process requires notification of cancellation before any action can take place. The registration rolls always include inactive voters who are in the process of being canceled. If any of those voters attempted to vote or requested an absentee ballot, they would have to effectively re-register.
Finally, the clerk tests the voting systems publicly before every election and provides training for anyone who wants to understand how our systems work.
The best place to get answers to questions about election accuracy or security is one of these public tests or training sessions, not county board meetings.
Jeff Beamsley Elmwood Township
