A bill that would remove restrictions for absentee voting stalled in the Michigan Senate on Wednesday when legislators voted to leave it in a committee.
The two-year session is scheduled to end Thursday and bills do not carry over into the new term.
The bill, which was introduced by Sen. Beverly Hammerstrom, R-Temperance, would remove restrictions to obtain an absentee ballot. Under current rules, a Michigan resident can only obtain an absentee ballot if they fall under one of six categories, including being out of town or older than 60.
Hammerstrom, who voted to stall her own bill, could not be reached for comment.
The bill remains in the Senate Government Operations Committee led by Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming.
"It was not a piece of legislation that we thought could get adequate thought," said Sikkema spokesman Ari Adler. "Elections and voting is something that is very important."
Adler said having more absentee ballots could open the state to voter fraud and increase costs and time burdens for clerks.
"People are caught up in the idea that more people will vote and we won't have problems with lines," Adler said.
The bill was introduced in January 2003. In February 2003, it was placed in the Senate Government Operations Committee, where it will die.
Adler said the Senate also has to consider other options, such as early voting or expanded reasons to receive absentee ballots, rather than make it completely open.
But Sen. Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek, questioned why some of these possibilities were not explored by the committee.
"They're not that interested," Schauer said. "The bill has been sitting in committee for almost two years without a hearing."
Republican Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land will continue to support no-reason absentee ballots, said spokeswoman Kelly Chesney. Land will testify on its merits in front of a House committee on Thursday, Chesney said.
"(Land) supports no-reason absentee voting as an effort to the reduce the lines at polls, open up opportunities for the voters and encourage consistent participation," she said.
