<h2>At a glance</h2> <p>The Michigan House of Representatives has passed House Bill 4765, a proposal that would change how voter registration works in the state. The bill requires individuals to provide proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote. It also creates a new category called a "federal-only voter" for applicants whose citizenship cannot be immediately verified by state databases.</p> <p>If enacted, this measure would prevent individuals designated as federal-only voters from casting ballots in state and local elections, such as races for governor, state legislature, or city council. They would remain eligible to vote only in federal elections, such as for president and members of Congress. The bill passed the House on April 14, 2026, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Government Operations on April 16, 2026 [<a href="https://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2025-2026/Journal/House/htm/2026-HJ-04-14-026.htm">House Journal</a>]. It has not yet become law.</p> <p>For more context on how voting laws evolve in the state, readers can explore the <a href="/blog/michigan/">Power the People Michigan civic reporting library</a>.</p> <h2>What the bill would do</h2> <p>House Bill 4765 amends the Michigan Election Law to add stricter verification steps for voter registration. Currently, individuals can register to vote through various methods, including automatic registration when applying for a driver’s license or state ID. Under the new proposal, automatic registration would only occur if the applicant has provided documentation demonstrating U.S. citizenship [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <p>The bill adds a new section to the law defining a "federal-only voter." This term applies to a voter registration applicant whose U.S. citizenship has not been verified. These individuals are not considered registered electors under state law and are not entitled to vote in any election other than those for federal offices [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <p>To manage this process, the Secretary of State would be required to verify an applicant’s citizenship status using existing databases, including those maintained by the Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If verification fails, the applicant is designated as a federal-only voter [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <p>Applicants can expedite this verification by providing satisfactory evidence of citizenship. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization documents, or certain tribal identification cards. The bill also updates the electronic voter registration interface to allow applicants to upload these documents directly [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <p>The measure affects several agencies involved in automatic voter registration. The Department of Health and Human Services and Indian nations or tribes would be required to transmit voter registration information only for individuals who have been verified as U.S. citizens. Similarly, the Department of Corrections must use citizenship verification procedures when registering individuals released from incarceration [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <h2>Why supporters may favor it</h2> <p>Proponents of the bill may argue that requiring proof of citizenship helps ensure the integrity of state and local elections. By preventing non-citizens from voting in races where they are not legally eligible, supporters contend the measure protects the validity of election results [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <p>Supporters may also point to the "federal-only voter" designation as a way to comply with federal laws while maintaining strict standards for state elections. They may argue that this approach ensures that unverified individuals do not inadvertently cast invalid ballots in state and local races [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <p>Additionally, advocates may highlight that the bill provides multiple avenues for applicants to prove their status. By allowing electronic uploads of documents like passports or birth certificates, supporters suggest the process could be streamlined for those who have ready access to such records [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <h2>Why critics may object</h2> <p>Opponents may argue that requiring documentary proof of citizenship creates an additional barrier to voter registration. Critics contend this could disenfranchise eligible citizens who lack immediate access to specific documents, such as passports or original birth certificates [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <p>Critics may also express concern that the creation of a "federal-only voter" class complicates election administration. There is potential for confusion among voters and poll workers regarding which ballots a person is eligible to cast, potentially leading to errors at the polls [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <p>Furthermore, opponents may point out that the bill shifts the burden of proof to the applicant even when state databases fail to verify citizenship. This could delay registration for eligible voters who must then gather and submit additional documentation to regain full voting rights [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <h2>Who may be affected</h2> <p>The bill would impact all voter registration applicants in Michigan. Specifically, it affects individuals applying for driver’s licenses or state IDs who wish to register to vote, as well as those applying for Medicaid benefits through the Department of Health and Human Services [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <p>Tribal members seeking voter registration through tribal governments would also be subject to the new verification requirements. Additionally, individuals released from incarceration who are eligible to vote would need to undergo citizenship verification before being fully registered [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <p>Local clerks and the Secretary of State’s office would bear the responsibility of maintaining the qualified voter file with these new designations. They would need to ensure that federal-only voters receive the correct ballot styles and are not allowed to vote in state or local contests [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text</a>].</p> <h2>What the vote record shows</h2> <p>The House passed House Bill 4765 on April 14, 2026. The roll call vote recorded 58 yeas and 46 nays, with no excused absences [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/rollcall/HB4765/id/1683988">House Roll Call #107</a>]. Prior to the final passage, the House Committee on Election Integrity reported the bill with a substitute recommendation (H-1) on March 17, 2026, with a vote of 6 yeas and 3 nays [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/rollcall/HB4765/id/1681894">Committee Roll Call</a>].</p> <p>Following its passage in the House, the bill was transmitted to the Senate. On April 16, 2026, the Senate referred the bill to the Committee on Government Operations [<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/bill/HB4765/2025">LegiScan Record</a>].</p> <h2>What happens next</h2> <p>House Bill 4765 is currently in the Senate Committee on Government Operations. For the bill to become law, it must pass the Senate in the same form as it passed the House. If the Senate makes changes, the bill would need to return to the House for concurrence. Once both chambers pass the identical bill, it would be sent to the Governor for signature or veto.</p> <p>As the legislative process continues, stakeholders may monitor how the bill interacts with existing federal voting laws and what administrative challenges arise during implementation. For updates on similar legislative efforts, readers can refer to stories such as <a href="/blog/michigan/michigan-senate-passes-state-voting-rights-act">Michigan Senate Passes State Voting Rights Act, Sending It to the House</a> or learn about funding mechanisms in <a href="/blog/michigan/how-does-the-michigan-voting-rights-assistance-fund-help-cover-costs-and-what-is-the-reimbursement-l">How does the Michigan Voting Rights Assistance Fund help cover costs, and what is the reimbursement limit?</a>.</p> <h2>Sources</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4765">Official Bill Page: HB 4765</a></li> <li><a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/bill/HB4765/2025">LegiScan Record: HB 4765</a></li> <li><a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240">Engrossed Bill Text (H-1 Substitute)</a></li> <li><a href="https://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2025-2026/Journal/House/htm/2026-HJ-04-14-026.htm">House Journal: Third Reading and Passage</a></li> <li><a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/rollcall/HB4765/id/1683988">House Roll Call #107</a></li> <li><a href="https://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2025-2026/billanalysis/House/pdf/2025-HLA-4765-ZT59MDJ7.pdf">House Fiscal Note/Analysis: Summary as Reported from Committee</a></li> </ul>

Keep exploring Michigan civic power

Explore current Michigan voter initiatives and community proposals. Browse the complete Michigan civic reporting library.

Related Michigan reading

Sources