What specific documents can Michigan voters upload to prove their citizenship under House Bill 4765?
Short answer
Under House Bill 4765, voter registration applicants in Michigan can provide satisfactory evidence of citizenship by submitting a U.S. passport, a birth certificate, naturalization documents, or certain tribal identification cards. The bill updates the electronic voter registration interface to allow applicants to upload these documents directly if their citizenship status is not immediately verified by state databases [https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240].
What the bill or law says
The proposed legislation amends the Michigan Election Law to require proof of United States citizenship for voter registration. If an applicant’s citizenship cannot be verified through existing state and federal databases, they are designated as a "federal-only voter." This status limits their voting eligibility to federal offices, such as president and members of Congress, excluding them from state and local elections [https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240].
To resolve this designation and become a fully registered elector, applicants must provide documentation proving their status. The bill explicitly identifies acceptable forms of evidence. These include a valid U.S. passport, an official birth certificate, documents showing naturalization, or specific tribal identification cards. The text mandates that the Secretary of State’s office update its electronic systems to facilitate the direct upload of these records during the registration process [https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240].
How it works in practice
Currently, many Michigan residents register to vote automatically when applying for a driver’s license or state ID. Under the new proposal, this automatic registration would only proceed if the applicant has already provided documentation demonstrating U.S. citizenship. If the state’s database check fails to confirm citizenship, the individual is not considered a registered elector for state purposes [https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240].
In such cases, the applicant would need to take additional steps to verify their status. By uploading one of the accepted documents through the updated electronic interface, they could expedite the verification process. Agencies involved in automatic voter registration, such as the Department of Health and Human Services and tribal governments, would also be required to transmit registration information only for individuals who have been verified as U.S. citizens [https://legiscan.com/MI/text/HB4765/id/3418240].
What the source does not answer
The bill text does not specify the technical requirements for the digital uploads, such as file formats or size limits. It also does not detail how long the verification process will take once documents are submitted. Furthermore, the source does not provide information on whether there will be any fees associated with obtaining the required documents if an applicant does not already possess them. The legislative record does not outline the specific training protocols for local clerks who will manage these new designations [https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4765].