Jeff Irwin introducing legislation to allow Michigan residents to vote absentee for any reason

Irwin's office said the legislation will be read in as House Bill 4520 once the Legislature returns from break.

Currently, Michigan residents are only allowed to vote by absentee ballot if they expect to be absent from the community in which they are registered on Election Day, are physically unable to make it to the polls without assistance, cannot make it to the polls due to their religious beliefs, have been appointed as an election precinct inspector in a precinct other than their home precinct, are age 60 or older, or are incarcerated awaiting trial or arraignment.

"People shouldn't be denied their right to vote simply because they can't make it to the polls," Irwin said. "We all benefit when more people participate in our electoral process. This plan will update our laws to address the challenges that prevent people from getting to the polls."