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HR 196

A Resolution designating the month of April 2025 as "Distracted Driving Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and 24 co-sponsors

HR 196 demands unredacted Michigan statewide voter registration data to the DOJ, asserting federal access rights under NVRA/HAVA and privacy safeguards.

Adopted
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 196

Summary — House Resolution 196 (HR 196)

Status: Adopted
Introduced: January 3, 2025
Classification: House resolution (non‑binding)

Purpose

HR 196 is a legislative resolution that formally demands the Michigan Secretary of State provide the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) with an unredacted electronic copy of Michigan’s statewide computerized voter registration list. The demand cites federal disclosure obligations under Title III, section 303 of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (52 U.S.C. § 20703) and section 8(i)(1) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) (52 U.S.C. § 20507(i)(1)). The resolution asks compliance “to the full extent permitted by law.”

Key provisions / what the resolution does

  • Expresses the Michigan House’s demand that the Secretary of State comply with the DOJ’s request for an unredacted copy of the statewide voter registration database.
  • Cites federal statutes that require retention and, upon demand by the Attorney General, access to records and voter‑list maintenance documentation.
  • Notes that DOJ has requested certain nonpublic fields (date of birth and driver’s license number or the last four digits of the Social Security number) it considers necessary to assess compliance with NVRA and Help America Vote Act (HAVA) list‑maintenance requirements.
  • States that DOJ offered secure data‑sharing options and would treat the data consistent with the federal Privacy Act.
  • Directs that copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Secretary of State and the U.S. Attorney General (and in some versions to county/city/township clerks).

Background and timeline (as recited in the resolution)

  • DOJ Civil Rights Division letters to the Michigan Secretary of State requesting information and the current electronic voter file: July 21, 2025 (initial) and August 14, 2025 (follow‑up).
  • Michigan Department of State provided a partial response on September 2, 2025, supplying the public Qualified Voter File (QVF) but refusing the unredacted file citing state election law and FOIA.
  • DOJ filed suit against the Michigan Secretary of State on September 25, 2025, seeking a court order to compel production of the unredacted file.

Who is affected

  • Michigan Secretary of State and Michigan Department of State (custodians of the voter file).
  • The U.S. Department of Justice (Civil Rights Division / Attorney General) in its federal compliance review and enforcement role.
  • County, city, and township clerks who maintain local election records (recipients of the resolution copy).
  • Michigan registered voters — particularly with respect to privacy and the handling of personally identifiable information (DOB, driver’s license/SSN digits).

Legal and practical implications

  • HR 196 is a formal legislative demand but is not itself an order enforceable against the Secretary of State. Federal law (DOJ authority and federal courts) — not a state resolution — is the mechanism that can compel compliance.
  • The matter raises a tension between federal inspection demands under Civil Rights Act/NVRA/HAVA and state law/privacy/FOIA protections; DOJ has indicated secure handling and Privacy Act safeguards.
  • If enforced (by DOJ lawsuit outcome), production would aid DOJ’s assessment of Michigan’s compliance with federal list‑maintenance and voter‑registration requirements; it also raises state privacy and information‑security considerations.

Procedural status

  • Referred to House committee(s) and then adopted by the House. Enrollment and transmittal actions occurred per legislative records. Copies were directed to the Michigan Secretary of State and the U.S. Attorney General.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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