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           "Standing in the way of a person's right to vote undermines democracy," Cushingberry said. "The Republican party has a long history of attempting to suppress votes in under-represented communities, such as minorities and students. Michigan lawmakers and voters need to know if there are active caging efforts in this state."

           With one type of caging, a political party sends registered mail to addresses of registered voters. If the mail is returned as undeliverable -- because, for example, the voter refuses to sign for it, the voter isn't present for delivery, or the voter is homeless -- the party uses that fact to challenge the registration, arguing that because the voter could not be reached at the address, the registration is fraudulent.

           Voters targeted by caging are often the most vulnerable: soldiers deployed overseas, those who are unfamiliar with their rights under the law, and those who cannot spare the time, effort or expense of proving that their registration is valid.

           The National Voting Rights Act allows postcard mailings to purge voter registration lists; however, when returned mail is used as the sole basis for to disqualify voters, this is defined as voter caging. There have been many accusations that postcard mailings have been used for voter caging in other states, which has lead to lawsuits.

           The bill would amend Michigan election law and make voter caging a felony.

           For more detail about the plan, please click here.