Sen. Lana Theis supported legislation approved by the Senate on Thursday that would help restore and improve the security and integrity of Michigan’s elections system.

“Michigan voters expect and deserve an elections process that is fair, secure, and accurate,” said Theis, R-Brighton. “As a member of the Senate Oversight Committee, I heard hours of testimony and first-hand accounts that people are losing trust in the election system, and the committee’s election report determined that reforms are needed. The legislation the Senate approved today is a step in the right direction toward strengthening the integrity of our state’s elections system.”

The Senate passed HB 4837 to prohibit unapproved third parties from accessing the Qualified Voter File; HB 4838 to ban voting machines and the electronic poll book from being connected to the internet during Election Day; House Bill 4492 to allow for additional polling place locations to be created at a limited list of specific private locations, such as conference centers, clubhouses, and golf course facilities; and HB 4528 to require training for election challengers and increase training for election workers about the role of challengers.

Senate Bill 280 was also approved to require the Board of State Canvassers to complete the canvass of an initiative petition within 100 days after the petition is filed with the Secretary of State’s office. It would also require any petition filed no later than 160 days from the general election to have its canvass completed no later than 100 days before that election.