FLINT TOWNSHIP, MI – Michigan voters now do not need a reason for requesting and filling out an absentee ballot for future elections.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Flint Township Clerk Kathy Funk announced at a joint press conference that as part of the citizen-led ballot proposal that passed last November that this is the first day citizens can request absentee ballots for no reason.

“In the first election since November ... voters will have the opportunity to vote from home (without providing a reason),” Benson said.

Benson added that it is an important change for the state because it helps to bring Michigan in line with most other states in the country who have similar rules.

Before the proposal passed, absentee voters had to provide a reason for needing an absentee ballot like being 60 years of age or older, or expecting to be out of town on Election Day.

“I’­­m a local business owner (in Flint Township). I work open to close, I’m the only employee in my shop,” said Michael Gordon. “Waiting in line means lost revenue… I was ecstatic that I could vote from work.”

This beginning of no-reason absentee voting also expects to help bring up voter turnout across the state as well in places where it can be low.

“So we did a study already of looking where the lowest turnout areas are in our state,” Benson said, “and while there are some parts of Flint, Genesee County, that do vote in significant numbers there are many that do not and the same holds true in parts of Wayne County and rural counties in our state.”

Benson added that she will be traveling to those areas throughout her term to talk about how important it is to get higher voter turnout.

Funk, who was elected as township clerk in 2016, said that clerk offices around the state do many tasks for their respective cities and counties but running the election is the most important of all.

“The most important one of all is running elections,” Funk said. “It’s like my birthday and Christmas all rolled into one, the energy is palpable at our voting locations…”

Funk said that she would like to see historic voting numbers every election and this new way will help.

She also said they are getting ready for the next election that will take place on May 7.

“The era of non-reason mail-in voting has begun in Michigan and I’m excited about the potential it has to engage more of our fellow citizens in our democracy,” Benson said in a news release.

To download a mail-in ballot visit their website online.