There’s still almost two years until the next election for Governor of Michigan is held — but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-M.I., is already facing stiff competition

Get Michigan Working Again, a PAC run by the Republican Governors Association, unveiled a new website this week to organize their 2022 election campaign against Whitmer.

The name cuts straight to the point: “Fire The Damn Governor!”

Whitmer’s heavy-handed approach to the coronavirus pandemic has been controversial in the state. Recently, her administration’s attempt to silence former health director Robert Gordon after his abrupt resignation in January caused outrage. And reporters in Michigan have reportedly been forced to sue the state to get access to some COVID-19 data that’s common in other states.

The controversial allegations by former President Donald Trump on the state’s handling of the 2020 election have also caused ripples.

Michigan Republicans on Wednesday proposed a slew of election bills that would require voters to submit a photo ID, prohibit the unsolicited mass mailing of absentee ballot applications, and restrict the hours in which people could drop their ballot in curbside boxes.

According to the certified results, Trump lost the state by 154,000 votes, or 2.8-percentage point, to Joe Biden. Republicans have claimed there was voter fraud, but have so far failed to win any meaningful court cases.

At least some of the measures passed by the Republicans appear destined to be vetoed by Whitmer, but others could find bipartisan support.

GOP senators, citing a surge in absentee voting in 2020, said changes are needed to ensure election integrity. The 39-bill package would let 16- and 17-year-olds pre-register to vote and create an “early voting” day 10 days before Election Day.

The proposed ID requirement is sure to be fiercely opposed, though. Michigan now lets people without ID sign an affidavit and vote. Under the legislation, they would instead be given a provisional ballot and have to verify their identity with the local clerk within six days. Voters applying for an absentee ballot also would have to attach a copy of their ID.

 

FLASHBACK: FBI arrest six, charged with plotting to kidnap governor

 

The Associated Press contributed to this article