In a surprise victory for voting rights advocates, Republican Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has refused to sign three bills that would have restricted voting rights in the state. One bill rejected by Snyder would have required voters to show a photo ID in order to obtain an absentee ballot, while a second restricted voter registration drives. Snyder also rejected a bill that would have required residents to check off a box on their ballot stating that they are U.S. citizens. Republican legislators backed the laws as part of what critics call a nationwide push to disenfranchise people of color and other possible Democratic voters ahead of the November election.