H.B. 5075 (H-2): COMMITTEE SUMMARY

H.B. 5075 (H-2): COMMITTEE SUMMARY - VOTING STATIONS

House Bill 5075 (Substitute H-2 as passed by the House)

Sponsor: Representative Beverly Hammerstrom

Date Completed: 5-27-98

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to specify the minimum number of voting stations in precincts using electronic voting systems; place additional requirements on vendors of electronic voting machines; and require the attendance of certain election officials at a course of instruction.

Currently, the Law requires a sufficient number of voting stations to ensure the orderly conduct of an election, but requires at least one station for each 200 registered voters. The bill would require a minimum of one voting station for each 400 registered voters in a precinct for elections conducted through August 31, 1998, and a minimum of one voting station per 300 registered voters for elections on or after September 1, 1998. Further, the bill specifies that it would be the responsibility of the board of election commissioners of a county, city, village, township, or school district to provide a sufficient number of voting stations needed to ensure the orderly conduct of the election "taking into consideration the projected turnout, the length of the ballot, and the number of voters the voting system can process per hour".

Currently, the Law prescribes various requirements that a vendor or representative must meet when seeking the approval of an electronic voting system by the Board of State Canvassers. The bill further would require vendors or representatives to state the number of voters each component of the voting system could process per hour in 1) an election in which there were 10 or fewer items to be voted on the ballot by each voter; and 2) an election in which the ballot consisted of the number of items typically voted on at a presidential general election in the State. This statement by the vendor would have to be taken into account in the field testing of a new voting system.

Under the current Law, the Secretary of State must establish and require attendance by all new election officials at an initial course of instruction, within six months of the date of the election. The bill would apply this provision to all new appointed or elected election officials, and specify that the initial course would have to be within six months before the date of the election.

MCL 168.31 et al. - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State government.

There could be an increase in costs to local jurisdictions. The bill would require one station per 400 registered voters in a precinct for elections conducted through August 1, 1998, and a minimum of one voting station per 300 registered voters for elections on or after September 1, 1998. Some precincts are already adequately equipped with the appropriate number of voting stations. The cost to each local unit would depend upon both the number of registered voters per precinct and whether each respective precinct is currently equipped with the appropriate number of voting stations.

- Fiscal Analyst: E. LimbsS9798\S5075SA

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.