ABSENTEE VOTER BALLOT AVAILABILITY

House Bill 4981

Sponsor:  Rep. Steve Bieda

Committee:  Local Government and Urban Policy

Complete to 12-8-04

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4981 AS INTRODUCED 7-16-03

House Bill 4981 would amend the Michigan Election Law to make absent voter ballots available to qualified electors without requiring them to state a reason for being absent on election day.  The bill would define “absent voter” to mean a qualified and registered elector who votes without attending the polls on the day of an election.

Currently, the law requires that in order to qualify for an "absent voter ballot," a qualified and registered voter must be 60 years of age or older or else unable to attend the polls on the day of an election due to physical disability, religious tenets, service as an election precinct inspector in another precinct, absence from the township or city during the entire period the polls are open, or confinement in jail awaiting arraignment or trial.  At present, an elector who makes application to vote by absentee ballot must indicate the reason for the application by checking on the application form one the explanations noted above.

MCL 168.758, 759, and 759b

 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                                       

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.