REVISE ABSENTEE BALLOT DELIVERY DEADLINE

Senate Bill 1094

Sponsor:  Sen. Cameron Brown

House Committee:  Ethics and Elections

Senate Committee:  Campaign and Election Oversight

Complete to 3-16-10

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 1094 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 3-2-10

Senate Bill 1094 would amend the Michigan Election Law to revise the deadline for county clerks to deliver absent voter ballots to township and city clerks.

Now each county clerk must deliver absent voter ballots for each precinct to the clerk of each township and city in the county. The delivery must be at the earliest possible time and at least 45 days before the general November election and the preceding August primary, and at least 20 days before any other election or primary election in the county.

Senate Bill 1094 would delete the 20-day deadline for other elections, and would require that absent voter ballots be delivered at least 45 days before a regular election or special election.

In addition, currently each county clerk must deliver ballots (other than absent voter ballots) and election supplies to the clerk of each township and city in the county at least 10 days before any election or primary election.  Senate Bill 1094 would retain that provision.

Finally, the bill specifies that each city, township, and village clerk would have to adhere to the deadlines described above for elections in which the county did not print the ballots.

MCL 168.714

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on state or local government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Ben Gielczyk

■ 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.