BALLOT DELIVERY DEADLINES H.B. 5530: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]






House Bill 5530 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Jennifer Haase
House Committee: Ethics and Elections
Senate Committee: Campaign and Election Oversight


Date Completed: 2-2-10

CONTENT The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to revise the deadlines for the delivery of absent voter ballots to clerks, and to require city, township, and village clerks to meet certain deadlines for elections in which the county did not print ballots.

The Law requires each county board of commissioners to deliver the ballots required for any regular or special election or official primary election, wrapped and tied as required by the Law, to the county clerk at the earliest possible time after approval of the proof of the ballots. The board also must deliver absent voter ballots to the county clerk at least 47 days before the general November election and the preceding August primary and at least 22 days before any other election or primary. Under the bill, absent voter ballots would have to be delivered to the county clerk at least 47 days before any election or primary.


Under the Law, 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. The bill would delete the 20-day deadline for other elections, and would require that absent voter ballots be delivered at least 45 days before any election or primary election.


In addition, the Law requires each county clerk to 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.


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 168.713 & 168.714 Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco

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. hb5530/0910