ELECTION RECOUNT FEE                                                                                S.B. 290:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 290 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Dave Robertson

Committee:  Elections and Government Reform

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to require a person petitioning for an election recount to deposit with the clerk of the board of county canvassers or the Bureau of Elections $250 per precinct under the following circumstances:

-- One candidate was to be elected and the percentage differential separating the winning candidate and the petitioner was more than 5.0% of the total number of votes cast in an election.

-- More than one candidate was to be elected and the percentage differential separating the winning candidate who received the least number of votes and the petitioner was more than 5.0% of the total number of votes cast in the election.

Currently, a person petitioning for a recount must file a deposit of $25 per precinct to be recounted. The petitioner must deposit $125 per precinct referred to in the petition if one candidate is to be elected and the official canvass of votes shows that the number of votes separating the winning candidate and the petitioner is more than 50 votes or 0.5% of the total number of votes cast, whichever is greater. The petitioner also must deposit $125 per  precinct if more than one candidate is to be elected and the official canvass shows that the number of votes separating the winning candidate who received the least number of votes and the petitioner is more than 50 votes or 0.5% of the sum of the number of votes received by the two candidates, whichever is greater.

MCL 168.867 & 168.881                                             Legislative Analyst:  Nathan Leaman

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no impact on the Department of State and a positive indeterminate impact on local units of government. Recount costs to local units would be affected to the extent that the $250 per precinct fee deterred recounts, and would bring in additional revenue for those still requested.

Date Completed:  5-9-17                                                     Fiscal Analyst:  Joe Carrasco

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.