BALLOT INSTRUCTIONS: MODIFY S.B. 1012:
SUMMARY AS ENACTED
Senate Bill 1012 (as enacted) PUBLIC ACT 190 of 2018
Sponsor: Senator Dave Robertson
Senate Committee: Elections and Government Reform
House Committee: Elections and Ethics
CONTENT
The bill amended the Michigan Election Law to do the following:
-- Require instructions printed on a ballot secrecy sleeve to state that there "may be multiple party selections", instead of stating that there "are two party selections".
-- Require instructions printed on a ballot secrecy sleeve to direct electors to darken a box on the ballot rather than complete an arrow.
-- Require the Board of State Canvassers or a county board of election commissioners to notify a public officer of a recall petition within three business days, rather than 24 hours, after receiving the petition.
The bill took effect on June 20, 2018.
The Election Law requires specific, ballot-marking instructions to be printed on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve, or placed in a clear pocket on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve, used at a general election. Previously, the General Election, Nonpartisan Election, and Special Election sections of these instructions directed a voter to "complete the arrow opposite each choice". The bill instead directs a voter to "completely darken the box opposite each choice". The bill makes the same change in instructions for write-in candidates.
The Law also requires a petition for the recall of a person holding State or local office to meet certain requirements. Formerly, the Board of State Canvassers, or the board of county election commissioners, within 24 hours after receiving a petition for the recall of a State or local officer, as applicable, was required to notify the officer whose recall was sought of each reason stated in the recall petition and of the date of the meeting of the board to consider whether each reason was factual and of sufficient clarity.
Under the bill, the State and county boards have three business days after receiving a recall petition to notify the officer whose recall is sought of each reason stated in the recall petition and of the date of the meeting.
MCL 168.736b et al. Legislative Analyst: Nathan Leaman
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill will have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
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.