MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW

Act 116 of 1954

AN ACT to reorganize, consolidate, and add to the election laws; to provide for election officials and prescribe their powers and duties; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, state agencies, and state and local officials and employees; to provide for the nomination and election of candidates for public office; to provide for the resignation, removal, and recall of certain public officers; to provide for the filling of vacancies in public office; to provide for and regulate primaries and elections; to provide for the purity of elections; to guard against the abuse of the elective franchise; to define violations of this act; to provide appropriations; to prescribe penalties and provide remedies; and to repeal certain acts and all other acts inconsistent with this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995
Popular Name: Election Code




The People of the State of Michigan enact:
Chapter I
DEFINITIONS


168.1 Short title; Michigan election law.

Sec. 1.

   This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Michigan election law".


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Compiler's Notes: The former Michigan election law, consisting of MCL 145.1 to 199.1 and deriving from Act 351 of 1925, was repealed by Act 116 of 1954.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.2 Definitions; A to I.

Sec. 2.

  As used in this act:
  (a) "Absent voter" is a voter who utilizes the process described in section 759.
  (b) "Absent voter ballot" means a ballot that is issued to a voter through the absent voter process.
  (c) "Ballot container" is defined in section 14a.
  (d) "Business day" or "secular day" means a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
  (e) "Clearly observable boundaries" is defined in section 654a.
  (f) "Common carrier" means a company that transports mail, on reasonable request, on regular routes and at set rates.
  (g) "Educational institution" means a public or private institution, or a separate school or department of a public or private institution, that is authorized by law or an accrediting body to grant or issue a diploma, degree, certificate, or license, or to grant approval to practice a profession or engage in an enterprise, and includes, but is not limited to, an academy, high school, college, university, community college, junior college, secondary school, extension course, or a business, nursing, professional, secretarial, technical, or vocational school.
  (h) "Election" means an election or primary election at which the electors of this state or of a subdivision of this state choose or nominate by ballot an individual for public office or decide a ballot question lawfully submitted to them.
  (i) "Election precinct" is defined in section 654.
  (j) "Fall" state and county conventions and "spring" state and county conventions are assigned meanings in section 596.
  (k) "General election" or "general November election" means the election held on the November regular election date in an even numbered year.
  (l) "Identification for election purposes" means, if issued to the individual presenting the card or document and if presented for voting purposes the name on the card or document sufficiently matches the individual's name in the individual's voter registration record so as to accurately identify the individual as the registered elector, or if issued to the individual presenting the card or document and if presented for voter registration purposes, any of the following:
  (i) An operator's or chauffeur's license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, or an enhanced driver license issued under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308.
  (ii) An official state personal identification card issued under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, or an enhanced official state personal identification card issued under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308.
  (iii) A current operator's or chauffeur's license issued by another state.
  (iv) A current state personal identification card issued by another state.
  (v) A current state government issued photo identification card.
  (vi) A current United States passport or federal government issued photo identification card.
  (vii) A current military photo identification card.
  (viii) A current tribal photo identification card.
  (ix) A current photo identification card issued by a local government.
  (x) A current student photo identification card issued by an educational institution.
  (m) "Immediate family" means an individual's father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, and spouse and a relative of any degree residing in the same household as that individual.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 152, Eff. July 1, 1968 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 91, Eff. Apr. 9, 2002 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Apr. 9, 2002 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 129, Imd. Eff. May 3, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 87, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Constitutionality: Legislative attempt in this section to place an interpretation having the effect of law upon the words “civil appointment”, as used in Const 1963, art 4, § 9, is beyond the legislative power. Richardson v Secretary of State, 381 Mich 304; 160 NW2d 883 (1968).
Popular Name: Election Code





168.3 Definitions; L to R.

Sec. 3.

  As used in this act:
  (a) "Locked and sealed" is defined in section 14.
  (b) "Major political party" is defined in section 16.
  (c) "Metal seal" or "seal" is defined in section 14a.
  (d) "Name that was formally changed" means a name changed by a proceeding under chapter XI of the probate code of 1939, 1939 PA 288, MCL 711.1 to 711.3, or former 1915 PA 314, or through a similar, statutorily sanctioned procedure under the law of another state or country.
  (e) "Odd year general election" means the election held on the November regular election date in an odd numbered year.
  (f) "Odd year primary election" means the election held on the August regular election date in an odd numbered year.
  (g) "Primary" or "primary election" is defined in section 7.
  (h) "Regular ballot" means a ballot that is issued to a voter on election day at a polling place location.
  (i) "Qualified elector" is defined in section 10.
  (j) "Qualified voter file" is defined in section 509m.
  (k) "Regular election" means an election held on a regular election date to elect an individual to, or nominate an individual for, elective office in the regular course of the terms of that elective office.
  (l) "Regular election date" means 1 of the dates established as a regular election date in section 641.
  (m) "Residence" is defined in section 11.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.4 Definitions; S to V.

Sec. 4.

  As used in this act:
  (a) "School board" means the governing body of a school district, including the board of trustees of a community college.
  (b) "School board member" means an individual holding the office of school board member under the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1 to 380.1852, or the office of board of trustees member under the community college act of 1966, 1966 PA 331, MCL 389.1 to 389.195. School board member includes a school board member of an intermediate school district if that intermediate school district has adopted sections 615 to 617 of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.615 to 380.617.
  (c) "School district" means a school district, a local act school district, or an intermediate school district, as those terms are defined in the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1 to 380.1852, or a community college district under the community college act of 1966, 1966 PA 331, MCL 389.1 to 389.195.
  (d) "School district election coordinating committee" means 1 of the following:
  (i) For a school district whose entire territory lies within a single city or township, a committee composed of the secretary of the school board or his or her designee, the city or township election commission, and the school district election coordinator.
  (ii) For a school district that has territory in more than 1 city or township, a committee composed of the secretary of the school board or his or her designee, the school district election coordinator, and the clerk of each city or township in which school district territory is located.
  (e) "School district election coordinator" means 1 of the following:
  (i) For a school district whose entire territory lies within a single city or township, the city or township clerk.
  (ii) For a school district that has territory in more than 1 city or township, the county clerk of the county in which the largest number of registered school district electors reside.
  (f) "Special election" means an election to elect an individual to, or nominate an individual for, a partial term in office or to submit a ballot question to the electors.
  (g) "Special primary" means a primary called by competent authority for the nomination of candidates to be voted for at a special election.
  (h) "Uniform voting system" means the type of voting system that is used at all elections in every election precinct throughout the state.
  (i) "Village" is defined in section 9.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 3, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Sept. 30, 2010 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 464, Imd. Eff. Jan. 12, 2015
Popular Name: Election Code





168.5 Repealed. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to definitions of general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.6 "Permanent mail ballot voter" and "Presidential primary ballot selection form" defined.

Sec. 6.

  As used in this act:
  (a) "Permanent mail ballot voter" means a registered elector who submits a signed absent voter ballot application to receive an absent voter ballot by mail for all future elections and whose application has been verified.
  (b) "Presidential primary ballot selection form" means a form, as prescribed by the secretary of state, that a permanent mail ballot voter can use to select, or use to change a prior selection of, the political party ballot that the permanent mail ballot voter wishes to receive for a presidential primary election.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 86, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.6, which pertained to definitions of special election, was repealed by Act 302 of 2003, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.7 Primary or primary election; definition.

Sec. 7.

   The term "primary" or "primary election", as used in this act, shall mean a primary election held for the purpose of deciding by ballot who shall be the nominees for the offices named in this act, or for the election by ballot of delegates to political conventions.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.8 "Clerk's office," "municipal," and "satellite office of a clerk" defined.

Sec. 8.

  As used in this act:
  (a) "Clerk's office" includes a satellite office of a clerk.
  (b) "Municipal" or "municipality" mean a city or township.
  (c) "Satellite office of a clerk" means a place designated by a clerk, and staffed by employees of the clerk or assistants as authorized under section 29, to perform specific duties under this act and to offer specified election administration services to electors of a municipality.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.8, which pertained to definition of special primary, was repealed by Act 302 of 2003, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.9 Village; definition.

Sec. 9.

   The term "village", as used in this act, shall mean an incorporated village. Except where the contrary is clearly indicated, the provisions of this act shall apply to the holding of any general, special or primary election in a village.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.9a Repealed. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to definition of qualified voter file.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.10 "Qualified elector" defined.

Sec. 10.

  (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), the term "qualified elector", as used in this act, means a person who possesses the qualifications of an elector as prescribed in section 1 of article II of the state constitution of 1963 and who has resided in the city or township 30 days.
  (2) For purposes of an election for the office of judge of a municipal court that exercises jurisdiction over another city pursuant to section 9928(3) of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.9928, qualified elector includes a person who meets the constitutional qualifications described in subsection (1) and has resided for 30 days in the other city over which municipal court jurisdiction is exercised. This subsection does not entitle a person to vote on any ballot question except the office of municipal judge under the circumstances prescribed in this subsection.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 3, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 253, Imd. Eff. Dec. 14, 2010
Popular Name: Election Code





168.11 "Residence" defined.

Sec. 11.

  (1) "Residence", as used in this act, for registration and voting purposes means that place at which a person habitually sleeps, keeps his or her personal effects, and has a regular place of lodging. If a person has more than 1 residence, or if a person has a residence separate from that of his or her spouse, that place at which the person resides the greater part of the time shall be his or her official residence for the purposes of this act. This section does not affect existing judicial interpretation of the term residence.
  (2) An elector does not gain or lose a residence while employed in the service of the United States or of this state, while engaged in the navigation of the waters of this state, of the United States, or of the high seas, while a student at an institution of learning, while kept at any state facility or hospital at public expense, or while confined in a jail or prison. Honorably discharged members of the armed forces of the United States or of this state who reside in the veterans' facility established by this state may acquire a residence where the facility is located. The residence of a person who is a patient receiving treatment at a hospital or other facility under the mental health code, 1974 PA 258, MCL 330.1001 to 330.2106, is the village, city, or township where the person resided immediately before admission to the hospital or other facility.
  (3) A member of the armed forces of the United States is not a resident of this state due to being stationed in a military or naval facility within this state.
  (4) For purposes of registering to vote and voting at an election or special election for the office of judge of a municipal court that exercises jurisdiction over another city pursuant to section 9928(3) of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.9928, a person who resides in the other city over which municipal court jurisdiction is exercised is considered a resident of the city in which the municipal court is located and may register for, and vote in, that election in the city in which he or she resides.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 3, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1977, Act 120, Imd. Eff. Oct. 19, 1977 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 253, Imd. Eff. Dec. 14, 2010
Constitutionality: This section, providing that no elector shall be deemed to have gained a residence while a student at any institution of learning, violates Const 1963, art 1, § 17 and US Const, amend XIV, § 1. Wilkins v Ann Arbor City Clerk, 385 Mich 670; 189 NW2d 423 (1971).
Popular Name: Election Code





168.12 Repealed. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to definition of family.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.13 Time limits; extension due to holiday, exception.

Sec. 13.

  (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law to the contrary, and except as otherwise provided under subsection (2), anything required by this act to be done by a day certain, if that day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, may be done within the same time limits on the next secular day.
  (2) This section does not apply to either of the following:
  (a) The final day for applying for an absent voter ballot.
  (b) Any deadline provided for under section 845a.
  
  


History: Add. 1967, Act 57, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 255, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.14 Locked and sealed; definition.

Sec. 14.

   The term "locked and sealed", or terms of similar import, when used in this act to refer to locking and sealing of ballot boxes means sealed with a numbered flat metal seal furnished by the election commission and do not mean that a padlock is required.


History: Add. 1969, Act 127, Eff. Mar. 20, 1970
Popular Name: Election Code





168.14a “Ballot container” and “metal seal” or “seal” defined.

Sec. 14a.

   As used in this act:
  (a) "Ballot container" means a container that is used for transporting and storing voted ballots, as described and approved under section 24j.
  (b) "Metal seal" or "seal" means a seal of high tensile strength that is approved by the secretary of state under section 36.


History: Add. 1992, Act 8, Imd. Eff. Mar. 10, 1992 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 207, Imd. Eff. June 27, 2000
Popular Name: Election Code





168.14b Repealed. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section defined "absent voter ballot secrecy envelope container".
Popular Name: Election Code





168.15 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to number of signatures on nominating petition.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.16 “Major political party” defined.

Sec. 16.

   As used in this act, "major political party" means each of the 2 political parties whose candidate for the office of secretary of state received the highest and second highest number of votes at the immediately preceding general election in which a secretary of state was elected.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.17 "Metropolitan district" and "metropolitan district election coordinator" defined.

Sec. 17.

  As used in this act:
  (a) "Metropolitan district" means a district incorporated under the metropolitan district act, 1929 PA 312, MCL 119.1 to 119.18.
  (b) "Metropolitan district election coordinator" means the county clerk of the county in which the largest number of registered electors of the metropolitan district reside.


History: Add. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.18 Definitions.

Sec. 18.

   As used in this act:
  (a) "Help America vote act of 2002" means the help America vote act of 2002, 42 USC 15301 to 15545.
  (b) "National voter registration act of 1993" means the national voter registration act of 1993, 42 USC 1973gg to 1973gg-10.
  (c) "Uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting act" means the uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting act, 42 USC 1973ff to 1973ff-6.
  (d) "Voting accessibility for the elderly and handicapped act" means the voting accessibility for the elderly and handicapped act, 42 USC 1973ee to 1973ee-6.
  (e) "Voting rights act of 1965" means the voting rights act of 1965, 42 USC 1973 to 1973aa-6.


History: Add. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004
Popular Name: Election Code





168.18a "United States Department of Defense verified electronic signature" defined.

Sec. 18a.

  As used in this act, "United States Department of Defense verified electronic signature" means the certificate-based digital identification code issued to qualified personnel by the United States Department of Defense as part of the Common Access Card, or its successor.
  
  


History: Add. 2022, Act 196, Imd. Eff. Oct. 7, 2022
Popular Name: Election Code





168.19 "Physical disability" defined.

Sec. 19.

  As used in this act, "physical disability" means that term as defined in section 6 of the adult foster care facility licensing act, 1979 PA 218, MCL 400.706.


History: Add. 2014, Act 79, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 2014
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter II.
BOARDS OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS, BOARDS OF CANVASSERS, AND CLERKS


168.21 Secretary of state; chief election officer, powers and duties.

Sec. 21.

   The secretary of state shall be the chief election officer of the state and shall have supervisory control over local election officials in the performance of their duties under the provisions of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.22 Board of state canvassers; continuation as provided in former act; duties; membership.

Sec. 22.

  (1) A board of state canvassers is continued as previously provided for in section 1 of former Act No. 239 of the Public Acts of 1955. This section and sections 22a to 22g are subject to section 7 of article II of the state constitution of 1963.
  (2) The board of state canvassers has the duties prescribed in section 841. The board of state canvassers shall perform other duties as prescribed in this act.
  (3) A member of the board of state canvassers on the effective date of this section continues to be a member of the board of state canvassers for the remainder of the term to which he or she was appointed. Subject to this subsection, the board of state canvassers consists of the 4 members appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. The board of state canvassers shall consist of 2 members from each major political party appointed in the manner provided in section 22a.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.22, which provided for composition of board of state canvassers, was repealed by Act 37 of 1956, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 1956.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.22a Board of state canvassers; submission of nominees to governor; appointment; vacancy; failure to submit nominees; appointee declining to serve.

Sec. 22a.

  (1) On or before the fifteenth day of January in an odd numbered year, both of the following must occur:
  (a) The state central committee of each major political party shall submit to the governor the names of 3 individuals as nominees for each position that is up for reappointment that the major political party is entitled to on the board of state canvassers.
  (b) The senate majority leader, senate minority leader, speaker of the house of representatives, and house minority leader shall each submit the name of 1 individual as a nominee for each position that is up for reappointment that the major political party is entitled to on the board of state canvassers.
  (2) On or before the twentieth day of January in an odd numbered year, the governor shall appoint 1 individual from the 5 individuals nominated to each position of the political party on the board of state canvassers.
  (3) If a vacancy in the office of a member of the board of state canvassers occurs other than the expiration of a term, the state central committee of the appropriate major political party shall submit to the governor the names of 3 individuals as nominees for the vacant position on or before the tenth day following the date of the vacancy. In addition, on or before the tenth day following the date of the vacancy on the board of state canvassers, the majority or minority leaders in the senate and house of representatives who represent the same major political party as the vacating member on the board of state canvassers shall each submit the name of 1 individual as a nominee for the vacant position.
  (4) On or before the thirtieth day following the date of the vacancy, the governor shall appoint 1 individual from the 5 individuals nominated to the vacant position. A member appointed to the board of state canvassers under this subsection shall serve for the remainder of the vacant term.
  (5) If the state central committee of a major political party and the majority or minority leaders in the senate and house of representatives of that same major political party fail to submit the names of nominees within the prescribed period of time in subsection (1) or (3), the governor shall appoint to the board of state canvassers an individual who was formerly elected as a state officer as a member of the appropriate major political party and who is currently affiliated with that political party. If an individual appointed by the governor under subsection (2) or (4) declines to serve, the governor shall do 1 of the following:
  (a) Appoint another individual from the 5 individuals nominated by the major political party under subsection (1) or (3) to that position on the board of state canvassers.
  (b) Appoint an individual who was formerly elected as a state officer as a member of the appropriate major political party and who is currently affiliated with that political party to that position on the board of state canvassers.
  
  


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 269, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.22b Board of state canvassers; term of office.

Sec. 22b.

  The term of office of a member of the board of state canvassers appointed under section 22a(2) is 4 years, which term begins on the February 1 immediately following the appointment. A member of the board of state canvassers shall hold office until the member's successor is appointed and qualified.
  
  


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 269, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.22c Board of state canvassers; qualifications; oath.

Sec. 22c.

   A member of the board of state canvassers shall be a qualified and registered elector of this state. Before taking office, a member of the board of state canvassers shall take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office prescribed in section 1 of article XI of the state constitution of 1963.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.22d Board of state canvassers; meetings; quorum; election of chairperson and vice-chairperson.

Sec. 22d.

  (1) The board of state canvassers shall meet as necessary to conduct the business of the board. The board of state canvassers shall conduct its meetings pursuant to this act and the open meetings act, Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 15.261 to 15.275 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
  (2) Three members of the board of state canvassers constitute a quorum of the board. However, an action of the board of state canvassers shall only be effective upon concurrence of at least 1 member of each major political party appointed to the board.
  (3) In February of each odd numbered year, the board of state canvassers shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from its members.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.22e Board of state canvassers; approval of statement of purpose; notice of meeting; person to address meeting.

Sec. 22e.

  (1) The board of state canvassers shall meet to consider and approve a statement of the purpose of a proposed constitutional amendment or other ballot question prepared pursuant to section 32. The board of state canvassers shall give not less than 3 full business days' notice to the public of a meeting held under this subsection. The board of state canvassers shall also give not less than 3 full business days' notice to all of the following:
  (a) The legally or generally recognized sponsor of the proposed constitutional amendment or other ballot question, if any.
  (b) The legislative sponsor of the proposed constitutional amendment or ballot question, if any.
  (c) The senate majority leader.
  (d) The speaker of the house of representatives.
  (e) The minority leaders of the senate and the house of representatives.
  (f) A legislator who does not receive notice under subdivisions (c), (d), or (e).
  (2) The board of state canvassers shall publicly request and allow a person described in subsection (1)(a) or (b), or a representative of that person, to address a meeting held under this section.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.22f Board of state canvassers; expenses and compensation of members.

Sec. 22f.

   A member of the board of state canvassers is entitled to actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his or her official duties. A member of the board of state canvassers shall receive $75.00 for each day's actual physical attendance at a meeting of the board of state canvassers. A member of the board of state canvassers shall not receive any other compensation for the performance of those duties.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.22g Expenses for services performed by office of secretary of state.

Sec. 22g.

   Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, if authorized jointly by the board of state canvassers and the secretary of state, all expenses incurred for services performed by the office of the secretary of state for the board of state canvassers shall be charged against funds appropriated to the board of state canvassers and credited to the secretary of state.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.23 Board of county election commissioners; membership; quorum; officers; absence or disqualification of member; appointment of county officer; board member involved in recall of officer.

Sec. 23.

  (1) The chief or only judge of probate of the county or probate court district, the county clerk, and the county treasurer shall constitute a board of county election commissioners for each county. The chief or only judge of probate of the county or probate court district and the county clerk shall act respectively as chairperson and secretary of the board. In the absence or disqualification of the county clerk from any meeting of the board of county election commissioners, the board may select 1 of the county clerk's deputies to act in the county clerk's place. In the absence or disqualification of any member of the board of county election commissioners other than the county clerk, the members of the board who are present shall appoint the county prosecuting attorney, county sheriff, or register of deeds in the absent or disqualified member's place, and the appointed county officer, on being notified, shall attend without delay and act as a member of the board.
  (2) If a member of the board is involved in the recall of an officer, either by assisting in the preparation of the petition for recall or by being an officer whose recall is sought, then the member of the board is disqualified with respect to any determination under section 952 and must be replaced as provided in this section.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 456, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 1982 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 614, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.24 Repealed. 1963, Act 237, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for election of board of county canvassers, clerk, compensation, disqualification.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.24a Board of county canvassers; establishment; powers and duties; conduct of recounts; school district election; costs; abolishment of boards of canvassers; appointment and terms of members; applicability of section.

Sec. 24a.

  (1) A 4-member board of county canvassers is established in every county in this state. All of the powers granted to and duties required by law to be performed by all boards of canvassers established by law, other than the board of state canvassers, are granted to and required to be performed by the board of county canvassers.
  (2) The board of county canvassers shall conduct all recounts of elections in cities, townships, villages, school districts, metropolitan districts, or any other districts and be vested with all of the powers and required to perform all the duties in connection with any recount.
  (3) If a city, village, metropolitan district, or any other district, other than a school district, lies in more than 1 county, and a duty is to be performed by the board of county canvassers, the board of county canvassers in the county in which the greatest number of registered voters of the city, village, metropolitan district or other district resides at the close of registration for the election involved shall perform the duty.
  (4) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if a school district lies in more than 1 county, the board of county canvassers for each county in which a portion of the school district lies shall canvass that portion of a school district election that is held in that county. If a school district election precinct lies in more than 1 county, the board of county canvassers of the county in which the largest number of registered electors of that precinct reside shall canvass the results of that precinct. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding 2 sentences, unless the school district election is conducted on the same date as another election in the county, a board of county canvassers that is not responsible for certifying the results of the school district election is not required to meet to canvass the school district election and the board of county canvassers responsible for certifying the results of the school district election shall canvass that portion of the school district election held in that county. Upon completion of the canvass, the clerk of the board of county canvassers shall transmit the canvassed results to the county clerk of the county in which the largest number of registered electors of that school district reside. Upon receipt of the canvassed results, the county clerk of the county in which the largest number of registered electors of that school district reside shall make a statement of returns and certify the results of the school district election to the secretary of the school board. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this subsection, if a city or village that lies in more than 1 county conducts an election on the same date as a school district that lies within the city or village that is conducting an election, that portion of the school district election held within that city or village shall be canvassed by the canvassing board responsible for canvassing the city or village election.
  (5) The cost of canvass of school, metropolitan district, city, township, and village elections shall be borne by the school district, metropolitan district, city, township, or village holding the election, and upon presentation of a bill for the costs incurred by the board of county canvassers, the school district, metropolitan district, city, township, or village shall reimburse the county treasurer.
  (6) All boards of canvassers provided for in law including boards of school canvassers, the duties of which are by this act required to be performed by boards of county canvassers, are abolished.
  (7) Members of the board of county canvassers shall be appointed for terms of 4 years beginning on November 1 following their appointment. Of the members first appointed, 1 member of each of the political parties represented on the board of county canvassers shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and 1 for a term of 2 years. The county clerk shall notify members of the board of county canvassers of their appointment within 5 days of being appointed.
  (8) This section applies to all elections, any charter provision to the contrary notwithstanding.


History: Add. 1963, Act 237, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 65, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 65, Eff. July 1, 1968 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 108, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 154, Imd. Eff. May 17, 1982 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 52, Imd. Eff. Apr. 22, 2010 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Section 3 of Act 65 of 1968 provides:"This act shall take effect on July 1, 1968, except in any county with a population of 400,000 or more it shall take effect on July 1, 1970."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.24b Board of county canvassers; members, eligibility, oath of office, holding other office prohibited.

Sec. 24b.

   Members of the board shall be qualified electors of the county and shall take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office.
   No person holding an elective public office shall be eligible for membership on the board of county canvassers. If any member of the board of county canvassers, during his term of office, becomes a candidate for any elective public office, his office shall be vacant.


History: Add. 1963, Act 237, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.24c Board of county canvassers; members; selection; procedure; vacancy.

Sec. 24c.

  (1) Selection of the members of the board of county canvassers shall be made from each of the 2 political parties casting the greatest number of votes for secretary of state at the preceding general November election in that county. A political party shall not be represented by more than 2 members on the board of county canvassers at any 1 time.
  (2) The county committee of each political party, not later than September 1, 1963 and not later than September 1 of each odd numbered year thereafter, shall submit to the county clerk the names of 3 interested persons for each position to which the party is entitled. In a county having 2 or more congressional districts within its boundaries, the chairpersons of the congressional district committees shall act as the county committee for the purposes of this section and section 24d and shall select 1 of their number to act as chairperson for these purposes.
  (3) The county board of commissioners, within 10 days after convening for their annual meeting, shall elect by ballot to each position 1 of the 3 nominees for the position, and the board shall appoint the person to the position. Before electing a nominee to the board of county canvassers under this subsection, the county board of commissioners may request that a nominee provide any of the following in order to determine whether the nominee is qualified for and interested in the position on the board of county canvassers:
  (a) A letter signed by the nominee indicating an interest in serving on the board of county canvassers and indicating an intent to discharge the duties of the position on the board of county canvassers to the best of his or her ability.
  (b) Prior election experience including canvassing elections.
  (c) Information on whether the nominee has been convicted of a felony or election crime.
  (4) Failure of the county board of commissioners to appoint 1 of the nominees for a position on the board of county canvassers within 10 days after convening for their annual meeting shall result in a vacancy existing in the position, which shall be filled as provided in section 24d for the filling of vacancies on the board of county canvassers.


History: Add. 1963, Act 237, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 463, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2006
Popular Name: Election Code





168.24d Board of county canvassers; vacancy.

Sec. 24d.

  (1) If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the board of county canvassers, the county clerk shall immediately give notice of the vacancy to the chairperson of the county committee of the political party entitled to fill the vacancy.
  (2) The county committee of the political party entitled to fill a vacancy on the board of county canvassers, within 10 days after receiving information concerning the vacancy, shall nominate 3 interested persons for the position and submit the list of nominees to the county clerk.
  (3) The county clerk, within 10 days from receipt of the list of nominees, shall appoint 1 of the nominees to the board of county canvassers. Before appointing a nominee to the board of county canvassers under this subsection, the county clerk may request that a nominee provide any of the following in order to determine whether the nominee is qualified for and interested in the position on the board of county canvassers:
  (a) A letter signed by the nominee indicating an interest in serving on the board of county canvassers and indicating an intent to discharge the duties of the position on the board of county canvassers to the best of his or her ability.
  (b) Prior election experience including canvassing elections.
  (c) Information on whether the nominee has been convicted of a felony or election crime.
  (4) A person appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of county canvassers shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term.


History: Add. 1963, Act 237, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 463, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2006
Popular Name: Election Code





168.24e Board of county canvassers; meetings; election of officers; quorum, action; clerk; assistants, compensation.

Sec. 24e.

  (1) The board shall meet as necessary to transact their business, and during the month of January in each even numbered year elect 1 of their members chairperson and 1 as vice-chairperson. Any 3 members constitute a quorum, but no action becomes effective unless 1 member from each political party represented concurs in the action.
  (2) The county clerk is the clerk of the board of county canvassers. The county clerk may employ any assistants as are necessary to adequately perform the duties of the board. The payment for the assistants must be in amounts authorized by the county clerk and must be paid from an appropriation made for that purpose by the county board of commissioners before the canvass.


History: Add. 1963, Act 237, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 614, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019
Popular Name: Election Code





168.24f Repealed. 2018, Act 614, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to payments for meetings and reimbursement of expenses for members of the board of county canvassers in certain counties.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.24g Repealed. 1996, Act 268, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to compensation and expenses of board of state canvassers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.24h Repealed. 2018, Act 614, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to payments for meetings, recounts, and reimbursement of expenses for members of the board of county canvassers in certain counties.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.24j Ballot container; examination by board of county canvassers; approval; procurement; use of disapproved container.

Sec. 24j.

  (1) A ballot container includes a ballot box, transfer case, or other container used to secure ballots, including optical scan ballots and electronic voting systems and data.
  (2) A manufacturer or distributor of ballot containers shall submit a nonmetal ballot container to the secretary of state for approval under the requirements of subsection (3) before the ballot container is sold to a county, city, township, village, or school district for use at an election.
  (3) A ballot container shall not be approved unless it meets both of the following requirements:
  (a) It is made of metal, plastic, fiberglass, or other material, that provides resistance to tampering.
  (b) It is capable of being sealed with a metal seal.
  (4) Before June 1 of 2002, and every fourth year after 2002, a county board of canvassers shall examine each ballot container to be used in any election conducted under this act. The board shall designate on the ballot container that the ballot container does or does not meet the requirements under subsection (3). A ballot container that has not been approved by the board shall not be used to store voted ballots.
  (5) A city, village, or township clerk may procure ballot containers as provided in section 669 and as approved under this section.
  (6) A clerk who uses or permits the use of a ballot container that has not been approved under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.


History: Add. 1969, Act 184, Eff. Mar. 20, 1970 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 207, Imd. Eff. June 27, 2000
Popular Name: Election Code





168.24k Repealed. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to the requirements for approval of absent voter ballot secrecy envelope containers and penalties for use of unapproved containers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.25 Board of city election commissioners; membership, quorum, chairman; absences, appointment of acting member.

Sec. 25.

   Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, unless otherwise provided by a charter adopted by a majority vote of the people voting on the adoption thereof, the city clerk, the city attorney and the city assessor shall constitute the board of city election commissioners for each city, 2 of whom shall be a quorum for the transaction of business. The city clerk shall act as chairman of the board. Should only 1 of said officers be in attendance on the day appointed for a meeting of the board, the officer in attendance shall appoint a qualified and registered elector of said city to act in the absentee's stead, during the period of nonattendance.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 231, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 65, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.26 Board of township election commissioners; membership, quorum, chairman; absences, appointment of acting member.

Sec. 26.

   Unless otherwise provided by charter, the supervisor, clerk and township treasurer shall constitute the board of township election commissioners for each township, 2 of whom shall be a quorum for the transaction of business. The township clerk shall act as chairman of the board. Should only 1 of said officers be in attendance on the day appointed for a meeting of the board, the officer in attendance shall appoint a qualified and registered elector of the township to act in the absentee's stead during the period of nonattendance.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 65, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.27 Board of village election commissioners; membership, quorum, chairman; absences, appointment of acting member.

Sec. 27.

   Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, unless otherwise provided by a charter adopted by a majority vote of the people voting on the adoption thereof, the president, clerk and treasurer shall constitute the board of village election commissioners for each village, 2 of whom shall be a quorum for the transaction of business. The village clerk shall act as chairman of the board. Should only 1 of said officers be in attendance on the day appointed for a meeting of the board, the village assessor shall act in the absentee's stead during the period of nonattendance.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 231, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 65, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.28 Boards of election commissioners and boards of canvassers; compensation.

Sec. 28.

  Members of the various boards of election commissioners and any other person charged with duties in connection with the conduct of primaries, elections, canvassing of returns, and recounts must receive compensation as is determined by the legislative body of this state, the county, the city, the township, or the village, as applicable. The county board of commissioners shall consult with the county clerk to determine the compensation for the board of county canvassers and any assistants employed by the county board of canvassers.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 614, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019
Popular Name: Election Code





168.29 Appointment of assistants by clerk of county, township, city, or village; discrimination prohibited; authority, duties, oath, and compensation of assistants; instruction.

Sec. 29.

  (1) The clerk of each county, township, city, and village may appoint a number of assistants as may be necessary to carry out the general provisions of the election law. The clerk of a county, township, city, or village shall consider an application for the appointment of an assistant without regard to age, socioeconomic status, sex, race, national origin, religion, political affiliation, or any disability the applicant may have.
  (2) Assistants appointed under this section shall possess only the authority conferred upon them by the county, township, city, or village clerk appointing them, and shall perform only those duties that are assigned to them by the clerk. Before an assistant enters upon the discharge of his or her duties, the assistant shall take and subscribe to the oath of office as provided in section 1 of article XI of the state constitution of 1963, which shall be filed in the office of the county, township, city, or village clerk who appointed the assistant and shall be properly instructed by the county, township, city, or village clerk in the duties the assistant is assigned to perform. An assistant may receive compensation as may be fixed by a township board or the legislative body of a county, city, or village.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 65, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 186, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 266, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1978 ;-- Am. 1979, Act 54, Imd. Eff. July 11, 1979 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 142, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1989 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 21, Imd. Eff. Mar. 12, 1998
Popular Name: Election Code





168.30 Providing clerk with permanent postal mailing address and electronic mailing address.

Sec. 30.

   Not later than 30 days after the effective date of this section, each county, township, city, or village shall provide its clerk with a permanent postal mailing address and each county shall provide its clerk with an electronic mailing address. Each clerk shall notify the secretary of state in writing of any address required to be provided under this section. Not later than 3 business days after a change in the postal mailing address of the office of a county, township, city, or village clerk, or the electronic mailing address of a county clerk, the clerk shall notify the secretary of state in writing of the new address.


History: Add. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999
Popular Name: Election Code





168.30a Repealed. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to powers, duties of, and membership on, board of city or township canvassers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.30b Repealed. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to qualifications of, and appointment of members to, board of city or township canvassers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.30c Repealed. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to selection of members for board of city or township canvassers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.30d Repealed. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to meetings of, and election of officers to, board of city or township canvassers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.30e Repealed. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to compensation and expenses of members of board of city or township canvassers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.30f Repealed. 1968, Act 65, Eff. July 1, 1968.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to combination of governmental units for board of canvassers, expenses, and withdrawal.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.30g Board of county canvassers; absences, appointment of temporary members, qualifications, length of service.

Sec. 30g.

  If a board of county canvassers created under this act is required to perform its statutory duties and because of illness or absence of members of the board of county canvassers a quorum is not present, the clerk of the county may appoint a sufficient number of temporary members to constitute a quorum. The appointment shall be made by the county clerk from party recommendations on file, if available. The appointments shall be of the same political party as the ill or absent members of the board of county canvassers. A temporary appointee to the board of county canvassers must possess all of the qualifications required for regular membership on that board of county canvassers. Temporary appointees shall serve only until the business on hand has been transacted.


History: Add. 1966, Act 65, Imd. Eff. June 9, 1966 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 65, Eff. July 1, 1968 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Section 3 of Act 65 of 1968 provides: “This act shall take effect on July 1, 1968, except in any county with a population of 400,000 or more it shall take effect on July 1, 1970.”
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter III
DUTIES OF SECRETARY OF STATE


168.31 Secretary of state; duties as to elections; rules.

Sec. 31.

  (1) The secretary of state shall do all of the following:
  (a) Subject to subsection (2), issue instructions and promulgate rules pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328, for the conduct of elections and registrations in accordance with the laws of this state.
  (b) Advise and direct local election officials as to the proper methods of conducting elections.
  (c) Publish and furnish for the use in each election precinct before each state primary and election a manual of instructions that includes specific instructions on assisting voters in casting their ballots, directions on the location of voting stations in polling places, procedures and forms for processing challenges, and procedures on prohibiting campaigning in the polling places as prescribed in this act.
  (d) Publish indexed pamphlet copies of the registration, primary, and election laws and furnish to the various county, city, township, and village clerks a sufficient number of copies for their own use and to enable them to include 1 copy with the election supplies furnished each precinct board of election inspectors under their respective jurisdictions. The secretary of state may furnish single copies of the publications to organizations or individuals who request the same for purposes of instruction or public reference.
  (e) Prescribe and require uniform forms, notices, and supplies the secretary of state considers advisable for use in the conduct of elections and registrations.
  (f) Prepare the form of ballot for any proposed amendment to the constitution or proposal under the initiative or referendum provision of the constitution to be submitted to the voters of this state.
  (g) Require reports from the local election officials the secretary of state considers necessary.
  (h) Investigate, or cause to be investigated by local authorities, the administration of election laws, and report violations of the election laws and regulations to the attorney general or prosecuting attorney, or both, for prosecution.
  (i) Publish in the legislative manual the vote for governor and secretary of state by townships and wards and the vote for members of the state legislature cast at the preceding November election, which shall be returned to the secretary of state by the county clerks on or before the first day of December following the election. All clerks shall furnish to the secretary of state, promptly and without compensation, any further information requested of them to be used in the compilation of the legislative manual.
  (j) Establish a curriculum for comprehensive training and accreditation of all county, city, township, and village officials who are responsible for conducting elections.
  (k) Establish a continuing election education program for all county, city, township, and village clerks.
  (l) Establish and require attendance by all new appointed or elected election officials at an initial course of instruction within 6 months before the date of the election.
  (m) Establish a comprehensive training curriculum for all precinct inspectors.
  (n) Create an election day dispute resolution team that has regional representatives of the department of state, which team shall appear on site, if necessary.
  (2) Pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328, the secretary of state shall promulgate rules establishing uniform standards for state and local nominating, recall, and ballot question petition signatures. The standards for petition signatures may include, but need not be limited to, standards for all of the following:
  (a) Determining the validity of registration of a circulator or individual signing a petition.
  (b) Determining the genuineness of the signature of a circulator or individual signing a petition, including digitized signatures.
  (c) Proper designation of the place of registration of a circulator or individual signing a petition.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 249, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 215, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1998 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 220, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Eff. Jan. 1, 2007 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 271, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001—AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:—Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.—Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.—Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.—Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.—Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.—Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code
Admin Rule: R 168.771 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.





168.31a Election audit; procedures.

Sec. 31a.

  (1) In order to ensure compliance with the provisions of this act, after each election the secretary of state may audit election precincts.
  (2) The secretary of state shall prescribe the procedures for election audits that include reviewing the documents, ballots, and procedures used during an election as required in section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. The secretary of state and, except as otherwise provided under subsection (3), county clerks shall conduct election audits, including statewide election audits, as set forth in the prescribed procedures. The secretary of state shall train and certify county clerks, the county clerk's staffs, and, if required under subsection (3), the designee of a county clerk, for the purpose of conducting election audits of precincts randomly selected by the secretary of state in the counties. An election audit must include an audit of the results of at least 1 race in each precinct selected for an audit. A statewide election audit must include an audit of the results of at least 1 statewide race or statewide ballot question in a precinct selected for an audit. An audit conducted under this section is not a recount and does not change any certified election results. The secretary of state shall supervise each county clerk, or the county clerk's designee as provided under subsection (3), in the performance of election audits conducted under this section.
  (3) If a county clerk is an officer or member of the governing body of a national, state, or local political party, or is a precinct delegate of a political party, that county clerk is prohibited from having any role in the direction, supervision, or conduct of an election audit, and that county clerk must, subject to this subsection, appoint a designee to conduct any election audit in that county. The county clerk shall not appoint a designee who is an officer or member of the governing body of a national, state, or local political party, or is a precinct delegate of a political party.
  (4) Each county clerk, or the designee of a county clerk as provided under subsection (3), who conducts an election audit under this section shall provide the results of the election audit to the secretary of state within 20 days after the election audit.
  


History: Add. 2012, Act 271, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 254, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.32 Bureau of elections; director of elections; appointment; powers and duties; statement of purpose of proposed amendment or question.

Sec. 32.

  (1) In the office of the secretary of state, the bureau of elections created by former 1951 PA 65 continues under the supervision of a director of elections, to be appointed by the secretary of state under civil service regulations. The director of elections shall be vested with the powers and shall perform the duties of the secretary of state under his or her supervision, with respect to the supervision and administration of the election laws. The director of elections shall be a nonmember secretary of the state board of canvassers.
  (2) The director of elections, with the approval of the state board of canvassers, shall prepare a statement for designation on the ballot in not more than 100 words, exclusive of caption, of the purpose of any proposed amendment or question to be submitted to the electors as required under section 9 of article II, section 34 of article IV if the legislature does not provide for the content of the question to be submitted to the electors, or section 1 or 2 of article XII of the state constitution of 1963. The statement shall consist of a true and impartial statement of the purpose of the amendment or question in such language as shall create no prejudice for or against the proposed amendment or question. The powers and duties of the state board of canvassers and the secretary of state with respect to the preparation of the statement are transferred to the director of elections. The secretary of state shall certify the statement of the purpose of any proposed amendment or question to be submitted to the electors not later than 60 days before the date of the election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 251, Imd. Eff. May 28, 1964 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 79, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 2014
Compiler's Notes: Act 65 of 1951, referred to in this section, was repealed by Act 116 of 1954.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.33 Training schools on conducting elections in accordance with election laws; conduct; continuing election education training courses.

Sec. 33.

  (1) The director of elections shall conduct training schools throughout this state before the general November election, and before other elections as the director considers advisable, for county clerks and their representatives with respect to the conducting of elections in accordance with the election laws. Included in this training shall be instruction on the uniform voting system. If a county clerk fails to conduct in his or her county a training school for election boards within the county, the director of elections shall conduct the training school, the cost of the training school to be charged as an obligation of the county.
  (2) The director of elections shall train all county, city, and township clerks who are involved in the training of precinct inspectors. The training shall include team training and monitoring of their performance as trainers.
  (3) The director of elections shall conduct all precinct inspector training in counties where the clerk has not been accredited to conduct the training schools.
  (4) The director of elections shall conduct continuing election education training courses for county, city, township, and village clerks to attend. Each county, city, township, and village clerk is required to attend and complete continuing election education training at least once every 2 years to maintain accreditation as a clerk. The department of state is responsible for providing continuing election education training to the clerks at no charge to the clerks, counties, cities, townships, or villages.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 251, Imd. Eff. May 28, 1964 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 91, Eff. Apr. 9, 2002 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 271, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.34 Director of elections; restrictions.

Sec. 34.

   The director of elections shall perform no other duties which will interfere with his duties as director of elections.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.35 Assistants to director; employment, expenses.

Sec. 35.

   The secretary of state is authorized to employ such assistants to the director of elections and incur such expenses as shall be necessary in carrying out the supervision of the election laws of this state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.36 Seal.

Sec. 36.

   The secretary of state may approve seals to be used for the same purpose as metal seals when required by this act. The secretary of state shall only approve a seal under this section if that seal meets all of the following requirements:
  (a) Is designed and manufactured for the purpose of proving authenticity, attesting to accuracy, or closing to outside interference or influence.
  (b) Is made out of metal, plastic, fiberglass, or any combination of these materials that would provide resistance to or evidence of a force tending to break the seal.
  (c) Contains an embossed or imprinted serial number.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.37 Uniform voting system; advisory committee; selection; notice of selection; schedule for acquisition and implementation; repetition of process.

Sec. 37.

  (1) The secretary of state shall select a uniform voting system under the provisions of this section. The secretary of state shall convene an advisory committee on the selection of the uniform voting system, whose membership represents county, city, and township election officials and other relevant organizations. In addition, the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives and the majority and minority leaders of the senate may each appoint 1 advisory committee member.
  (2) The secretary of state may conduct tests of a voting system in order to select the uniform voting system. The secretary of state shall not consider a voting system for selection as the uniform voting system unless the voting system is approved and certified as provided in section 795a. At the secretary of state's request, the board of state canvassers shall perform the approval and certification review, as provided in section 795a, of a voting system that the secretary of state wants to consider for selection as the uniform voting system.
  (3) When the uniform voting system is selected or at an earlier time that the secretary of state considers advisable, the secretary of state shall notify each county, city, and township about the selection or impending selection of the uniform voting system. A governmental unit that is notified under this subsection shall not purchase or enter into a contract to purchase a voting system other than the uniform voting system after receipt of the notice.
  (4) After selection of the uniform voting system, the secretary of state shall establish a schedule for acquisition and implementation of the uniform voting system throughout this state. The secretary of state may devise a schedule that institutes the uniform voting system over several election cycles. The secretary of state shall widely publicize the schedule and changes to the schedule. If, however, a jurisdiction has acquired a new voting system within 8 years before the jurisdiction receives notice from the secretary of state under subsection (3), that jurisdiction is not required to acquire and use the uniform voting system until the expiration of 10 years after the date of the original purchase of the equipment.
  (5) If, after selection of the uniform voting system, the secretary of state determines that the uniform voting system no longer serves the welfare of the voters or has become out of date in regards to voting system technology, the secretary of state may repeat the process for selecting the uniform voting system authorized under this section.
  (6) This section does not apply until money is appropriated for the purpose of selecting, acquiring, and implementing the uniform voting system. If federal money becomes available for the purposes described in this section, the secretary of state shall, and the legislature intends to, take the steps necessary to qualify for and appropriate that money for the purposes described in this section.


History: Add. 2002, Act 91, Eff. Apr. 9, 2002 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.37a Determination of electronic voting system by clerk; criteria.

Sec. 37a.

  The secretary of state shall allow a county clerk, in consultation with the clerk of each city and township located in that county, to determine which electronic voting system will be used in the county as long as the electronic voting system selected meets both of the following criteria:
  (a) The electronic voting system is the same type of electronic voting system as the uniform voting system.
  (b) The electronic voting system is approved and certified as provided in section 795a.


History: Add. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.37b Use of electronic voting system; contract between governing bodies of governmental units.

Sec. 37b.

  The governing body of a governmental unit in this state may contract with the governing body of another governmental unit in this state with regard to the use of the electronic voting system owned by either of the contracting units.


History: Add. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.38 Poster indicating ballot coaching prohibited.

Sec. 38.

  (1) The secretary of state shall develop a poster that explains ballot coaching and that indicates that ballot coaching is prohibited.
  (2) The secretary of state shall provide to each residential care facility in this state at least 1 poster as described in subsection (1).
  (3) For the period beginning 45 days before each election and continuing through election day, the owner, operator, or facility director of a residential care facility shall display the poster provided by the secretary of state in a public area in the residential care facility.
  (4) As used in this section:
  (a) "Home for the aged" means that term as defined in section 20106 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.20106.
  (b) "Nursing home" means that term as defined in section 20109 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.20109.
  (c) "Residential care facility" means both of the following:
  (i) Home for the aged.
  (ii) Nursing home.


History: Add. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter IV
ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT


168.41 Presidential electors; eligibility.

Sec. 41.

   No person shall be eligible to be an elector of president and vice-president who shall not have been a citizen of the United States for at least 10 years and a resident and registered elector of the congressional district for an elector representing a congressional district, or of the state, for an elector representing the state at large for at least 1 year prior to the election. No senator or representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector, as provided in section 1 of article 2 of the United States constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.42 Presidential electors; selection at state political party conventions, certification.

Sec. 42.

   In the year in which presidential electors are to be elected under section 43, each political party in this state shall choose at its fall state convention a number of candidates for electors of president and vice-president of the United States equal to the number of senators and representatives in congress that this state is entitled to elect. The chairperson and the secretary of the state central committee of each political party shall, within 1 business day after the conclusion of the state convention, forward by registered or certified mail a certificate containing the names of the candidates for electors to the secretary of state. The candidates for electors of president and vice-president who shall be considered elected are those whose names have been certified to the secretary of state by that political party receiving the greatest number of votes for those offices at the next November election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999
Popular Name: Election Code





168.43 Presidential electors; election.

Sec. 43.

   At the general November election held in the year 1956 and at the general November election held every fourth year thereafter, electors of president and vice-president of the United States shall be elected in the manner herein provided: Provided, That if congress should hereafter fix a different day for such election, then the election for electors shall be held on such day as shall be named by congress as provided in section 1 of article 2 of the United States constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.44 Repealed. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30;—1955, Act 283, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1955.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section prescribed a form of an official presidential ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.45 Cross or check mark as vote for presidential electors.

Sec. 45.

   Marking a cross (X) or a check mark ( ) in the circle under the party name of a political party, at the general November election in a presidential year, shall not be considered and taken as a direct vote for the candidates of that political party for president and vice-president or either of them, but, as to the presidential vote, as a vote for the entire list or set of presidential electors chosen by that political party and certified to the secretary of state pursuant to this chapter.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 160, Imd. Eff. Nov. 20, 1985
Popular Name: Election Code





168.46 Presidential electors; certificate of ascertainment; determination by board of state canvassers; issuance by governor; exception mandatory recount; superseding certificate.

Sec. 46.

  (1) As soon as practicable after the board of state canvassers has, by the official canvass, ascertained the result of an election as to the electors of President and Vice President of the United States, but not less than 6 days before the date on which the electors for President and Vice President of the United States are to convene under section 47, the governor shall issue a certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors that does all of the following:
  (a) Sets forth the names of the electors appointed and the canvass or other determination under the laws of this state of the number of votes given or cast for each individual whose appointment any or all votes have been given or cast.
  (b) Bears the seal of this state.
  (c) Contains at least 1 security feature, as determined by the governor, for the purpose of verifying the authenticity of the certificate. The secure components of any security feature used are confidential and not subject to disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
  (2) Immediately after issuing the certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors under subsection (1), the governor shall transmit to the Archivist of the United States, by the most expeditious method available, the certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors. The governor shall also transmit to each elector chosen as an elector for President and Vice President of the United States, on or before the date on which the electors are to convene under section 47, 6 duplicate-originals of the certificate.
  (3) Subject to this subsection, the fact that a recount petition has been filed, or that a recount is pending, has no effect on the governor's authority or responsibility to issue a certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors as required under subsection (1). However, if a mandatory recount of all precincts in this state is required under section 880a, the governor shall not issue the certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors required under subsection (1) until the completion and certification of the recount or until 3 p.m. on the sixth day before the date on which the electors for President and Vice President of the United States are to convene under section 47, whichever occurs first. If the recount is completed and certified before 3 p.m. on the sixth day before the date on which the electors for President and Vice President of the United States are to convene under section 47, the certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors issued by the governor must reflect the certified result of that recount. If the recount is not completed and certified before 3 p.m. on the sixth day before the date on which the electors for President and Vice President of the United States are to convene under section 47, the certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors issued by the governor must reflect the original certification of the results of the election.
  (4) If a recount is completed by 11:59 p.m. on the second day before the date on which the electors for President and Vice President of the United States are to convene under section 47, and the result of that recount, as certified by the board of state canvassers, alters the winner of the presidential election as reflected on the certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors issued by the governor under subsection (1), an affected candidate for President or Vice President of the United States may have the certification reviewed by the supreme court, or may seek other judicial relief from the supreme court related to the certification including, but not limited to, an order directing the governor to issue a superseding certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors that reflects the updated and certified results of the presidential election. An action under this subsection must be filed with the supreme court within 24 hours after the certification of the completed recount. A plaintiff filing an action in the supreme court under this subsection must request an expedited hearing and that the supreme court issue an order granting any judicial relief by 4 p.m. on the day before the date on which the electors for President and Vice President of the United States are to convene under section 47. If the supreme court issues an order by the day before the date on which the electors are to convene under section 47 that requires the governor to issue a superseding certificate of ascertainment consistent with the certified results of the recount, the governor must issue that superseding certificate of ascertainment before the date on which the electors are to convene under section 47.
  (5) If a recount is completed by 11:59 p.m. on the second day before the date on which the electors for President and Vice President of the United States are to convene under section 47, and the result of that recount, as certified by the board of state canvassers, alters the winner of the presidential election as reflected on the certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors issued by the governor under subsection (1), and the supreme court does not issue an order under subsection (4) before 4 p.m. on the day before the date on which the electors are to convene under section 47, the governor must issue a superseding certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors that reflects the updated and certified results of the presidential election, as determined by the recount and certified by the board of state canvassers, no later than 11:59 p.m. on the day before the date on which the electors are to convene under section 47.
  (6) A superseding certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors issued by the governor under this section replaces and supersedes any prior certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors issued under this section, must be transmitted consistent with the requirements under subsection (2) for the certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors, and is conclusive with respect to the determination of electors for President and Vice President of the United States appointed by this state.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 431, Imd. Eff. June 6, 2002 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 269, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.47 Convening of presidential electors; time and place thereof; resignations; refusal or failure to vote; vacancies.

Sec. 47.

  The electors of President and Vice President shall convene in the senate chamber at the capitol of this state at 2 p.m., eastern standard time, on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December following the elector's election. At any time before receiving the certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors from the governor or within 48 hours thereafter, an elector may resign by submitting the elector's written and verified resignation to the governor. Failure to resign signifies consent to serve and to cast the elector's vote for the candidates for President and Vice President appearing on the Michigan ballot of the political party that nominated the elector. Refusal or failure to vote for the candidates for President and Vice President appearing on the Michigan ballot of the political party that nominated the elector constitutes a resignation from the office of elector, the elector's vote must not be recorded, and the remaining electors must forthwith fill the vacancy. The ballot used by the elector must bear the name of the elector. If at the time of convening there is any vacancy caused by death, resignation, refusal or failure to vote, neglect to attend, or ineligibility of any individual elected, or for any other cause, the qualified electors of President and Vice President shall proceed to fill the vacancy by ballot, by a plurality of votes. When all the electors appear and the vacancy is filled, the electors shall proceed to perform the duties of the electors, as required by the constitution and laws of the United States. If Congress hereafter fixes a different day for the meeting, the electors shall meet and give the electors votes on the day designated by the act of Congress.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1971, Act 172, Eff. Mar. 30, 1972 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 269, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter V
GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR


168.51 Office of governor or lieutenant governor; eligibility.

Sec. 51.

  A person is not eligible to the office of governor or lieutenant governor unless the person has attained the age of 30 years and has been a registered and qualified elector in this state for 4 years next preceding his or her election, as provided in section 22 of article V of the state constitution of 1963.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.52 Gubernatorial candidates; nomination at primary.

Sec. 52.

   A general primary election of all political parties shall be held in every election precinct in this state on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August preceding every general November election in which a governor is to be elected, at which time the qualified and registered electors of each political party shall vote for party candidates for the office of governor. This section shall not apply to parties required to nominate candidates at caucuses or conventions.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.53 Office of governor; nominating petitions; signatures; form; filing.

Sec. 53.

  To obtain the printing of the name of a person as a candidate for nomination by a political party for the office of governor under a particular party heading upon the official primary ballots, there shall be filed with the secretary of state nominating petitions signed by a number of qualified and registered electors residing in this state as determined under section 544f. Nominating petitions shall be signed by at least 100 registered resident electors in each of at least 1/2 of the congressional districts of the state. Nominating petitions shall be in the form as prescribed in section 544c. Until December 31, 2013, nominating petitions shall be received by the secretary of state for filing in accordance with this act up to 4 p.m. of the twelfth Tuesday before the August primary. Beginning January 1, 2014, nominating petitions shall be received by the secretary of state for filing in accordance with this act up to 4 p.m. of the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 329, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.54 Candidates for nomination; withdrawal, notice.

Sec. 54.

   After the filing of a nominating petition by or in behalf of a proposed candidate for governor, such candidate shall not be permitted to withdraw unless a written notice of withdrawal is served on the secretary of state or his duly authorized agent not later than 4 p.m., eastern standard time, of the third day after the last day for filing such petitions.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.55 Candidate for office of governor or lieutenant governor; write-in.

Sec. 55.

  If, for any reason, there is no candidate of a political party for the office of governor or lieutenant governor, a blank space shall be provided on each of the official primary ballots that affords every elector of the political party an opportunity to vote for a candidate for those offices by writing in the name of his or her selection.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.56 Candidate for office of governor; death; selection of candidate to fill vacancy; ballots.

Sec. 56.

  If a candidate of a political party for the office of governor, after having qualified as a candidate, dies after the time specified for filing in section 53, leaving the political party without a candidate for that office, a candidate to fill the vacancy may be selected by the state central committee of that political party, and the name of the candidate selected shall be transmitted to the county officers required by law to print and distribute ballots. The name of the candidate shall be printed on the ballot, but if the primary ballots have been printed, the county officers shall have the ballots reprinted with the candidate's name on the ballots and the reprinted ballots shall be distributed to the various voting precincts in their respective counties.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 322, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1966 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.57 Gubernatorial candidates; nominees, certification.

Sec. 57.

   The candidate of each political party for the office of governor receiving the greatest number of votes cast for candidates for said office, as set forth in the report of the board of state canvassers based on the returns from the various boards of county canvassers, or as determined by the board of state canvassers as the result of a recount, shall be declared the nominee of that political party for said office at the next ensuing November election. The board of state canvassers shall forthwith certify such nominations to the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.58 Gubernatorial candidates; withdrawal after nomination.

Sec. 58.

   When a candidate of any political party for the office of governor has filed a nominating petition for such office and has been nominated for said office by said party, he shall not be permitted to withdraw unless he has removed from the state, or has become physically unfit. This prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the withdrawal of any candidate who has been nominated without having filed a nominating petition and whose name has been written or placed on the ballot of any political party.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.59 Gubernatorial candidates; death, withdrawal or disqualification; new candidate, selection, certification; ballots.

Sec. 59.

   When the candidate of a political party, after having been nominated to the office of governor, shall die, withdraw as provided in section 58 of this act, remove from the state, or become disqualified for any reason, the state central committee of such party shall meet forthwith and by a majority vote of the members thereof shall select a candidate to fill the vacancy thereby caused. The name of the candidate so selected shall be immediately certified by the chairman and the secretary of said committee to the secretary of state and to the board of election commissioners for each county, whose duty it is to prepare the official ballots, and said board shall cause to be printed or placed upon such ballots in the proper place the name of the candidate so selected and certified to fill such vacancy.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.60 Governor and lieutenant governor; election.

Sec. 60.

   A governor and lieutenant governor shall be elected jointly at the general election in 1964, 1966, and every fourth year thereafter.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.61 Governor and lieutenant governor; certificate of determination by board of state canvassers.

Sec. 61.

   The board of state canvassers shall determine which candidates for governor and lieutenant governor have received the greatest number of votes and shall declare such candidates to be duly elected. The said board shall forthwith make and subscribe on its statement of return a certificate of such determination and deliver the same to the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.62 Governor and lieutenant governor; certificate of election.

Sec. 62.

   The secretary of state shall file in his office and preserve the original statement and determination of the board of state canvassers of the result of the election and shall forthwith execute and cause to be delivered to the persons thereby declared to be elected to the offices of governor and lieutenant governor certificates of election, certified by him under the great seal of the state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.63 Governor and lieutenant governor; terms of office.

Sec. 63.

   The terms of office of governor and lieutenant governor shall commence at 12 noon on January 1 next following the election, and shall continue until a successor is elected and qualified. The terms of office of the governor and lieutenant governor elected at the general election of 1964 shall be 2 years. The terms of office of the governor and lieutenant governor elected at the general election in 1966 and every fourth year thereafter shall be 4 years.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.64 Governor and lieutenant governor; oath of office, deposit.

Sec. 64.

   Every person elected to the office of governor or lieutenant governor, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 1 of article 11 of the state constitution and deposit same with the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.65 Governor or lieutenant governor; resignation, notice.

Sec. 65.

   Any person duly elected to the office of governor or lieutenant governor who desires to resign shall file a written notice containing the effective date of such resignation with the legislature and the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.66 Governor or lieutenant governor; vacancy, creation; impeachment.

Sec. 66.

   The office of governor or lieutenant governor shall become vacant upon the happening of any of the following events: Death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office for cause; his ceasing to be a resident of the state; his conviction of an infamous crime, or an offense involving the violation of his oath of office; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring his election void; or his neglect or refusal to take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office and deposit the same in the manner and within the time prescribed by law.
   Any person holding the office of governor or lieutenant governor may be removed from office upon conviction in impeachment proceedings as provided in section 7 of article 11 of the state constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.67 Offices of governor and lieutenant governor; vacancy; death or failure to qualify of governor-elect or lieutenant governor-elect; devolution of powers and duties.

Sec. 67.

   If a vacancy occurs in the office of governor, the powers and duties of that office shall devolve upon the lieutenant governor for the remainder of the term or until the disability ceases. If the lieutenant governor succeeds to the office of governor, or if a vacancy occurs in the office of lieutenant governor, the senate, by resolution, with a record roll call vote, shall appoint an acting lieutenant governor of the same political party as the governor who shall serve for the remainder of the term or until the disability ceases. If a vacancy occurs in both the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, the elected secretary of state, the elected attorney general, the senate president pro tempore, and the speaker of the house of representatives, in that order shall act as governor until the vacancy is filled or the disability of either the governor or lieutenant governor ceases, as provided in section 26 of article 5 of the state constitution of 1963. Should the governor-elect die or fail to qualify by the first of January next following his or her election, the lieutenant governor-elect shall qualify and exercise all the powers and duties of the office of governor for the entire term, or until the governor-elect shall qualify. Should the lieutenant governor-elect also die or fail to qualify, the powers and duties of the office of governor shall devolve upon the secretary of state-elect and the attorney general-elect in that order in a like manner.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 8, Eff. Mar. 20, 1970 ;-- Am. 1981, Act 44, Imd. Eff. May 13, 1981
Popular Name: Election Code





168.68 Governor or lieutenant governor; recount of vote.

Sec. 68.

   The votes cast for any candidate for the office of governor or lieutenant governor at any primary or election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.69 Governor or lieutenant governor; recall.

Sec. 69.

   Any person elected to the office of governor or lieutenant governor shall be subject to recall as provided in chapter 36 of this act and in section 8 of article 2 of the state constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 34, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter VI
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR; SECRETARY OF STATE; ATTORNEY GENERAL


168.71 Offices of secretary of state or attorney general; eligibility.

Sec. 71.

  A person is not eligible to the offices of secretary of state or attorney general if the person is not a registered and qualified elector of this state by the date the person is nominated for the office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.72 Candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general; nomination at fall state convention.

Sec. 72.

   At its fall state convention, each political party may nominate a candidate for each of the offices of lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.73 Offices of lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general; nominees; list.

Sec. 73.

   Not more than 24 hours after the conclusion of the fall state convention, the state central committee of each political party shall canvass the proceedings of the convention and determine the nominees of the convention for the offices of lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. Not more than 1 business day after the conclusion of the convention, the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee shall forward to the secretary of state a typewritten or printed list of the names and residence, including the street address if known, of candidates nominated at the state convention. The secretary of state shall forward a copy of a list received under this section to the board of election commissioners of each county, in care of the county clerk at the county seat.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001--AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:--Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.--Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.--Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.--Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.--Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.--Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.74 Candidates; withdrawal; notice.

Sec. 74.

   A person who has been certified by the state central committee of any party as nominated for the office of lieutenant governor, secretary of state, or attorney general may withdraw by filing a written notice of withdrawal with the secretary of state or his or her authorized agent and a copy with the chairperson and the secretary of the state central committee of the party not later than 4 p.m., eastern standard time, of the fourth business day following the conclusion of the convention at which the person was nominated.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999
Popular Name: Election Code





168.75 Candidates; death, withdrawal or disqualification; new candidate, selection, certification; ballots.

Sec. 75.

   When a candidate of a political party, after having been nominated to the office of lieutenant governor, secretary of state or attorney general, shall die, withdraw, remove from the state, or become disqualified for any reason, the state central committee of such party shall meet forthwith and by a majority vote of the members thereof shall select a candidate to fill the vacancy thereby caused. The name of the candidate so selected shall be immediately certified by the chairman and the secretary of said committee to the secretary of state and to the board of election commissioners for each county whose duty it is to prepare the official ballots and said board shall cause to be printed or placed upon said ballots, in the proper place, the name of the candidate so selected to fill the vacancy.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.76 Secretary of state and attorney general; election.

Sec. 76.

   A secretary of state and attorney general shall be elected at the general election in 1964, 1966, and every fourth year thereafter.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.77 Secretary of state and attorney general; certificate of determination by board of state canvassers.

Sec. 77.

   The board of state canvassers shall determine which candidates for the offices of secretary of state and attorney general have received the greatest number of votes and shall declare such candidates to be duly elected. The said board shall forthwith make and subscribe on its statement of returns a certificate of such determination and deliver the same to the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.78 Secretary of state and attorney general; certificate of election.

Sec. 78.

   The secretary of state shall file in his office and preserve the original statements and determination of the board of state canvassers of the results of the election and shall forthwith execute and cause to be delivered to the persons thereby declared to be elected to the offices of secretary of state and attorney general certificates of election, certified by him under the great seal of the state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.79 Secretary of state and attorney general; terms of office.

Sec. 79.

   The terms of office of the secretary of state and attorney general shall commence at 12 noon on January 1 next following the election, and shall continue until a successor is elected and qualified.
   The terms of office of the secretary of state and attorney general elected at the general election in 1964 shall be 2 years. The terms of office of the secretary of state and attorney general elected at the general election in 1966 and every fourth year thereafter shall be 4 years.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.80 Secretary of state and attorney general; oath of office, bond, deposit.

Sec. 80.

   Every person elected to the office of secretary of state or attorney general, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 1 of article 11 of the state constitution, and shall give bond in the amount and manner prescribed by law, and shall deposit said oath and bond with the secretary of state, except that any person elected to the office of secretary of state shall deposit said oath and bond with the attorney general.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.81 Secretary of state or attorney general; resignation, notice.

Sec. 81.

   Any person duly elected to the office of secretary of state or attorney general who desires to resign shall file a written notice, containing the effective date of such resignation, with the governor and a copy with the office of the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.82 Secretary of state or attorney general; vacancy, creation, notice to governor.

Sec. 82.

   The office of secretary of state or attorney general shall become vacant upon the happening of any of the following events: Death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office for cause; his ceasing to be a resident of the state; his conviction of an infamous crime or an offense involving the violation of his oath of office; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring his election or appointment void; or his neglect or refusal to take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office and deposit the same in the manner and within the time prescribed by law. When a vacancy shall occur in any of the said offices, a notice of such vacancy and the reason why the same exists shall, within 10 days after such vacancy occurs, be given in writing to the governor. Such notice shall be given by the secretary of state unless such vacancy occurs in the office of the secretary of state, then by the attorney general.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.83 Secretary of state or attorney general; impeachment; removal from office; service of charges, hearing.

Sec. 83.

   Any person holding the office of secretary of state or attorney general may be removed from office upon conviction in impeachment proceedings for the reasons and in the manner set forth in section 7 of article 11 of the state constitution. The governor shall have the power and it shall be his duty, except at such times as the legislature may be in session, to examine into the condition and administration of the public offices and the acts of the public officers enumerated herein, and to remove from office for gross neglect of duty or for corrupt conduct in office, or any other misfeasance or malfeasance therein, and report the causes of such removal to the legislature at its next session as provided in section 10 of article 5 of the state constitution. Such person shall be served with a written notice of the charges against him and be afforded an opportunity for a public hearing conducted personally by the governor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.84 Secretary of state or attorney general; vacancy; successor, appointment by governor, oath of office, bond.

Sec. 84.

   Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the office of secretary of state or attorney general, the governor shall appoint a successor to fill such vacancy and the person so appointed shall take the oath of office, give bond in the manner required by law and shall hold such office until his successor is elected and qualified. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for either of said offices who has subscribed to the constitutional oath and filed the requisite bond shall be deemed to be elected and qualified even though a vacancy occurs prior to the time he shall have entered upon the duties of his office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.85 Secretary of state or attorney general; election, recount of votes.

Sec. 85.

   The votes cast for any candidate for the office of secretary of state or attorney general at any election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.86 Secretary of state or attorney general; recall.

Sec. 86.

   Any person elected to the office of secretary of state or attorney general shall be subject to recall as provided in chapter 36 of this act and in section 8 of article 2 of the state constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 4, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter VII
UNITED STATES SENATOR


168.91 United States Senator; eligibility.

Sec. 91.

  A person shall not be a United States Senator unless the person has attained the age of 30 years and has been a citizen of the United States for 9 years, and is, when elected, an inhabitant of that state for which he or she shall be chosen as provided in section 3 of article I of the United States Constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.92 Candidates for United States senator; nomination at primary.

Sec. 92.

   A general primary election of all political parties shall be held in every election precinct in this state on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August preceding every general November election, at which time the qualified and registered electors of each political party may vote for a party candidate for the office of United States senator, to be filled at said election: Provided, That this section shall not apply to parties required to nominate candidates at caucuses or conventions: Provided further, That no nomination for the office of United States senator shall be made unless such official is to be elected at the next succeeding general November election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.93 Candidate for United States senator; nominating petition; signatures; form; filing.

Sec. 93.

  In order for the name of a person as a candidate for nomination by a political party for the office of United States senator to appear under a particular party heading on the official primary ballot, a nominating petition shall be filed with the secretary of state. The nominating petition shall have been signed by a number of qualified and registered electors residing within this state as determined under section 544f. The nominating petition shall be signed by at least 100 qualified and registered electors in each of at least 1/2 of the congressional districts of this state. Nominating petitions shall be in the form as prescribed in section 544c. Until December 31, 2013, the nominating petition shall be filed with the secretary of state no later than 4 p.m. of the twelfth Tuesday before the August primary. Beginning January 1, 2014, the nominating petition shall be filed with the secretary of state no later than 4 p.m. of the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 42, Imd. Eff. May 26, 1966 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 329, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 491, Imd. Eff. Jan. 11, 2001 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.94 Candidates; withdrawal, notice.

Sec. 94.

   After the filing of a nominating petition by or in behalf of a proposed candidate for United States senator, such candidate shall not be permitted to withdraw unless a written notice of withdrawal is served on the secretary of state or his duly authorized agent not later than 4 o'clock, eastern standard time, in the afternoon of the third day after the last day for filing such petitions.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.95 Candidate for United States senator; death; selection of candidate to fill vacancy; ballots.

Sec. 95.

  If a candidate of a political party for the office of United States senator, after having qualified as a candidate, dies after the last day for qualifying, leaving the political party without a candidate for the office of United States senator, a candidate to fill the vacancy may be selected by the state central committee and the name of the candidate selected shall be transmitted to the secretary of state and to the county officials required by law to print and distribute ballots. The name of the candidate shall be printed on the ballots, but if the ballots have been printed, the county officials shall have the ballots reprinted with the candidate's name on the ballots and the reprinted ballots shall be distributed to the various voting precincts within their respective counties.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 322, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1966 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.96 Candidate for United States senator; write-in.

Sec. 96.

  If for any reason there is no candidate of a political party for the office of United States senator, a blank space shall be provided on each of the official primary ballots that affords every elector of the political party an opportunity to vote for a candidate for that office by writing in the name of his or her selection.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 64, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 227, Imd. Eff. May 22, 1964 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.97 Candidates; nomination, certification.

Sec. 97.

   The candidate of each political party for the office of United States senator receiving the greatest number of votes cast for candidates for said office, as set forth in the report of the board of state canvassers, based on the returns from the various boards of county canvassers, or as determined by the board of state canvassers as the result of a recount, shall be declared the nominee of that political party for said office at the next ensuing November election. The board of state canvassers shall forthwith certify such nomination to the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.98 Candidates; withdrawal after nomination.

Sec. 98.

   When a candidate of any political party has filed a nominating petition for such office and has been nominated for said office by said party, he shall not be permitted to withdraw unless he has removed from the state, or has become physically unfit. No vacancy shall be filled by the state central committees except for the causes and as herein specified: Provided, That this prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the withdrawal of any candidate who has been nominated without having filed a nominating petition and whose name has been written or placed on the ballot of any political party.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.99 Candidates; death, withdrawal or disqualification; new candidate, selection, certification; ballots.

Sec. 99.

   When the candidate of a political party, after having been nominated to the office of United States senator, shall die, withdraw, remove from the state, or become disqualified for any reason, the state central committee of such party shall meet forthwith and by a majority vote of the members thereof shall select a candidate to fill the vacancy thereby caused. The name of the candidate so selected shall be immediately certified by the chairman and the secretary of said committee to the secretary of state and to the board of election commissioners for each county, whose duty it is to prepare the official ballots; and said boards shall cause to be printed or placed upon such ballots in the proper place the name of the candidate so selected and certified to fill such vacancy.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.100 United States senator; election.

Sec. 100.

   A United States senator shall be elected at the general November election held in the year 1958, and at the general November election every sixth year thereafter. A United States Senator shall be elected at the general November election held in the year 1960 and at the general November election every sixth year thereafter.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.101 United States senator; certificate of determination by board of state canvassers.

Sec. 101.

   The board of state canvassers shall determine which candidate for United States senator has received the greatest number of votes and shall declare such candidate to be duly elected. The said board shall forthwith make and subscribe on its statement of returns a certificate of such determination and deliver the same to the secretary of state, who shall forthwith deliver a true copy of said certificate to the governor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.102 United States senator; certificate of election by governor.

Sec. 102.

   It shall be the duty of the governor, upon the election or appointment of a United States senator, to certify his election or appointment to the president of the senate of the United States. Said certificate shall be under the great seal of the state and countersigned by the secretary of state, and a copy thereof shall be delivered to the person so elected or appointed as United States senator.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.103 United States senator; term of office.

Sec. 103.

   The term of office of a United States senator shall be 6 years, beginning on the third day of January next succeeding his election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.104 United States senator; resignation, notice.

Sec. 104.

   Any person duly elected to the office of United States senator who desires to resign shall file a written notice containing the effective date of such resignation with the governor and a copy with the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.105 United States senator; vacancy; successor, appointment by governor, tenure.

Sec. 105.

   Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the office of United States senator, the governor shall appoint, to fill the vacancy, some suitable person having the necessary qualifications for senator. The person so appointed shall hold office from the time of his appointment and qualification until the first day of December following the next general November election which occurs more than 120 days after such vacancy happens. At such general November election, a United States senator to fill such vacancy shall be elected and the person so elected shall hold office from the first day of December following such election for the balance of the unexpired term of the senator whose vacancy is filled.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.106 United States senator; votes cast at primary or general election subject to recount.

Sec. 106.

   The votes cast for a candidate for nomination or election to the office of United States senator at a primary or general election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 7, 1978
Popular Name: Election Code





168.107 United States senator; vacancy, creation.

Sec. 107.

   The office of United States senator shall become vacant on the happening of any of the following events before the expiration of the term of such office: The death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring void his election or appointment; or his refusal or neglect to take his oath of office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.108 United States senator; removal from office.

Sec. 108.

   Any United States senator may be removed from office as provided in section 5 of article 1 of the United States constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.109 United States senator; contested election; restraining order of supreme court.

Sec. 109.

   Whenever the election of a United States senator is contested before the United States senate, or notice of a contested election for United States senator may be given, or whenever any judicial proceeding may be instituted preliminary to a contested election involving the right to a seat in said United States senate from the state of Michigan, and it shall be made to appear to the supreme court of the state of Michigan that there is danger that the ballot boxes used in the election of said United States senator within said state will not be properly preserved, the seals upon said boxes interfered with, said ballot boxes opened or the ballots therein interfered with or destroyed, such supreme court shall grant a restraining order directed to the officers having custody of said ballot boxes within said state restraining them and all other persons from interfering with said boxes, seals or locks thereon, or the ballots therein, except as therein provided.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.110 Contested election; preservation of ballots, application for restraining order by petition; notice, hearing; temporary restraining order pending hearing.

Sec. 110.

   Application for such restraining order may be made by any candidate for such office and shall be made by petition duly verified under oath setting up the material facts relative to the election and the election contest involved. Such petition shall be heard in open court, and the court shall give such notice of the hearing on such application as it shall deem sufficient to the candidates for the office of United States senator in the election concerning which the application was filed and to such persons as shall be named in such application. Pending such hearing, any justice of the supreme court may, in his discretion, grant a temporary order restraining any interference with said ballot boxes or the ballots therein.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.110a Repealed. 1978, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 7, 1978.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to filing notice of intent to contest election of United States senator.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.111 Contested election; service of restraining order, method.

Sec. 111.

   Service of any restraining order may be made personally, as in the case of the service of other process of said court, or such service may be made by registered or certified mail. In cases of emergency, notice of the issuance of a restraining order may be given to the officers to whom the same is directed by telegraph or by telephone in advance of the actual service of said order and, after such notice, whether by telegraph or telephone, said officers shall be charged with the same duty with regard to the preservation of said ballot boxes and the ballots therein as after the service of said order.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956
Popular Name: Election Code





168.112 Contested election; permanent restraining order, delivery of ballot boxes to custody of county clerk.

Sec. 112.

   On being served with a copy of a permanent restraining order issued by said court, it shall be the duty of all officers having the custody of ballot boxes containing ballots cast at said election for said office forthwith to deliver the same to the county clerks of the counties in which such officers reside. It shall be the duty of said county clerks to receive such ballot boxes containing such ballots and to receipt therefor to the officers so delivering them. Said county clerks shall thereupon deposit said ballot boxes containing said ballots in some secure place to await the action of the commissioners herein provided for.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.113 Contested election; commissioners, appointment, packaging of ballots.

Sec. 113.

   Upon issuing a permanent restraining order as herein provided, the supreme court shall name 3 commissioners, who shall proceed to the offices of the several county clerks as soon as may be, open said ballot boxes, remove the ballots therefrom and place them in packages securely wrapped and sealed and so marked as to show in what voting districts such ballots were cast.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.114 Contested election; commissioners, redeposit of ballots with county clerk, statement.

Sec. 114.

   Such packages shall be sealed by said commissioners and redeposited with said county clerks, and it shall be the duty of said county clerks to again place said packages of ballots in some secure place pending the further order of the court. It shall also be the duty of said commissioners to make a statement, duly signed by them, to be included within each such package, as to the character and condition of the ballot boxes when opened by them as herein provided, and of the condition of the ballots within such boxes. Each county clerk shall thereupon notify the several officers of election within the county that such ballot boxes have been released and direct such officers of election to appear and secure said boxes.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.115 Contested election; removal of ballots by commissioners, notice.

Sec. 115.

   The commissioners, as herein provided for, shall give public notice of the time when they will appear at each county seat for the purpose of removing the ballots from the ballot boxes, as herein provided, and such removal shall be publicly made in the presence of the county clerk and judge of probate in the office of the county clerk during office hours.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.116 Contested election; removal of ballots, representation of candidate.

Sec. 116.

   It shall be the right of each candidate to the office of United States senator at such election to be present in person at such removal, or to be represented thereat.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.117 Contested election; commissioners, compensation.

Sec. 117.

   The compensation of the commissioners herein provided for shall be fixed by the supreme court and such court shall allow such traveling and personal expenses of such commissioners as it may deem proper. All allowances to commissioners shall be taxed by the court as costs in the proceeding.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.118 Contested election; violation of restraining order, penalty.

Sec. 118.

   Any person who shall violate the terms of any such restraining order shall be in contempt of court and shall, in addition to such penalty as may be imposed thereby, be liable to a fine of $1,000.00.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.119 Contested election; application for restraining order to circuit court, authority of court.

Sec. 119.

   Instead of filing the petition for relief provided for in this act with the supreme court of the state of Michigan, application may be made in like manner to the circuit court for the county of Ingham, and when application is so made such court shall have full jurisdiction to make all orders, name the commissioners and otherwise exercise all necessary authority to carry out the purposes of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.120 Contested elections; purpose of act.

Sec. 120.

   It is the intention of this act to furnish a speedy and effective means for the preservation of evidence of the intention of voters in the case of elections to the office of United States senator. It is remedial in character and shall be construed in such manner as fully to carry out the intention herein expressed.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.121 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to recall of person holding office of United States Senator.
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter VIII
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS


168.131 Representative in Congress; eligibility.

Sec. 131.

  A person shall not be a Representative in Congress unless the person has attained the age of 25 years and been a citizen of the United States for 7 years, and is, when elected, an inhabitant of that state in which he or she shall be chosen, as provided in section 2 of article I of the United States Constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.132 Candidates for representative in congress; nomination at primary.

Sec. 132.

   A general primary election of all political parties shall be held in every election precinct in this state on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August preceding every general November election, at which time the qualified and registered electors of each political party within every congressional district shall vote for party candidates for the office of representative in congress to be filled at said election: Provided, That this section shall not apply to parties required to nominate candidates at caucuses or conventions.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.133 Candidate for representative in congress; nominating petition; signatures; filing; form.

Sec. 133.

  In order for the name of a person as a candidate for nomination by a political party for the office of representative in congress to appear under a particular party heading on the official primary ballot in the election precincts of a congressional district, a nominating petition shall have been signed by a number of qualified and registered electors residing in the district as determined under section 544f. Until December 31, 2013, if the congressional district comprises more than 1 county, the nominating petition shall be filed with the secretary of state no later than 4 p.m. of the twelfth Tuesday before the August primary. Beginning January 1, 2014, if the congressional district comprises more than 1 county, the nominating petition shall be filed with the secretary of state no later than 4 p.m. of the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary. Until December 31, 2013, if the congressional district is within 1 county, the nominating petition shall be filed with the county clerk of that county no later than 4 p.m. of the twelfth Tuesday before the August primary. Beginning January 1, 2014, if the congressional district is within 1 county, the nominating petition shall be filed with the county clerk of that county no later than 4 p.m. of the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary. Nominating petitions shall be in the form as prescribed in section 544c.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 42, Imd. Eff. May 26, 1966 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 491, Imd. Eff. Jan. 11, 2001 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.134 Candidates for nomination; withdrawal, notice.

Sec. 134.

   After the filing of a nominating petition by or in behalf of a proposed candidate for representative in congress, such candidate shall not be permitted to withdraw unless a written notice of withdrawal is served on the official with whom the petition was filed or his duly authorized agent not later than 4 o'clock, eastern standard time, in the afternoon of the third day after the last day for filing such petitions.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.135 Candidate for representative in congress; death; selection of candidate to fill vacancy; ballots.

Sec. 135.

  If a candidate of a political party for the office of representative in congress, after having qualified as a candidate, dies after the last day for qualifying, leaving the political party without a candidate for the office of representative in congress, a candidate to fill the vacancy may be selected by 3 delegates elected by a majority of the precinct delegates and nominees for state representative and state senator in a state representative or state senatorial district of the candidate's political party from within the boundaries of the congressional district. If the district comprises more than 1 county, the meeting shall be called and conducted by the chairperson of the state central committee or his or her authorized representative. The name of the candidate selected shall be transmitted to the county officials required by law to print and distribute ballots. The name of the candidate shall be printed on the ballots, but if the ballots have been printed, the county officials shall have the ballots reprinted with the candidate's name on the ballots and the reprinted ballots shall be distributed to the various voting precincts within their respective counties.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 322, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1966 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.136 Candidate for representative in congress; write-in.

Sec. 136.

  If for any reason there is no candidate of a political party for the office of representative in congress, a blank space shall be provided on each of the official primary ballots that affords every elector of the political party an opportunity to vote for a candidate for that office by writing in the name of his or her selection.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.137 Candidates for representative in congress; nomination, certification.

Sec. 137.

   The candidate of each political party for the office of representative in congress receiving the greatest number of votes cast for candidates for said office, as set forth in the report of the board of state canvassers, based on the returns from the various boards of county canvassers, or as determined by the board of state canvassers as the result of a recount, shall be declared the nominee of that political party for said office at the next ensuing November election. The board of state canvassers shall forthwith certify such nomination to the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.138 Candidates; withdrawal after nomination.

Sec. 138.

   When a candidate of any political party has filed a nominating petition for such office and has been nominated for said office by said party, he shall not be permitted to withdraw unless he has removed from the state or has become physically unfit; no vacancy shall be filled by the district or county committees except for the causes and as herein specified: Provided, That this prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the withdrawal of any candidate who has been nominated without having filed a nominating petition and whose name has been written or placed on the ballot of any political party.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.139 Candidates for representative in congress; death, withdrawal or disqualification; selection of new candidate, certification; ballots.

Sec. 139.

   When a candidate of a political party, after having been nominated to the office of representative in congress, shall die, withdraw as provided in this chapter, remove from the state or become disqualified for any reason, a candidate to fill such vacancy shall be chosen by a committee selected as follows: (a) If such candidate shall have been nominated from a district composed of 1 or more counties, the committee shall consist of the members of the county committees of such candidate's political party for the counties comprising such congressional district: Provided, That if a congressional district comprises 3 or more counties, each county shall be entitled to have only the chairman, the treasurer and secretary of the county committee of such political party present and voting; or (b) if such candidate shall have been nominated from a district consisting of less than 1 county, the committee shall consist of the members of the district committee of such candidate's political party for such district. Such committee shall meet at a time and place designated by the chairman of the state central committee of such political party and notice of such meeting shall be sent to all members of the county or district committee, as the case may be. The meeting shall be conducted by the secretary of the state central committee or his duly authorized agent, but said secretary or agent shall not be privileged to vote at such meeting. A majority vote of the committee members present and voting shall be necessary for the selection of a candidate. The name of the candidate so selected shall be certified immediately by the secretary of the state central committee to the secretary of state and to the board of election commissioners for each county, whose duty it is to prepare the official ballots; and said board shall cause to be printed or placed upon such ballots, in the proper place, the name of the candidate so selected and certified to fill such vacancy.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.140 Representative in congress; election.

Sec. 140.

   A representative in congress in each congressional district shall be elected at each general November election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.141 Representative in congress; certificate of determination by board of state canvassers.

Sec. 141.

   The board of state canvassers shall determine which candidate has received the greatest number of votes and shall declare such candidate to be duly elected. The said board shall forthwith make and subscribe on its statement of returns a certificate of such determination and deliver the same to the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.142 Representative in congress; certificate of election.

Sec. 142.

   The secretary of state shall file in his office and preserve the original statement and determination of the board of state canvassers of the result of the election and shall forthwith execute and cause to be delivered to the person thereby declared to be elected a certificate of election, certified by him under the great seal of the state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.143 Representative in congress; term of office.

Sec. 143.

   The term of office of a representative in congress shall be 2 years beginning on the third day of January next following his election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.144 Representative in congress; resignation, notice.

Sec. 144.

   Any person duly elected to the office of representative in congress who desires to resign shall file a written notice containing the effective date of such resignation with the governor and a copy with the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.145 Representative in congress; vacancy, special election.

Sec. 145.

   The governor shall call a special election as provided in section 633 of this act, in any congressional district of the state when the right of office of a person elected representative in congress shall cease before the commencement of the term of service for which he shall have been elected, or whenever a vacancy shall occur in the office of representative in congress after the term of service has begun for which such representative was elected.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.146 Representative in congress; vacancy, creation.

Sec. 146.

   The office of representative in congress shall become vacant on the happening of any of the following events before the expiration of the term of such office: The death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring void his election; or his refusal or neglect to take his oath of office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.147 Representative in congress; removal from office.

Sec. 147.

   Any representative in congress may be removed from office as provided in section 5 of article 1 of the United States constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.148 Representative in congress; votes cast at primary or general election subject to recount.

Sec. 148.

   The votes cast for a candidate for nomination or election to the office of representative in congress at a primary or general election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 7, 1978
Popular Name: Election Code





168.149 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to recall of person holding office of representative in congress.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.150 Representative in congress; contested election; preservation of ballots; restraining order of circuit court.

Sec. 150.

   Whenever a contest for the office of congressman is in progress before the house of representatives involving the right to a seat in said house from any of the congressional districts of Michigan, and it shall be made to appear to any circuit court in the state of Michigan that there is danger that the ballot boxes used in such congressional election within the district in which said circuit court has jurisdiction will be tampered with, the seals upon said boxes destroyed or tampered with, said ballot boxes opened or the ballots therein interfered with or destroyed, such circuit court shall grant a restraining order directed to the officers having custody of the ballot boxes within such congressional district restraining them from interfering with said boxes, the seals or locks thereon, or the ballots therein, during the pendency of the taking of testimony in such contest before the house of representatives.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.150a Repealed. 1978, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 7, 1978.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to notice of intent to contest election of representative in congress.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.151 Contested election; application for restraining order by petition; notice, hearing.

Sec. 151.

   Said application shall be made by sworn petition setting up the material facts touching the election and the election contest involved. It may be heard in chambers or in open court, in the discretion of the court, and it shall be heard upon such notice as will be sufficient to give the attorney of the party not applying for the order sufficient time to reach the court in which such application is made, by the usual method of travel from his place of business to such court, plus 24 hours.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.152 Contested election; service of restraining order, notice.

Sec. 152.

   Service of such restraining order may be made either personally, as in the case of ordinary process of said court, or in cases of emergency such service may be made by registered or certified mail. Notice of the issuance of such restraining order may be given to the officers to whom the same is directed, by telegraph or by telephone, in advance of the actual service of said order, and after the giving of such advance notice, said officer shall be charged with the same duties with regard to the preservation of the ballot boxes and ballots as after actual service of a copy of said order.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956
Popular Name: Election Code





168.153 Contested election; violation of restraining order, penalty.

Sec. 153.

   Any officer or any other person who shall violate the terms of any such restraining order shall be in contempt of court and shall, in addition to such penalty as may be imposed thereby, be liable to a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00, in the discretion of the court.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.154 Contested election; intent of act.

Sec. 154.

   It is the intention of this act to furnish a speedy and effective remedy for the preservation of the evidence of the intention of the voters in the case of elections to the office of representative in congress and, for that purpose, the provisions of this act shall be construed as remedial.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.155 Contested election; proceeding in equity, fees.

Sec. 155.

   The proceeding herein specified shall be in equity, and the provisions of law relative to fees to be charged as entry fees and fees for the service of papers shall govern the proceedings under this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter IX
STATE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES


168.161 Offices of state senator or representative; eligibility.

Sec. 161.

  A person is not eligible to the office of state senator or representative unless the person is a citizen of the United States and a registered and qualified elector of the district he or she represents by the filing deadline, as provided in section 7 of article IV of the state constitution of 1963.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 63, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.162 Candidates for state senator or representative; nomination at primary.

Sec. 162.

   A general primary election of all political parties shall be held in every election precinct in this state on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August preceding every general November election, at which time the qualified and registered electors of each political party within every senatorial district and every representative district shall vote for party candidates for the offices of state senator and representative, to be filled at the November election: Provided, That this section shall not apply to parties required to nominate candidates at caucuses or conventions.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.163 Candidate for state senator or representative; nominating petitions; signatures; form; filing; nonrefundable filing fee in lieu of nominating petition; deposit and use of fee.

Sec. 163.

  (1) To obtain the printing of the name of an individual as a candidate for nomination by a political party for the office of state senator or representative under a particular party heading upon the official primary ballots in the various election precincts of a district, there must be filed nominating petitions signed by a number of qualified and registered electors residing in the district as determined under section 544f. If the district comprises more than 1 county, the nominating petitions must be filed with the secretary of state. If the district comprises 1 county or less, the nominating petitions must be filed with the county clerk of that county. Nominating petitions must be in the form prescribed in section 544c. The secretary of state and the various county clerks shall receive nominating petitions for filing in accordance with this act up to 4 p.m. of the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary.
  (2) In lieu of filing a nominating petition, a nonrefundable filing fee of $100.00 may be paid to the county clerk or, for a candidate in a district comprising more than 1 county, to the secretary of state. Payment of the fee and certification of the name of the candidate paying the fee are governed by the same provisions as in the case of nominating petitions. The fee must be deposited in the general fund of the candidate's county of residence and must be used only for the purchase and maintenance of voting equipment.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 125, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2021, Act 144, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 2021
Popular Name: Election Code





168.163a Repealed. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 63, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for designation of incumbent on ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.164 Candidates for state senator or representative; withdrawal; notice.

Sec. 164.

   After the filing of a nominating petition or filing fee by or in behalf of a proposed candidate for the office of state senator or representative, such candidate shall not be permitted to withdraw unless a written notice of withdrawal is served on the official with whom his or her nominating petitions or filing fee were filed, or his or her duly authorized agent, not later than 4 o'clock, eastern standard time, in the afternoon of the third day after the last day for filing such petition.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.165 Candidates for state senator or representative; death; selection of candidate to fill vacancy; ballots.

Sec. 165.

  If a candidate of a political party for the office of state senator or state representative, as applicable, after having qualified as a candidate, dies after the last day for qualifying as a candidate, leaving the political party without a candidate for the office of state senator or state representative, a candidate to fill the vacancy caused by the death may be selected by 3 delegates elected by a majority of the precinct delegates and nominees for state representative and state senator of the candidate's political party from within the senatorial or representative district. However, if the senatorial or representative district comprises more than 1 county, the meeting shall be called and conducted by the chairperson of the state central committee or his or her authorized representative. The name of the candidate selected under this subsection shall be transmitted to the county officials required by law to print and distribute ballots. The county officials shall print the name of the candidate selected under this section on the ballot in place of the deceased candidate, or if the ballots are already printed, have the ballots reprinted with the candidate's name on the ballots and the reprinted ballots shall be distributed to the various voting precincts within their respective county.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 322, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1966 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 152, Imd. Eff. June 9, 1994 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.166 Candidate for state senator or representative; write-in.

Sec. 166.

  If for any reason the number of candidates of a political party for the office of state senator or representative is equal to less than the total number to be nominated and elected, a sufficient number of blank spaces shall be provided on the primary ballots that affords every elector of the political party an opportunity to vote for as many candidates as are to be nominated and elected by writing in the name or names of his or her selection.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.167 Candidates for state senator or representative; nomination, certification.

Sec. 167.

   The candidates of each political party for the office of state senator and representative receiving the greatest number of votes cast for candidates for said offices as set forth in the report of the board of canvassers canvassing said votes, based on the returns from the various election precincts or as determined by said board as a result of a recount, shall be declared the nominees of that political party for said offices at the next ensuing November election. If the district which the candidate seeks to represent comprises 1 county or less, said determination shall be by the board of county canvassers. If the district which the candidate seeks to represent comprises more than 1 county, then the county clerk of each such county shall transmit to the secretary of state within 8 days after the primary elections a certified statement of the number of votes received by each person for nominations as a candidate of any political party for said offices. The secretary of state shall appoint a meeting of the board of state canvassers at his office not later than 15 days after the primary elections, which date he shall forthwith certify to the chairman of the state central committee of each political party for the purpose of canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the primary for the nomination of the candidates for state senator and representative. The board of canvassers making such canvass shall forthwith certify such nomination or nominations to the county election commission or commissions.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.168 Candidates for state senator or representative; withdrawal after nomination; procedure.

Sec. 168.

   When a candidate of any political party has filed a nominating petition or filing fee for state senator or representative and has been nominated for the office by a party, he or she shall not be permitted to withdraw unless he or she shall be certified as a nominee at the subsequent state convention of the same party for a statewide office, or has removed from the district, or has become physically unfit, or become disqualified for any reason. If certified by a state convention for a statewide office, the candidate shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the previous nomination. No such vacancy shall be filled by the county executive committee or committees except for the causes and as herein specified. This prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the withdrawal of any candidate who has been nominated without having filed a nominating petition or filing fee and whose name has been written or placed on the ballot of any political party.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 175, Imd. Eff. Aug. 3, 1970 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.169 Candidates for state senator or representative; death, certification for statewide office, withdrawal, physical unfitness, or disqualification; selection of candidate to fill vacancy; certification; ballots.

Sec. 169.

   When the candidate of a political party, after having been nominated to the office of state senator or representative, shall die, be certified by a state convention for a statewide office, withdraw from the district, become physically unfit, or become disqualified for any reason, the members residing within said senatorial or representative district of the county executive committees of such candidate's political party for the counties comprising said senatorial or representative district shall meet at a time and place designated by the chairperson of the state central committee of such political party and notice of such meeting shall be sent to all such members of the county executive committees. The meeting shall be conducted by the secretary of the state central committee or his or her duly authorized agent, but said secretary or agent shall not be privileged to vote at such meeting. A candidate to fill the vacancy shall be selected by a majority vote of the committee members present and voting: Provided, That if such vacancy occurs in a senatorial or representative district wholly within 1 county, a candidate to fill the vacancy shall be selected by the county executive committee of the county by a majority vote thereof. The name of the candidate so selected shall be certified immediately by the chairperson and the secretary of said committee to the secretary of state in those districts comprising 2 or more counties and to the county clerk in those districts contained within 1 county. The certification shall be sent in any case to the board of election commissioners for each county, whose duty it is to prepare the official ballots; and said board shall cause to be printed or placed upon such ballots, in the proper place, the name of the candidate so selected and certified to fill such vacancy.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.170 State senators and representatives; election, date.

Sec. 170.

   A state senator in each senatorial district shall be elected in the general election in 1964, 1966 and every fourth year thereafter. A representative in each representative district shall be elected at each general November election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 63, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.171 Candidate receiving greatest number of votes; duties of board of canvassers or county canvassers.

Sec. 171.

   The board of state canvassers or the board of county canvassers, as appropriate, shall determine which candidate has received the greatest number of votes and shall declare that candidate to be duly elected. The board of state canvassers shall proceed as prescribed in section 841. The board of county canvassers shall proceed as prescribed in section 826.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.172 State senators and representatives; certificate of election; publication of certificate of determination and statement of votes; notice of election results.

Sec. 172.

   The secretary of state or the county clerk shall file in his or her office and preserve the original statement and determination of the board of state canvassers or the board of county canvassers of the result of the election and shall immediately execute and cause to be delivered to the persons declared elected, a certificate of election, certified by him or her under the great seal of the state or the seal of the circuit court of the county. In each county which alone constitutes 1 or more senatorial or representative districts, the county clerk may cause a copy of the certificate of determination, together with a statement of votes cast at the election for the officers, to be published in at least 1 newspaper printed or circulated, or both, in that county. The county clerk shall notify the daily or weekly newspapers of the election results, in writing, as soon as practical after that information becomes available.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 162, Eff. Mar. 31, 1986
Popular Name: Election Code





168.173 State senators and representatives; terms of office.

Sec. 173.

   The term of office of state senator and representative shall commence at 12 noon on January 1 next following his election. The term of office of state representative shall be 2 years. The term of office of state senators elected at the general election in 1964 shall be 2 years. The term of office of state senators elected at the general election in 1966 and every fourth year thereafter shall be 4 years.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 63, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.174 State senators and representatives; oath of office.

Sec. 174.

   Every person elected to the office of state senator or representative, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 1 of article 11 of the state constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 63, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.175 State senator or representative; resignation, notice; effective for duration of unexpired legislative term.

Sec. 175.

  An individual elected to the office of state senator or representative who desires to resign shall file a written notice containing the effective date of the resignation with the presiding officer of his or her respective house, who shall immediately transmit the written notice to the governor. The resignation of an individual from the office of state senator or representative remains in effect for the duration of the unexpired legislative term.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 192, Eff. Mar. 7, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.176 State senators and representatives; vacancy, creation.

Sec. 176.

   The office of state senator or representative shall become vacant on the happening of any of the following events, before the expiration of the term of such office: The death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office; his ceasing to be an inhabitant of the district for which he shall have been elected; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring void his election or appointment; or his refusal or neglect to take and subscribe to his oath of office. Regardless of any change in the boundaries of any state senatorial or representative district, an incumbent state senator or representative shall continue to represent the district from which he was elected until his current term of office shall expire or his successor is elected and qualified.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 63, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.177 State senator or representative; removal from office; effective for duration of unexpired legislative term.

Sec. 177.

  Any state senator or representative may be removed from office as provided in section 16 of article IV of the state constitution of 1963. The removal of an individual from the office of state senator or representative remains in effect for the duration of the unexpired legislative term.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 63, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 192, Eff. Mar. 7, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.178 State senators and representatives; vacancy in office; special election.

Sec. 178.

   The governor may call a special election as provided in section 634 in any senatorial or representative district of the state when the right of office of a person elected state senator or representative shall cease before the commencement of the term of service for which the state senator or representative was elected, or whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of state senator or representative after the term of service has begun for which the state senator or representative was elected.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 261, Imd. Eff. July 30, 1980
Popular Name: Election Code





168.179 State senators and representatives; primary or election, recount of votes.

Sec. 179.

   The votes cast for any candidate for the office of state senator or representative at any primary or election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.180 State senators and representatives; recall.

Sec. 180.

   Any person elected to the office of state senator or representative shall be subject to recall as provided in chapter 36 of this act and in section 8 of article 2 of the state constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 63, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter IXA
DELEGATES TO CONVENTIONS FOR GENERAL REVISION OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION


168.181-168.190 Repealed. 1967, Act 35, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967.


Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter X
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY; SHERIFF; COUNTY CLERK; COUNTY TREASURER; REGISTER OF DEEDS; DRAIN COMMISSIONER; CORONERS; SURVEYOR


168.191 County officers; eligibility.

Sec. 191.

  A person is not eligible to the office of county clerk, county treasurer, register of deeds, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, drain commissioner, surveyor, or coroner if the person is not a registered and qualified elector of the county in which election is sought by the filing deadline.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.192 Candidates for county offices; nomination at primary.

Sec. 192.

   A general primary election of all political parties shall be held in every county of this state on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August preceding the general November election at which the officers named in section 191 of this act are to be elected, at which time the qualified and registered electors of each political party may vote for party candidates for the offices. This section shall not apply to parties required to nominate candidates at caucuses or conventions.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 35, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code





168.193 Candidate for county offices; nominating petitions; signatures; form; nonrefundable filing fee in lieu of nominating petitions; deposit and use of fee.

Sec. 193.

  (1) To obtain the printing of the name of an individual as a candidate for nomination by a political party for an office named in section 191 under a particular party heading upon the official primary ballots, there must be filed with the county clerk nominating petitions signed by a number of qualified and registered electors residing within the county as determined under section 544f. Nominating petitions must be in the form prescribed in section 544c. The county clerk shall receive nominating petitions up to 4 p.m. of the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary.
  (2) To obtain the printing of the name of a candidate of a political party under the particular party's heading upon the primary election ballots in the various voting precincts of the county, there may be filed by the candidate, in lieu of filing nomination petitions, a nonrefundable filing fee of $100.00 to be paid to the county clerk. Payment of the fee and certification of the candidate's name paying the fee are governed by the same provisions as in the case of nominating petitions. The fee must be deposited in the general fund of the county and must be used only for the purchase and maintenance of voting equipment.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 35, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2021, Act 146, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 2021
Popular Name: Election Code





168.194 Candidates for nomination; withdrawal, notice.

Sec. 194.

   After the filing of a nominating petition or filing fee by or in behalf of a proposed candidate for any of the offices named in section 191 of this act, such candidate shall not be permitted to withdraw unless a written notice of withdrawal is served on the county clerk or his duly authorized agent not later than 4 o'clock, eastern standard time, in the afternoon of the third day after the last day for filing such petition or filing fee, as in this act provided, unless the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, in which case the notice of withdrawal may be served on the clerk up to 4 o'clock, eastern standard time, on the next secular day.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1959, Act 173, Eff. Mar. 19, 1960
Popular Name: Election Code





168.195 Candidate for county offices; death; selection of candidate to fill vacancy; ballots.

Sec. 195.

  If a candidate of a political party for prosecuting attorney, sheriff, county clerk, county treasurer, register of deeds, drain commissioner, coroner, or surveyor, after having qualified as a candidate, dies after the last day for qualifying, leaving the political party without a candidate for that office, a candidate to fill the vacancy may be selected by the members of the county committee of the candidate's political party, and the name of the candidate selected shall be transmitted to the county officials required by law to print and distribute ballots. The name of the candidate shall be printed on the ballots, but if the ballots have been printed, the county officials shall have the ballots reprinted with the candidate's name on the ballots and the reprinted ballots shall be distributed to the various voting precincts within their respective counties.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 322, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1966 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.196 Candidates for nomination; write-in.

Sec. 196.

  If for any reason the number of candidates of a political party for any 1 or more of the offices named in section 191 is equal to less than the total number to be nominated by the political party, a blank space or spaces shall be provided on each of the official primary ballots that affords every elector of the political party an opportunity to vote for as many candidates for the office as are to be nominated by the political party by writing in the name or names of his or her selection.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.197 Candidates for county offices; nomination, certification.

Sec. 197.

   The candidates of each political party for the offices named in section 191 of this act receiving the greatest number of votes cast for said offices, as set forth in the reports of the board of county canvassers, based on the returns from the various election precincts, or as determined by said board as the result of a recount, shall be declared the nominees of that political party for said offices at the next ensuing November election. The board of county canvassers shall forthwith certify such nominations to the county election commission.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.198 Withdrawal of candidate after nomination for office; replacement of candidate dying before election; vacancy.

Sec. 198.

  (1) If a candidate of a political party files a nominating petition or filing fee for a county office and has been nominated for the office by a political party, the candidate is not permitted to withdraw unless he or she has moved from the county or has become physically unfit.
  (2) If a candidate of a political party files a nominating petition or filing fee for the office of county commissioner and has been nominated for that office by a political party, the candidate is not permitted to withdraw unless he or she has moved from the county or from the district from which he or she was nominated or has become physically unfit.
  (3) If the person who has been nominated as the candidate of a political party for a county office or the office of county commissioner dies before the date of the election for that office, the county executive committee of the party whose candidate has died shall select, by majority vote, a replacement for that person. The name of the replacement selected shall be transmitted to the election officials responsible for the preparation and distribution of ballots, and the name of the replacement shall be affixed to each ballot in place of the name of the original candidate.
  (4) A vacancy shall not be filled by a county executive committee except as provided in this section.
  (5) This prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the withdrawal of a candidate who was nominated without having filed a nominating petition or filing fee and whose name has been written or placed on the ballot of a political party.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1974, Act 273, Imd. Eff. Oct. 2, 1974 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.199 Candidates for county offices; death, withdrawal or disqualification; new candidate, selection, certification; ballots.

Sec. 199.

   Whenever a candidate of a political party, after having been nominated to any office named in section 191 of this act, shall die, withdraw as provided in section 198, remove from the county, or become disqualified for any reason, the county committee of such party shall meet forthwith and, by a majority vote of the members thereof, shall select a candidate to fill the vacancy thereby caused. The name of the candidate so selected shall be immediately certified by the chairman and the secretary of said committee to the county clerk and to the board of county election commissioners, whose duty it is to prepare the official ballots and who shall cause to be printed or placed upon such ballots, in the proper place, the name of the candidate so selected to fill such vacancy.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.200 County officers; election; combination or separation of offices of county clerk and register of deeds.

Sec. 200.

  (1) A county clerk, a county treasurer, a register of deeds, a prosecuting attorney, a sheriff, a drain commissioner, and a surveyor shall be elected at the 2000 general November election and every fourth year after that. However, in a county in which 1 of these offices is abolished or combined as provided by law, no person shall be elected to that office in that county.
  (2) Subject to subsections (3), (4), and (5), a county board of commissioners may by resolution combine the offices of county clerk and register of deeds in 1 office of the clerk register or separate the office of the clerk register into the offices of county clerk and register of deeds. A combination or separation of offices shall not take effect before the expiration of the current term of the affected offices.
  (3) Before adopting a resolution to combine the offices of county clerk and register of deeds or separate the office of clerk register into the offices of county clerk and register of deeds, a county board of commissioners shall study the question of combining or separating the offices. The mandatory requirements of this subsection may be satisfied by conducting a public hearing pursuant to subsection (4).
  (4) The county board of commissioners as a whole body shall hold not less than 1 public hearing, held subject to the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275, on the question of combining or separating the offices of county clerk and register of deeds. The county board of commissioners may vote on the question as a regularly scheduled agenda item not less than 10 days or more than 30 days after the last public hearing held by the county board of commissioners on the question.
  (5) Not later than the sixth Tuesday before the deadline for filing the nominating petitions for the office of county clerk, register of deeds, or clerk register, the county board of commissioners may by a vote of 2/3 of the commissioners elected and serving combine the offices of county clerk and register of deeds or separate the office of the clerk register. The resolution shall become effective upon the commencement of the next term of office of the county clerk, register of deeds, or clerk register after the adoption of the resolution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 364, Imd. Eff. Oct. 20, 1998
Popular Name: Election Code





168.201 County officers; certificate of determination by board of county canvassers.

Sec. 201.

   The board of county canvassers shall determine which candidates for the offices named in section 191 of this act received the greatest number of votes and shall declare such candidates to be duly elected. The said board shall forthwith make and subscribe on its statement of returns a certificate of such determination and deliver same to the county clerk within 14 days following the date of the election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.202 County officers; certificate of election; publication of certificate of determination and statement of votes.

Sec. 202.

   The county clerk shall file in his or her office and preserve the original statement and determination of the board of county canvassers of the results of the election and shall immediately execute and cause to be delivered to the persons declared elected to the offices named in section 200 a properly certified certificate of election, certified by him or her under the seal of the county. The county clerk may cause a copy of the certificate of determination, together with a statement of the votes cast at the election for the offices, to be published in at least 1 newspaper printed or circulated, or both, in that county.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 162, Eff. Mar. 31, 1986
Popular Name: Election Code





168.203 County officers; terms of office.

Sec. 203.

   The term of office of the county clerk, county treasurer, register of deeds, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, drain commissioner, surveyor and coroner shall begin on January 1 next following the election, and continues until a successor is elected and qualified, except that in counties having a population of 1,000,000 or more the term of office of the county treasurer shall begin on July 1 next following the election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 35, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 185, Imd. Eff. May 20, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code





168.204 County officers; oath of office, bond, deposit.

Sec. 204.

   Every person elected to an office named in section 200 of this act, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 1 of article 11 of the state constitution and, with the exception of the prosecuting attorney, shall give bond in the amount and manner prescribed by law and shall deposit said oath with the county clerk and said bond with the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall file his bond with the county clerk.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 35, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code





168.205 County officers; resignation, notice.

Sec. 205.

   Any person duly elected to any of the county offices named in section 200 of this act who desires to resign shall file a written notice containing the effective date of such resignation with the presiding or senior judge of probate, the county clerk and the prosecuting attorney of said county: Provided, That if the county clerk or the prosecuting attorney desires to resign, he shall file a written notice containing the effective date of such resignation with the presiding judge of that judicial circuit.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.206 County offices; vacancy, creation.

Sec. 206.

   The office of county clerk, county treasurer, register of deeds, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, drain commissioner, surveyor or coroner in any county in this state shall become vacant upon the happening of any of the following events: Death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office for cause; his ceasing to be a resident of the county in which his office is located; his conviction of an infamous crime or an offense involving the violation of his oath of office; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring his election or appointment void; his refusal or neglect to take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office and deposit the same in the manner and within the time prescribed by law; or his refusal or neglect to give bond in the amount and manner and within the time prescribed by law.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.206a County officers; death before commencement of term.

Sec. 206a.

   Whenever any person elected to the office of county clerk, county treasurer, register of deeds, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, drain commissioner, surveyor or coroner in any county shall die before the commencement of the term for which he was elected, there shall be a vacancy for the term to which such person was elected to be filled according to law. The vacancy shall be filled within 15 days after the beginning of the term for which he was elected.


History: Add. 1965, Act 156, Eff. Mar. 31, 1966
Popular Name: Election Code





168.207 County officers; removal from office; service of charges, hearing.

Sec. 207.

   The governor may remove any and all county officers named in section 200 of this chapter when he shall be satisfied from sufficient evidence submitted to him, as hereinafter provided, that such officer has been guilty of official misconduct, or of wilful neglect of duty, or of extortion, or habitual drunkenness, or has been convicted of being drunk, or whenever it shall appear by a certified copy of the judgment of a court of record of this state that such officer, after his election or appointment, shall have been convicted of a felony; but the governor shall take no action upon any such charges made to him against any such officer until the same shall have been exhibited to him in writing, verified by the affidavit of the party making them, that he believes the charges to be true. But no such officer shall be removed for such misconduct or neglect until charges thereof shall have been exhibited to the governor as above provided and a copy of the same served on such officer and an opportunity given him of being heard in his defense: Provided, That the service of such charges upon the person or persons complained against shall be made by handing to such person or persons a copy of such charges, together with all affidavits or exhibits which may be attached to the original petition if such person or persons can be found; and if not, by leaving a copy at the last place of residence of such person or persons, with some person of suitable age, if such person can be found; and if not, by posting it in some conspicuous place upon his last known place of residence. No officer who has been removed in accordance with the provisions of this section shall be eligible to election or appointment to any office for a period of 3 years from the date of such removal.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.208 Repealed. 2014, Act 418, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2014.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to removal of county clerk by circuit court judge and circuit court commissioner.





168.209 County office; vacancy; manner of filling.

Sec. 209.

  If a vacancy occurs in an elective or appointive county office, it shall be filled in the following manner:
  (1) If the vacancy is in the office of county clerk or prosecuting attorney, it shall be filled by appointment by the judge or judges of that judicial circuit.
  (2) If the vacancy is in any other county office, the presiding or senior judge of probate, the county clerk, and the prosecuting attorney shall appoint a suitable person to fill the vacancy.
  (3) A person appointed shall take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 1 of article XI of the state constitution of 1963, give bond in the manner required by law, and hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term and until a successor is elected and qualified. However, if the vacancy occurs more than 7 days before the nominating petition filing deadline as provided in section 193 for the general November election that is not the general November election at which a successor in office would be elected if there were no vacancy, the person appointed shall hold office only until a successor is elected at the next general November election in the manner provided by law and qualifies for office. The successor shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 35, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 156, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014
Popular Name: Election Code





168.210 County officers; primary or election, recount of votes.

Sec. 210.

   The votes cast for any candidate for any of the offices named in section 200 of this act at any primary or election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.211 County officers; recall.

Sec. 211.

   Any person elected to the offices named in section 200 of this act shall be subject to recall as provided in chapter 36 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XI
COUNTY AUDITORS


168.221 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to applicability of chapter.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.222 Repealed. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to eligibility for office of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.223 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to primary dates for nomination of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.223a Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to terms of office for county auditor in county with population over 1,000,000.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.224 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to filing of nominating petitions for office of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.225 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to withdrawal of candidate for office of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.226 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to death of candidate for office of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.227 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to writing in name of candidate on ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.228 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to declaration of nominee of political party.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.229 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to withdrawal of candidate for county auditor after filing of nominating petition.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.230 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to death, withdrawal, or disqualification of candidate for office of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.231 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to election of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.232 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to certificate of determination by board of county canvassers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.233 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to filing and preservation of statement and determination of election results and publication of certificate of determination and statement of votes.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.234 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to term of office of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.235 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to oath of office by county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.236 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to resignation of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.237 Repealed. 2018, Act 120. Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to events leading to vacancy of office of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.238 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to removal of county auditor from office.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.239 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to appointment to fill vacancy in office of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.240 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to recounting of votes in primary or election of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.241 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to recall of person elected to office of county auditor.
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XII
COUNTY ROAD COMMISSIONERS


168.251 Scope of chapter.

Sec. 251.

   This chapter shall not be applicable in counties in which the county road commissioners are appointed by the board of county supervisors.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.252 County road commissioner; eligibility.

Sec. 252.

   No person shall be eligible to the office of county road commissioner who shall not have been a citizen of the United States and a qualified and registered elector of the county in which election is sought for at least 1 year next preceding his election, nor shall he be a member of the county board of supervisors.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.253 Candidates for county road commissioner; nomination at primary.

Sec. 253.

   A general primary election of all political parties shall be held on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August preceding every general November election in which county road commissioners are elected, at which time the qualified and registered electors of each political party may vote for party candidates for the office of county road commissioner.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 62, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.254 Office of county road commissioner; nominating petitions; signatures; form; nonrefundable filing fee; nominating petitions; deposit and use of fee.

Sec. 254.

  (1) To obtain the printing of the name of an individual as a candidate for nomination by a political party for the office of county road commissioner under a particular party heading upon the official primary ballots, there must be filed with the county clerk of the county nominating petitions signed by a number of qualified and registered electors residing within the county as determined under section 544f. Nominating petitions must be in the form prescribed in section 544c. The county clerk shall receive nominating petitions up to 4 p.m. of the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary in which county road commissioners are to be elected.
  (2) To obtain the printing of the name of a candidate of a political party under the particular party's heading upon the primary election ballots in the various voting precincts of the county, there may be filed by each candidate, in lieu of filing nominating petitions, a nonrefundable filing fee of $100.00 to be paid to the county clerk. Payment of the fee and certification of the name of the candidate paying the fee are governed by the same provisions as in the case of nominating petitions. The fee must be deposited in the general fund of the county and must be used only for the purchase and maintenance of voting equipment.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 62, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2021, Act 146, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 2021
Popular Name: Election Code





168.255 Candidate for county road commissioner; death; selection of candidate to fill vacancy; ballots.

Sec. 255.

  If a candidate of a political party for the office of county road commissioner, after having qualified as a candidate, dies after the last day for qualifying, leaving the political party without a candidate for the office of county road commissioner, a candidate to fill the vacancy may be selected by the members of the county committee of the candidate's political party for the county, and the name of the candidate selected shall be transmitted to the county officials required by law to print and distribute ballots. The name of the candidate shall be printed on the ballots, but if the ballots have been printed, the county officials shall have the ballots reprinted with the candidate's name on the ballots and the reprinted ballots shall be distributed to the various voting precincts within their respective county.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 322, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1966 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.256 Candidates for nomination; withdrawal, notice.

Sec. 256.

   After the filing of nominating petitions or filing fee by or in behalf of a proposed candidate for the office of county road commissioner, such candidate shall not be permitted to withdraw unless a written notice of withdrawal is served on the county clerk or his duly authorized agent not later than 4 o'clock, eastern standard time, in the afternoon of the third day after the last day for filing such petition, as in this act provided.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.257 Candidates for county road commissioner; write-in.

Sec. 257.

  If for any reason there is no candidate of a political party for county road commissioner, a blank space shall be provided on each of the official primary ballots that affords every elector of the political party an opportunity to vote for a candidate for that office by writing in the name of his or her selection.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.258 Candidates for county road commissioner; nomination, certification.

Sec. 258.

   The candidate of each political party for the office of county road commissioner receiving the greatest number of votes cast for candidates for said office, as set forth in the report of the board of county canvassers, based on the returns from the various election precincts, or as determined by said board as the result of a recount, shall be declared the nominee of that political party for said office at the next ensuing November election, and the board of county canvassers shall forthwith certify such nomination to the county election commission.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.259 Candidates; withdrawal after nomination.

Sec. 259.

   When a candidate of any political party has filed nominating petitions or filing fee for such office and has been nominated for said office by said party, he shall not be permitted to withdraw unless he has removed from the county, or has become physically unfit. No vacancy shall be filled by the county committee except for the causes and as herein specified: Provided, That this prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the withdrawal of any candidate who has been nominated without having filed a nominating petition or filing fee, and whose name has been written or placed on the ballot of any political party.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.260 Candidates; death, withdrawal or disqualification; selection of new candidate, certification; ballots.

Sec. 260.

   When the candidate of a political party, after having been nominated to the office of county road commissioner, shall die, withdraw, remove from the county, or become disqualified for any reason, the county committee of such party shall meet forthwith and, by a majority vote of the members thereof, shall select a candidate to fill the vacancy thereby caused. The name of the candidate so selected shall be immediately certified by the chairman and the secretary of said committee to the county clerk and to the board of county election commissioners, whose duty it is to prepare the official ballots and who shall cause to be printed or placed upon such ballots, in the proper place, the name of the candidate so selected to fill such vacancy.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.261 County road commissioner; election.

Sec. 261.

   A county road commissioner shall be elected at the general election to be held on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday of November in every even numbered year.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.262 County road commissioner; certificate of determination by board of county canvassers.

Sec. 262.

   The board of county canvassers shall determine which candidate for county road commissioner received the greatest number of votes and shall declare such candidate to be duly elected. The said board shall forthwith make and subscribe on its statement of returns a certificate of such determination and deliver the same to the county clerk.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.263 County road commissioner; certificate of election.

Sec. 263.

   The county clerk shall file in his office and preserve the original statement and determination of the board of county canvassers of the results of the election and shall forthwith execute and cause to be delivered to the person thereby declared to be elected to the office of county road commissioner a certificate of election, certified by him under the seal of the county.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.264 County road commissioner; term of office.

Sec. 264.

   The term of office for county road commissioner shall be 6 years, beginning on the first day of January next following his election, and shall continue until a successor shall have been elected and qualified.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.265 County road commissioner; oath of office, bond, deposit.

Sec. 265.

  Every person elected to the office of county road commissioner, before entering upon the duties of the office, must take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 1 of article XI of the state constitution of 1963, must give bond in the amount and manner prescribed by law, and must deposit the oath with the county clerk and the bond with the county treasurer.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 62, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 341, Eff. Dec. 12, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.266 County road commissioner; resignation, notice.

Sec. 266.

   Any person duly elected to the office of county road commissioner of any county who desires to resign shall file a written notice containing the effective date of such resignation with the chairman of the board of county supervisors and a copy with the county clerk.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.267 County road commissioner; vacancy, creation.

Sec. 267.

   The office of county road commissioner in any county in this state shall become vacant upon the happening of any of the following events: Death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office for cause; his ceasing to be a resident of the county where his office is located; his conviction of an infamous crime, or an offense involving the violation of his oath of office; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring his election or appointment void; his refusal or neglect to take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office and deposit the same in the manner and within the time prescribed by law; or his refusal or neglect to give bond in the amount and manner and within the time prescribed by law.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.268 County road commissioner; removal from office; service of charges, hearing; ineligibility for office.

Sec. 268.

   The governor may remove any county road commissioner when he shall be satisfied from sufficient evidence submitted to him, as hereinafter provided, that such officer has been guilty of official misconduct, or of wilful neglect of duty, or of extortion, or habitual drunkenness, or has been convicted of being drunk, or whenever it shall appear by a certified copy of the judgment of a court of record of this state that such officer, after his election or appointment, shall have been convicted of a felony; but the governor shall take no action upon any such charges made to him against any such officer until the same shall have been exhibited to him in writing, verified by the affidavit of the party making them, that he believes the charges to be true. But no such officer shall be removed for such misconduct or neglect until charges thereof shall have been exhibited to the governor as above provided and a copy of the same served on such officer and an opportunity given him of being heard in his defense: Provided, That the service of such charges upon the person or persons complained against shall be made by handing to such person or persons a copy of such charges, together with all affidavits or exhibits which may be attached to the original petition if such person or persons can be found; and if not, by leaving a copy at the last place of residence of such person or persons, with some person of suitable age, if such person can be found; and if not, by posting it in some conspicuous place upon his last known place of residence. No officer who has been removed in accordance with the provisions of this section shall be eligible to election or appointment to any office for a period of 3 years from the date of such removal.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.269 County road commissioner; appointment to fill vacancy; oath; bond; term.

Sec. 269.

  If a vacancy occurs in the office of county road commissioner, a qualified person shall be appointed to fill the vacancy by the county board of commissioners. The person appointed shall take the oath of office, give bond in the manner required by law, and hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term and until a successor is elected and qualified. However, in a county in which county road commissioners are elected, if the vacancy occurs more than 7 days before the nominating petition filing deadline as provided in section 254 for the general November election that is not the general November election at which a successor in office would be elected if there were no vacancy, the person appointed shall hold office only until a successor is elected at the next general November election in the manner provided by law and qualifies for office. The successor shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 156, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014
Popular Name: Election Code





168.270 County road commissioner; primary or election, recount of votes.

Sec. 270.

   The votes cast for any candidate for county road commissioner at any primary or election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.271 County road commissioner; recall.

Sec. 271.

   Any person elected to the office of county road commissioner shall be subject to recall as provided in chapter 36 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XIII
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; BOARD OF REGENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN; BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY; BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY


168.281 State board of education and boards of state universities; membership eligibility.

Sec. 281.

  A person is not eligible to membership on the state board of education, the board of regents of the University of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan State University, or the board of governors of Wayne State University if the person is not a registered and qualified elector of this state on the date the person is nominated for the office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.282 Candidates for boards of state universities; nomination at fall state conventions.

Sec. 282.

   At its fall state convention each political party may nominate 2 candidates for membership on the board of regents of the University of Michigan, 2 candidates for membership on the board of trustees of Michigan State University and 2 candidates for membership on the board of governors of Wayne State University. Nomination to membership on the board of regents of the University of Michigan shall occur in 1966 and every second year thereafter. Nomination to the board of trustees of Michigan State University and to the board of governors of Wayne State University shall occur in 1964 and every second year thereafter.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.282a Candidates for state board of education; nomination at fall state convention.

Sec. 282a.

   At its fall state convention of 1964, each political party may nominate 8 candidates for membership on the state board of education. Two candidates shall be nominated for 2-year terms, 2 for 4-year terms, 2 for 6-year terms and 2 for 8-year terms. At its fall state convention of 1966, and every 2 years thereafter, each political party may nominate 2 candidates for membership on the state board of education.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.283 Candidates for state board of education and boards of state universities; canvass by state central committee of each political party; list.

Sec. 283.

  Not more than 24 hours after the conclusion of the fall state convention, the state central committee of each political party shall canvass the proceedings of the convention and determine the nominees of the convention for membership on the state board of education, the board of regents of the University of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan State University, and the board of governors of Wayne State University. Not more than 1 business day after the conclusion of the state convention, the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee shall forward to the secretary of state a typewritten or printed list of the names and residence, including the street address if known, of the candidates nominated at the convention for the offices specified in this section. The secretary of state shall forward a copy of a list received under this section to the board of election commissioners of each county, in care of the county clerk at the county seat.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 113, Eff. Oct. 25, 2017
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001--AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:--Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.--Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.--Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.--Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.--Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.--Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.284 Candidates for state board of education and boards of certain state universities; withdrawal; notice.

Sec. 284.

   A person who is certified by the state central committee of a party as nominated for membership on the state board of education, the board of regents of the university of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan state university, or the board of governors of Wayne state university may withdraw by filing a written notice of withdrawal with the secretary of state or his or her duly authorized agent and a copy with the chairperson and the secretary of the state central committee of the party not later than 4 p.m., eastern standard time, of the fourth business day following the conclusion of the convention at which the person was nominated.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999
Popular Name: Election Code





168.285 Candidates for state board of education and boards of state universities; death, withdrawal or disqualification; election of new candidate, certification; ballots.

Sec. 285.

   Whenever a candidate of a political party, after having been nominated to membership on the state board of education, the board of regents of the University of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan State University, or the board of governors of Wayne State University, shall die, withdraw, remove from the state, or become disqualified for any reason, the state central committee of said party shall meet forthwith and, by a majority vote of the members thereof, shall select a candidate to fill the vacancy thereby caused. The name of the candidate so selected shall be immediately certified by the chairman and the secretary of said committee to the secretary of state and to the board of election commissioners for each county, whose duty it is to prepare the official ballots, and said board shall cause to be printed or placed upon said ballots, in the proper place, the name of the candidate so selected to fill the vacancy.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.286 Boards of state universities; election.

Sec. 286.

   Two members of the board of regents of the University of Michigan shall be elected at the general election in 1966 and in every general election thereafter. Two members of the board of trustees of Michigan State University and 2 members of the board of governors of Wayne State University shall be elected at the general election in 1964 and in every general election thereafter.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.286a State board of education; election.

Sec. 286a.

   Eight members of the state board of education shall be elected at the general election in 1964. Two members shall be elected for 2-year terms, 2 for 4-year terms, 2 for 6-year terms, and 2 for 8-year terms. Two members of the state board of education shall be elected for 8-year terms at the general election in 1966 and in every general election thereafter.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.287 State board of education and boards of state universities; certificate of determination by board of state canvassers.

Sec. 287.

   The board of state canvassers shall determine which candidates for membership on the state board of education, the board of regents of the University of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan State University and the board of governors of Wayne State University have received the greatest number of votes and shall declare such candidates to be duly elected. The said board shall forthwith make and subscribe on its statement of returns a certificate of such determination and deliver the same to the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.288 State board of education and boards of state universities; certificate of election.

Sec. 288.

   The secretary of state shall file in his office and preserve the original statement and determination of the board of state canvassers of the result of the election and shall forthwith execute and cause to be delivered to the persons thereby declared to be elected to membership on the state board of education, the board of regents of the University of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan State University and the board of governors of Wayne State University a certificate of election, certified by him under the great seal of the state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.289 State board of education and boards of state universities; terms of office.

Sec. 289.

   Subject to section 286a, the term of office of members of the state board of education, the board of regents of the University of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan State University, and the board of governors of Wayne State University shall be 8 years and shall begin at 12 noon on January 1 next following their election. The terms of office of members of said boards shall continue until a successor is elected and qualified.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.290 State board of education and boards of state universities; oath of office, deposit.

Sec. 290.

   Every person elected to membership on the state board of education, the board of regents of the University of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan State University, or the board of governors of Wayne State University, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 1 of article 11 of the state constitution, and shall deposit said oath with the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.291 State board of education and boards of state universities; resignation, notice.

Sec. 291.

   Any person duly elected to membership on the state board of education, the board of regents of the University of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan State University or the board of governors of Wayne State University, who desires to resign shall file a written notice containing the effective date of such resignation with the governor and a copy with the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.292 State board of education and boards of state universities; vacancy, creation, notice to governor.

Sec. 292.

   There shall be a vacancy on the state board of education, the board of regents of the University of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan State University, or the board of governors of Wayne State University upon the happening of any of the following events: Death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office for cause; his ceasing to be a resident of the state; his conviction of an infamous crime, or an offense involving the violation of his oath of office; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring his election or appointment void; or his neglect or refusal to take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office and deposit the same in the manner and within the time prescribed by law. When a vacancy shall occur on any of the said boards, a notice of such vacancy and the reason why the same exists shall, within 10 days after such vacancy occurs, be given in writing to the governor. Such notice shall be given by the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.293 State board of education and boards of state universities; impeachment; removal from office, service of charges, hearing.

Sec. 293.

   Any member of said boards may be removed from office upon conviction in impeachment proceedings for the reasons and in the manner set forth in section 7 of article 11 of the state constitution. The governor shall have the power and it shall be his duty, except at such time as the legislature may be in session, to examine into the condition and administration of the said boards and the acts of the members enumerated herein and to remove from office for gross neglect of duty or for corrupt conduct in office, or any other misfeasance or malfeasance therein, and report the causes of such removal to the legislature at its next session. Such person shall be served with a written notice of the charges against him and be afforded an opportunity for a public hearing conducted personally by the governor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.294 State board of education and boards of state universities; appointment, vacancy, oath of office.

Sec. 294.

   Whenever a vacancy shall occur on the state board of education, the board of regents of the University of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan State University, or the board of governors of Wayne State University, the governor shall appoint a successor to fill such vacancy, and the person so appointed shall take the oath of office and shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term and until his successor is elected and qualified. A candidate receiving the highest number of votes for membership on any of said boards and who has subscribed to the constitutional oath shall be deemed to be elected and qualified even though a vacancy occurs prior to the time he shall have entered upon the duties of his office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.295 State board of education and boards of state universities; election, recount of votes.

Sec. 295.

   The votes cast for any candidate for membership on the state board of education, the board of regents of the University of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan State University and the board of governors of Wayne State University at any election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.296 State board of education and boards of state universities; recall.

Sec. 296.

   Any person elected to membership on the state board of education, the board of regents of the University of Michigan, the board of trustees of Michigan State University, or the board of governors of Wayne State University shall be subject to recall as provided in chapter 36 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 5, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XIV
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE ELECTIONS


168.301 School district election; school district election coordinator; duties; delegation; precincts and polling place locations.

Sec. 301.

  (1) Unless a particular power or duty of an election official or a particular election procedure is specifically governed by a provision of this chapter, a school district election is governed by the provisions of this act that generally govern elections.
  (2) Except as provided in section 305, the school district election coordinator for a school district shall conduct each regular election and each special election that is requested by the school board to submit a ballot question or to fill a vacancy on the school board. In addition to receiving requests from the school board to hold special elections, the school district election coordinator shall do all of the following:
  (a) Receive filing fees or nominating petitions and affidavits of identity from candidates for school board and petitions for special elections.
  (b) Procure the necessary qualified voter file precinct lists.
  (c) Certify candidates.
  (d) Receive ballot proposal language.
  (e) Issue absent voter ballots.
  (3) A school district election coordinator who is a county clerk may delegate, if the city or township clerk agrees, all or a portion of the school district election coordinator's duties to that city or township clerk. The school district election coordinator shall not delegate duties to any person not named in this section.
  (4) A school district election coordinator who is a county clerk may delegate the following duties to the city or township clerk, who shall perform the following duties:
  (a) Distribute, receive, and process absent voter ballot applications for a school election.
  (b) Make voting systems available for the conduct of a school election.
  (c) Make available to the school district election coordinator the list of election inspectors for that city or township.
  (d) Notify school district electors of precinct and polling place location changes.
  (5) If the county clerk is the school district election coordinator for a school district, the county election commission shall establish that school district's election precincts and polling place locations in accordance with this act.


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 286, Imd. Eff. July 23, 2004 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005
Compiler's Notes: Former Chapter XIV. and its contents, MCL 168.301-168.316, were repealed by Act 6 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.Former Chapter XIV. was entitled “SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER.” Former MCL 168.301 pertained to eligibility for office of state highway commissioner or superintendent of public instruction.Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.302 School board member; eligibility; election; term; phasing in or out terms; transition plan.

Sec. 302.

  An individual is eligible for election as a school board member if the individual is a citizen of the United States and is a qualified and registered elector of the school district the individual seeks to represent by the filing deadline. At least 1 school board member for a school district must be elected at each of the school district's regular elections held as provided in section 642c. Except as otherwise provided in this section or section 310 or 644g, a school board member's term of office is prescribed by the applicable provision of section 11a, 617, 701, or 703 of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.11a, 380.617, 380.701, and 380.703, or section 34, 34a, 41, 54, or 83 of the community college act of 1966, 1966 PA 331, MCL 389.34, 389.34a, 389.41, 389.54, and 389.83. If a ballot question changing the number of school board members or changing the terms of office for school board members under section 11a of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.11a, is proposed and a school district needs a temporary variance from the terms of office provisions in this act and the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1 to 380.1852, to phase in or out school board members' terms of office, the school board shall submit the proposed ballot question language and a proposed transition plan to the secretary of state at least 30 days before the school board submits the ballot question language to the school district election coordinator under section 312. The secretary of state shall approve or reject the proposed transition plan within 10 business days of receipt of the proposed transition plan. The secretary of state shall approve the proposed transition plan if the plan provides only temporary relief to the school district from the terms of office provisions in this act and the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1 to 380.1852, until such time that the terms of office for school board members can be made to comply with this act and the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1 to 380.1852. The school board shall not submit the proposed ballot question language to the school district election coordinator under section 312 until the proposed transition plan is approved by the secretary of state. A school board member's term begins on January 1 immediately following the election.


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 233, Eff. Jan. 1, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.302, which pertained to nomination as candidate for office of state highway commissioner or superintendent of public instruction, was repealed by Act 6 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.302a Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to adoption of transition plan by resolution at public hearing.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.303 Candidate for school board member; name on official ballot; nominating petition; form; signature violations; felony or misdemeanor; penalties; filing fee; withdrawal.

Sec. 303.

  (1) Subject to subsection (8), for an individual's name to appear on the official ballot as a candidate for school board member, the candidate shall file a nominating petition and the affidavit required by section 558 with the school district filing official not later than 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the election date. The nominating petition must be signed by the following number of electors of the school district:
  (a) If the population of the school district is less than 10,000 according to the most recent federal census, a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 20.
  (b) If the population of the school district is 10,000 or more according to the most recent federal census, a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 100.
  (2) The nominating petition must be substantially in the form prescribed in section 544c, except that the petition must be nonpartisan and must include the following opening paragraph:
We, the undersigned, registered and qualified voters
of _______________________________________________________
and residents of the _______________________________, the
(legal name of school district)
county of _____________________________, state of Michigan,
(city or township)
nominate __________________________________________________
(name of candidate)
_______________________________ ________________________,
(street address) (city or township)
a registered and qualified elector of the district as a member of the board of education of the school district for a term of ______ years, expiring ______, to be voted for at the election to be held on the ______ day of ___________, ______.
(month) (year)
(3) An individual shall not knowingly sign more nominating petitions for the same office than there are persons to be elected to the office. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (4) An individual shall not do any of the following:
  (a) Sign a nominating petition with a name other than his or her own.
  (b) Make a false statement in a certificate on a nominating petition.
  (c) If not a circulator, sign a nominating petition as a circulator.
  (d) Sign a name as circulator other than his or her own.
  (5) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (6), an individual who violates subsection (4) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 93 days, or both.
  (6) An individual shall not sign a nominating petition with multiple names. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony.
  (7) If an individual signs a nominating petition in violation of this section, any signature by that individual on the petition is invalid and must not be counted.
  (8) Instead of filing nominating petitions, a candidate for school board member may pay a nonrefundable filing fee of $100.00 to the school district filing official. If this fee is paid by the due date for a nominating petition, the payment has the same effect under this section as the filing of a nominating petition.
  (9) A nominating petition filed under this chapter is subject to the examination and investigation process prescribed in section 552 as to its sufficiency and the validity and genuineness of the signatures on the nominating petition, and to the other procedures prescribed in that section relevant to a petition filed under this chapter.
  (10) After a nominating petition is filed or filing fee is paid for a candidate for school board member, the candidate is not permitted to withdraw unless a written withdrawal notice, signed by the candidate, is filed with the school district filing official not later than 4 p.m. of the third day after the last day for filing the nominating petition. If the school district filing official is not a county clerk, the school district filing official shall notify the county clerk of the candidates' names and addresses not later than 3 days after the last day for filing a withdrawal notice.
  


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 650, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Compiler's Notes: In the form in subsection (2), the first instance of the descriptive element "(city or township)" is evidently positioned below the wrong blank line. The element should be positioned below the first blank line in the form.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.304 Repealed. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 6, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to withdrawal from nomination for office of state highway commissioner or superintendent of public instruction.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.305 School district election coordinating committee; meeting; report; election arrangements; review; precincts.

Sec. 305.

  (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this chapter, the school district election coordinating committee for each school district shall hold an initial meeting. Within 14 days after convening the initial meeting, the school district election coordinating committee shall file a report with the secretary of state that sets forth the arrangements that are agreed upon for the conduct of the school district's elections. Each school district election coordinating committee member shall sign the report and retain a copy.
  (2) After filing its initial report under subsection (1) and until December 31, 2012, a school district election coordinating committee shall meet at 2-year intervals to review and, if necessary, alter the election arrangements set forth in its previous report. Beginning January 1, 2013, a school district election coordinating committee shall meet at 4-year intervals or earlier if determined necessary by the chairperson of the school district election coordinating committee to review and, if necessary, alter the election arrangements set forth in its previous report. After each review, a school district election coordinating committee shall either notify the secretary of state in writing that its previous report is not being altered or file with the secretary of state a report with the alterations. Until December 31, 2012, election arrangements made by the clerks of the jurisdictions participating in the school district election coordinating committee meeting are binding on the participating jurisdictions for at least 2 years after the report is filed, and each jurisdiction continues to be bound until an altered report is filed. Beginning January 1, 2013, election arrangements made by the clerks of the jurisdictions participating in the school district election coordinating committee meeting are binding on the participating jurisdictions until an altered report is filed.
  (3) The arrangements agreed upon by a school district election coordinating committee for the conduct of the school district's elections shall accomplish at least both of the following:
  (a) If a school district election is held on the same day as an election of a jurisdiction that overlaps with the school district, an elector wishing to vote in both elections shall not be required to vote at 2 different locations.
  (b) If, before the filing of an initial report or of the notice or altered report after its review, a city or township clerk notifies the school district election coordinating committee that the city or township clerk, in consultation with the city council or township board, as applicable, has decided to participate in the conduct of the school district's elections, the school district election coordinating committee shall include that city or township clerk in its initial or an altered report as the person conducting the school district's elections in the clerk's city or township.
  (4) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, if a city or township is holding an election for elective office or on a ballot question at the same time that a school district located in whole or part in the city or township is holding an election, the city or township clerk shall also conduct the school district election within his or her jurisdiction. If a city or township clerk is conducting a school election under this subsection, the clerk shall use the same precincts that are used for state and federal elections as the precincts for the school district election. If these precincts change the polling place location for school district electors, the clerk shall notify those school district electors of the location of the different polling place. A city or township clerk with the consent of the school district election coordinator may use the school election precincts and polling places. A city or township clerk conducting an election under this subsection may consolidate election precincts in the manner provided in section 659.


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 287, Imd. Eff. July 23, 2004 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 334, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 2010
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.305, which pertained to filling vacated nominated candidacies for offices of state highway commissioner and superintendent of public instruction, was repealed by Act 6 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.306 Repealed. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 6, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to election dates of state highway commissioner and superintendent of public instruction.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.307 Statement of returns; certification of election; votes subject to recount.

Sec. 307.

  (1) The appropriate board of county canvassers as prescribed in section 24a shall canvass the votes for candidates for school board member and votes for and against a ballot question at a regular or special election in each school district. That number of candidates equal to the number of individuals to be elected who receive the greatest number of votes cast at the election, as set forth in the report of the board of county canvassers canvassing the votes, based upon the returns from the election precincts or as determined by the board of county canvassers as a result of a recount, are elected to the office of school board member. Except as otherwise provided in section 24a(4), upon completion of the canvass, the board of county canvassers shall make a statement of returns and certify the election of school board members to the secretary of the school board, the county clerk, and, if other than the county clerk, the school district election coordinator.
  (2) The votes cast for a candidate for school board member or on a ballot question submitted to the electors at a school election are subject to recount as provided in chapter XXXIII. An individual elected to the office of school board member is subject to recall as provided in chapter XXXVI and in section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963.


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 55, Imd. Eff. Apr. 22, 2010 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.307, which pertained to certificate of determination by board of state canvassers declaring election to offices of state highway commissioner and supertintendent of public instruction, was repealed by Act 6 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.308 Certification of board of county canvassers; preservation; filing; execution.

Sec. 308.

  A local official who receives the certification of the board of county canvassers under section 307 shall preserve and file in his or her office the certified statement of returns and certification of the board of county canvassers of the result of the election. The county clerk who is the secretary to the board of county canvassers canvassing the school board election shall immediately execute and provide to the individuals declared elected to the office of school board member a certificate of election.


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.308, which pertained to preservation and certifcation of election results of state highway commissioner and superintendent of public instruction, was repealed by Act 6 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.309 Acceptance of office.

Sec. 309.

   Within 5 business days after certification of an election, each member-elect shall be notified of the election. Within 10 business days after notification by the school district election coordinator of election or appointment to the board, each person shall file with the secretary of the board an acceptance of the office to which the person has been elected or appointed. The secretary of the board shall forward a copy of the acceptance to the school district election coordinator.


History: Add. 2004, Act 288, Imd. Eff. July 23, 2004
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.309, which pertained to terms of office of state highway commissioner and superintendent of public instruction, was repealed by Act 6 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.310 Office of school board member; oath; vacancy; conditions.

Sec. 310.

  (1) Before entering upon the duties of his or her office, an individual elected to the office of school board member shall take and subscribe to the oath provided in section 1 of article XI of the state constitution of 1963.
  (2) The office of a school board member becomes vacant immediately, regardless of declaration by an officer or acceptance by the school board or 1 or more of its members, upon any of the following events:
  (a) The death of the school board member.
  (b) The school board member's being adjudicated insane or being found to be a legally incapacitated individual by a court of competent jurisdiction.
  (c) The school board member's resignation.
  (d) The school board member's removal from office.
  (e) The school board member's conviction for a felony.
  (f) The school board member's election or appointment being declared void by a competent tribunal.
  (g) The school board member's neglect or failure to file the acceptance of office, to take the oath of office, or to give or renew an official bond required by law.
  (h) The school board member ceasing to possess the legal qualifications for holding office.
  (i) The school board member moving his or her residence from the school district.


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.310, which pertained to oath of office of state highway commissioner and superintendent of public instruction, was repealed by Act 6 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.311 School board; appointment to fill vacancy; election; notice to school district election coordinator.

Sec. 311.

  (1) If less than a majority of the offices of school board member of a school district become vacant, the remaining school board members shall fill each vacant office by appointment. If a vacancy in the office of school board member is not filled within 30 days after the vacancy occurs or if a majority of the offices of school board member of a school district become vacant, the intermediate school board for that school district shall fill each vacancy by appointment. An individual appointed under this subsection serves until a successor is elected and qualified.
  (2) If a vacancy occurs in an office of school board member more than 7 days before the nominating petition filing deadline as provided in section 303 for the general November election that is not the general November election at which a successor in office would be elected if there were no vacancy, the person appointed shall hold office only until a successor is elected at the next general November election in the manner provided by law and qualifies for office. The successor shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term. This subsection applies regardless of whether an individual is appointed under subsection (1) to fill the vacancy.
  (3) Within 3 days after an appointment is made to fill a vacancy in an elected office in a school district, the secretary of the school board shall notify the school district election coordinator, in writing, of the name, address, and office of the person who vacated the office as well as the person filling the office.


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 289, Imd. Eff. July 23, 2004 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.311, which pertained to notice of resignation of state highway commissioner or superintendent of public instruction, was repealed by Act 6 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.312 Ballot question; submission by school board; certification of ballot question language; scheduling of special election date.

Sec. 312.

  (1) A school board may submit a ballot question to the school electors on a regular election date, on a date when a city or township within the school district's jurisdiction is holding an election by adopting a resolution to that effect not later than 4 p.m. on the twelfth Tuesday before the election date, or on a special election date as provided in section 641(4). The school board shall certify the ballot question language to the school district election coordinator not later than 4 p.m. on the twelfth Tuesday before the election date. The school district election coordinator shall send a copy of the ballot question language to the county clerk of each county not less than 82 days before the election.
  (2) If a special election is called on a date provided under section 641(4), the school district election coordinating committee shall schedule the special election date.


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 647, Eff. May 14, 2007 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 253, Eff. Apr. 26, 2014
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.312, which pertained to vacancy of office of state highway commissioner or superintendent of public instruction, was repealed by Act 6 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.313 Repealed. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 6, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to impeachment of state highway commissioner or superintendent of public instruction.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.314 Repealed. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 6, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to appointment by governor to fill vacancy in office of state highway commissioner or superintendent of public instruction.
Popular Name: Election code





168.315 Payment by school district to county, city, and township.

Sec. 315.

  (1) A school district shall pay to each county, city, and township that conducts a regular or special election for the school district an amount determined in accordance with this section.
  (2) If a school district's regular or special election is held in conjunction with another election conducted by a county, city, or township, the school district shall pay the county, city, or township 100% of the actual additional costs attributable to conducting the school district's regular or special election. If a school district's regular or special election is not held in conjunction with another election conducted by a county, city, or township, the school district shall pay the county, city, or township 100% of the actual costs of conducting the school district's regular or special election.
  (3) The county, city, or township shall present to a school district a verified account of actual costs of conducting the school district's regular or special election not later than 84 days after the date of the election. The school board shall pay or disapprove all or a portion of the verified account within 84 days after the school district receives a verified account of actual costs under this subsection.
  (4) If the school board disapproves all or a portion of a verified account of actual costs under subsection (3), the school board shall send a notice of disapproval along with the reasons for the disapproval to the county, city, or township. Upon request of a county, city, or township whose verified account or portion of a verified account was disapproved under this section, the school board shall review the disapproved costs with the county, city, or township.
  (5) A school board, county, city, or township shall use the agreement made between the department of treasury and the secretary of state, as required by section 487, as a basis for preparing and evaluating verified accounts under this section. The secretary of state shall assist a school board, county, city, or township in preparing and evaluating a verified account under this section. If a county, city, or township and a school board cannot agree on the actual costs of an election as prescribed by this section, the secretary of state shall determine those actual costs.


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.315, which pertained to recount of votes for election of state highway commissioner or superintendent of public instruction, was repealed by Act 6 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.316 Board members subject to recall.

Sec. 316.

   Each member of a board of a school district, a local act school district, or an intermediate school district is subject to recall by the school electors of the respective district in the manner prescribed in chapter XXXVI.


History: Add. 2004, Act 257, Imd. Eff. July 23, 2004
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.316, which pertained to state highway commissioner or superintendent of public instruction subject to recall, was repealed by Act 6 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XV
CITY OFFICES


168.321 City officers; qualifications, nomination, election, appointment, term, and removal; list of candidates; quorum; election or appointment of successor.

Sec. 321.

  (1) Except as provided in subsection (3) and sections 322, 327, 641, 642, 644e, 644f, 644g, and 646a, the qualifications, nomination, election, appointment, term of office, and removal from office of a city officer must be in accordance with the charter provisions governing the city.
  (2) Within 3 days after the last day on which a candidate for a city office may withdraw, the city clerk shall deliver to the county clerk of the county in which the city is located a list setting forth the name and address of each candidate for a city office.
  (3) If the membership of the legislative body of a city governed by the home rule city act, 1909 PA 279, MCL 117.1 to 117.38, is reduced to less than a quorum, unless another method of appointing members of the legislative body is provided by the city charter, members of the legislative body are appointed as provided in this subsection. The board of county election commissioners of the county in which the largest portion of the population of the city resides shall appoint the number of members of the legislative body required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the legislative body. A member of the legislative body appointed under this subsection shall hold the office only until the member's successor is elected and qualified. The successor shall be elected at a special or regular election on the next regular election date that is not less than 60 days after the appointment is made. The successor shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term. A member who is appointed under this subsection shall not vote on the appointment of himself or herself to an elective or appointive city office.
  (4) Notwithstanding another provision of law or charter to the contrary, an appointment to an elective or appointive city office made by a quorum constituted by appointments under this section expires upon the election and qualification of a sufficient number of members of the legislative body so that the elected members constitute a quorum.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 60, Imd. Eff. Apr. 1, 1980 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 277, Imd. Eff. July 11, 1994 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 627, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.322 Nomination by caucus or filing petition or affidavit; deadline for May election.

Sec. 322.

  If a charter provides for nomination by caucus or by filing a petition or affidavit directly for the May election, the candidate filing deadline or certification deadline is 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the May election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 7, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 312, Eff. Jan. 1, 1966 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 183, Imd. Eff. Sept. 30, 2010 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 103, Eff. Sept. 28, 2015
Popular Name: Election Code





168.322a Candidates for nomination; withdrawal, notice.

Sec. 322a.

   After the filing of a nominating petition or filing fees by or in behalf of a proposed candidate for a city office, the candidate shall not be permitted to withdraw unless a written notice of withdrawal is served on the city clerk not later than 4 o'clock, eastern standard time, in the afternoon of the third day after the last day for filing the petition or filing fee as provided in this act or in local charters unless the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, in which case the withdrawal may be served on the city clerk up to 4 o'clock, eastern standard time, on the next secular day.


History: Add. 1959, Act 44, Eff. Mar. 19, 1960
Popular Name: Election Code





168.323 Board of city election commissioners; preparation of ballots, canvass of returns, conduct of primary and election; provisions governing.

Sec. 323.

  It is the duty of the board of city election commissioners to prepare the primary ballots to be used by the electors. The returns shall be canvassed by the board of county canvassers and the results certified to the board of city election commissioners, who shall prepare and furnish ballots for the ensuing election. The printing and distribution of ballots, equipment, and supplies, the conduct of the primary and election, the canvass and certification of the returns, and all other particulars shall be in accordance, as nearly as may be, with the provisions of this act governing general primaries and elections.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.324 Repealed. 1978, Act 540, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1978.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for additional justices of the peace.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.325 Repealed. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to filling vacancy for judge of municipal court of record.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.326 Candidate for city office; death; selection of candidate to fill vacancy; ballots.

Sec. 326.

  If a candidate of a political party for a city office, after having qualified as a candidate, dies after the last day for qualifying, leaving the political party without a candidate for the office, a candidate to fill the vacancy may be selected by the members of the county executive committee of the candidate's political party residing in the city if 3 or more members of the county executive committee of that political party reside in the city. If less than 3 members of the county executive committee of that political party reside in the city, the county executive committee of that political party may select a candidate to fill the vacancy for that office. The name of the candidate selected shall be transmitted to the city officials required by law to print and distribute ballots. The name of the candidate shall be printed on the ballots, but if the ballots have been printed, the city officials shall have the ballots reprinted with the candidate's name on the ballots and the reprinted ballots shall be distributed to the various voting precincts within the city.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 322, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1966 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.327 Removal of city officers by governor; grounds; action on charges; service of charges; hearing; eligibility for election or appointment following removal or conviction.

Sec. 327.

   The governor shall remove all city officers chosen by the electors of a city or any ward or voting district of a city, when the governor is satisfied from sufficient evidence submitted to the governor that the officer has been guilty of official misconduct, wilful neglect of duty, extortion, or habitual drunkenness, or has been convicted of being drunk, or whenever it appears by a certified copy of the judgment of a court of record of this state that a city officer, after the officer's election or appointment, has been convicted of a felony. The governor shall not take action upon any charges made to the governor against a city officer until the charges have been exhibited to the governor in writing, verified by the affidavit of the party making them, that he or she believes the charges to be true. But a city officer shall not be removed for misconduct or neglect until charges of misconduct or neglect have been exhibited to the governor as provided in this section and a copy of the charges served on the officer and an opportunity given the officer of being heard in his or her defense. The service of the charges upon the officer complained against shall be made by personal service to the officer of a copy of the charges, together with all affidavits or exhibits which may be attached to the original petition, if the officer can be found; and if not, by leaving a copy at the last known place of residence of the officer, with a person of suitable age, if a person of suitable age can be found; and if not, by posting the copy of the charges in a conspicuous place at the officer's last known place of residence. An officer who has been removed from office pursuant to this section shall not be eligible for election or appointment to any office for a period of 3 years from the date of the removal. A person who has been convicted of a violation of section 12a(1) of Act No. 370 of the Public Acts of 1941, being section 38.412a of the Michigan Compiled Laws, shall not be eligible for election or appointment to an elective or appointive city office for a period of 20 years after conviction.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983
Popular Name: Election Code





168.328 Repealed. 1994, Act 4, Eff. June 1, 1994.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to changing date of city or village election to March 15, 1994.
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XVI
TOWNSHIP OFFICES


168.341 Elective township offices and officers.

Sec. 341.

   Elective township offices shall consist of a supervisor, township clerk, township treasurer, not to exceed 4 constables, and not to exceed 4 trustees. Elective township officers may include library directors and park commission members.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 44, Imd. Eff. June 2, 1966 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 112, Imd. Eff. May 14, 1980
Popular Name: Election Code





168.342 Township office; eligibility; eligibility for membership on board of review.

Sec. 342.

  A person is not eligible to a township office unless the person is a registered and qualified elector of the township in which election is sought by the filing deadline. A person is not eligible for membership on the board of review unless, in addition to the qualifications for eligibility to a township office, the person is a landowner and taxpayer in the township.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.343 Repealed. 1965, Act 212, Eff. Mar. 31, 1966.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to township caucus, nominating procedure, and certification of candidates.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.343a Repealed. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to membership in township political party committee.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.344 Repealed. 1965, Act 212, Eff. Mar. 31, 1966.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section authorized referendum to determine choice between township caucus and primary system.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.345 Candidates for township offices; nomination at primary.

Sec. 345.

   A primary of all political parties shall be held in every organized township of this state on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August preceding every general November election, at which time the qualified and registered electors of each political party may vote for party candidates for township offices.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 212, Eff. Mar. 31, 1966
Popular Name: Election Code





168.346 Primaries; inspector of elections, appointment.

Sec. 346.

   The township board of election commissioners shall appoint 3 or more qualified and registered electors of such township for each precinct, who shall act as inspectors of election at such primary.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.347 Primaries; provisions governing; recounts; duties of township clerk.

Sec. 347.

  Except as otherwise provided in this act, the laws governing nominating petitions, the conduct of general primary elections, the furnishing of ballots, and the depositing, counting, and canvassing of ballots shall, as near as may be, apply to primaries held under the provisions of this chapter. Recounts shall be conducted by the board of county canvassers. All duties that, under the parts of this act relating to general elections or primary elections, fall upon the county clerk shall be performed in the same manner by the township clerk.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.348 Repealed. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to notice, publication, and posting of primary elections.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.349 Candidate for township office; nominating petitions; signatures; form; nonrefundable filing fee in lieu of nominating petitions; list of candidates.

Sec. 349.

  (1) To obtain the printing of the name of an individual as a candidate for nomination by a political party for a township office under the particular party heading upon the official primary ballots, there must be filed with the township clerk nominating petitions signed by a number of qualified and registered electors residing within the township as determined under section 544f. Nominating petitions must be in the form prescribed in section 544c. The township clerk shall receive nominating petitions up to 4 p.m. of the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary.
  (2) To obtain the printing of the name of a candidate of a political party under the particular party's heading upon the primary election ballots in the various voting precincts of the township, there may be filed by the candidate, in lieu of filing nominating petitions, a nonrefundable filing fee of $100.00 to be paid to the township clerk. Payment of the fee and certification of the candidate's name paying the fee are governed by the same provisions as in the case of nominating petitions. The fee must be deposited in the general fund of the township and must be used only for the purchase and maintenance of voting equipment.
  (3) Within 4 days after the last day for filing nominating petitions or a filing fee, the township clerk shall deliver to the county clerk a list setting forth the name, address, and political affiliation and office sought of each candidate who has qualified for a position on the primary ballot.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 212, Eff. Mar. 31, 1966 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 58, Imd. Eff. June 7, 1966 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 654, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019 ;-- Am. 2021, Act 147, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 2021
Popular Name: Election Code





168.349a Repealed. 1966, Act 58, Imd. Eff. June 7, 1966.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to qualification for printing of new parties on official ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.350 Repealed. 1966, Act 58, Imd. Eff. June 7, 1966.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section required township clerk to certify nominees in absence of contest for office.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.351 Candidates for nomination; withdrawal, notice.

Sec. 351.

  After the filing of a nominating petition or filing fee by or on behalf of a proposed candidate for a township office, the candidate is not permitted to withdraw unless a written notice of withdrawal is served on the township clerk not later than 4 p.m. of the third day after the last day for filing nominating petitions or a filing fee as provided in this act, unless the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which case the notice of withdrawal may be served on the clerk up to 4 p.m. on the next secular day.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1959, Act 173, Eff. Mar. 19, 1960 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 653, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019
Popular Name: Election Code





168.352 Candidate for township office; death; selection of candidate to fill vacancy; ballots.

Sec. 352.

  If a candidate of a political party for a township office, after having qualified as a candidate, dies after the last day for qualifying, leaving the political party without a candidate for a township office, a candidate to fill the vacancy may be selected by the members of the county executive committee of the candidate's political party residing in the township if 3 or more members of the county executive committee of that political party reside in the township. If less than 3 members of the county executive committee of that political party reside in the township, the county executive committee of that political party may select a candidate to fill the vacancy for that office. The name of the candidate selected shall be transmitted to the township officials required by law to print and distribute ballots. The name of the candidate shall be printed on the ballots, but if the ballots have been printed, the township officials shall have the ballots reprinted with the candidate's name on the ballots and the reprinted ballots shall be distributed to the various voting precincts within the township.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 322, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1966 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.353 Primaries; absent voters, provisions applicable.

Sec. 353.

   The provisions of this act relative to absent voters shall apply to primaries held under the provisions of this chapter: Provided, That the duties of the county clerk relative to the furnishing and distribution of ballots shall be performed by the township clerk.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.354 Candidate for township office; write-in.

Sec. 354.

  If, for any reason, the number of candidates of a political party to a township office is equal to less than the total number to be nominated and elected, a sufficient number of blank spaces shall be provided on the official primary ballots that affords every elector to the political party an opportunity to vote for as many candidates as are to be nominated and elected by writing in the name or names of his or her selection.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.355 Candidates for township offices; nominees, certification; list.

Sec. 355.

  (1) The candidate or candidates of each political party to a township office receiving the greatest number of votes cast for candidates of that office, as set forth in the report of the board of county canvassers, based on the returns from the various election precincts, or as determined by the board of county canvassers as the result of a recount, shall be declared the nominee or nominees of that political party for that office at the next ensuing November election. The board of county canvassers shall certify the nomination or nominations to the township clerk within 48 hours after the polls close.
  (2) Within 4 days following the primary, the township clerk shall deliver to the county clerk a list setting forth the names, addresses, political affiliation, and office sought of all candidates nominated at the primary.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 58, Imd. Eff. June 7, 1966 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.356 Repealed. 1965, Act 212, Eff. Mar. 31, 1966.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section authorized abandonment of primary system for nominating township candidates.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.357 Candidate for township office; death or disqualification; write-in.

Sec. 357.

  If a candidate of a political party, after having been nominated for a township office, dies, moves from the township, or becomes disqualified for any reason, the township board of election commissioners shall provide a blank space or spaces on the official ballots that affords every elector of the political party an opportunity to vote for a candidate to fill the vacancy by writing in the name of his or her selection.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.358 Election of township officers and submission of propositions; general November election.

Sec. 358.

  (1) In every township, there shall be a general November election in each even-numbered year for the election of officers and the submission of propositions, as provided by law. At the 1980 general November election, there shall be elected by ballot all of the following township officers:
  (a) A supervisor.
  (b) A clerk.
  (c) A treasurer.
  (d) Two trustees.
  (e) Not more than 4 constables.
  (f) If authorized by law and after a township takes the actions provided in section 11 of 1877 PA 164, MCL 397.211, 6 free public library directors.
  (g) If a township takes the actions provided in section 1 of former 1931 PA 271 or section 6 of 1905 PA 157, MCL 41.426, the number of park commission members provided for under section 6 of 1905 PA 157, MCL 41.426.
  (2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the order of offices on the township portion of the ballots shall be the same as the order in which the officers are listed in subsection (1). Free public library directors shall be listed on the nonpartisan portion of the ballot.
  (3) Subject to the limitation in subsection (1), the number of constables to be elected at the 1992 general November election and each general November election at which township offices are regularly to be elected after 1992 shall be determined by the township board by resolution not less than 6 months before the township primary election preceding the general November election. The resolution that specifies the number of constables to be elected applies in that township until a subsequent resolution is adopted altering that number. If a determination as to the number of constables to be elected is not made by the township board by the deadline under this subsection for the 1992 general election, the number of constables to be elected shall be the same number that was elected in that township in the 1988 general November election until a resolution is adopted to provide for the election of a different number of constables.
  (4) In a township having a population of 5,000 or more, or having 3,000 or more qualified and registered electors as shown by the registration records at the close of registration for the last preceding general November election, there may be elected 4 trustees. In other townships there shall be 2 trustees. A township shall not elect 4 trustees unless the election of additional trustees is approved by the voters at a general November election or by a majority of the voters attending at an annual meeting. The township board of a township having a population of 5,000 or more, or having 3,000 or more qualified and registered electors, shall cause the question of electing additional trustees to be voted on at the first general November election or annual meeting following the township's qualifying for additional trustees. If a majority of the electors voting on the question vote in favor of electing 4 trustees, the township shall thereafter elect 4 trustees. If a majority of the electors voting on the question do not vote in favor of electing 4 trustees, the township board may resubmit the question at a subsequent general November election or annual meeting or the question shall be submitted at the first general November election or annual meeting held not less than 84 days following the submission of a petition containing the signatures of not less than 10% of the registered and qualified electors of the township, as shown by the registration records at the close of registration for the last general November election, asking that the question be submitted.
  (5) At the first general November election in a township held not less than 4 months after the provisions of this section relative to additional trustees are adopted by a township, there shall be elected the number of trustees necessary to make a total of 4 trustees. If the additional trustees are elected at a general November election that is not a regular township election, the additional trustees shall hold office only until a successor is elected at the next regular township election and qualifies for office.
  (6) This section does not prohibit townships electing 4 trustees as of September 13, 1958 from continuing to do so.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 44, Imd. Eff. June 2, 1966 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 215, Imd. Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 5, Imd. Eff. Feb. 7, 1978 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 112, Imd. Eff. May 14, 1980 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 150, Imd. Eff. May 6, 1982 ;-- Am. 1986, Act 33, Imd. Eff. Mar. 17, 1986 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 431, Eff. Mar. 30, 1989 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 433, Eff. Mar. 30, 1989 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 16, Imd. Eff. Apr. 27, 1999
Popular Name: Election Code





168.358a Special election; purpose; notice.

Sec. 358a.

   The township board of a township may call a special election to be held in the township for the purpose of submitting a ballot question to the electors of the township. A special election shall be held on a regular election date. Notice of the special election shall be given in the same manner required by section 653a.


History: Add. 1956, Act 104, Eff. Aug. 11, 1956 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 235, Imd. Eff. Oct. 10, 1990 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005
Popular Name: Election Code





168.359 Repealed. 1968, Act 65, Eff. July 1, 1968.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section required township board to make certificate of election and deliver same to clerk.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.360 Repealed. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013.


Popular Name: The repealed section pertained to filing of statement and determination of election results by township board of canvassers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.361 Repealed. 1978, Act 596, Imd. Eff. Jan. 4, 1979.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to annual meeting of township electors.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.362 Township officers; terms; qualification; vacancy; election; commencement of duties; failure to take oath.

Sec. 362.

  (1) The term of office of township trustees elected in 1978 shall be 2 years. The term of office of all township officers listed in section 358 shall be 4 years beginning in the 1980 general election, and in all subsequent elections at which township officials are elected. All township officers' terms shall commence at 12 noon on November 20 next following their election and they shall qualify before assuming the duties of their office. Each township officer shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualified, but not beyond January 1 following the election. Failure of an elected township official to qualify by January 1 following the official's election shall create a vacancy which shall be filled as provided in section 370. All elective township officers, other than those listed in section 358, shall be elected at the November election immediately preceding the expiration of their term and shall commence the duties of their office on November 20 but not before they qualify following their election.
  (2) A township officer elected in the general election shall remain in office for the full term if the officer failed to take the oath of office within the time prescribed by law and was subsequently appointed by the township board to the office for which the officer ran.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 175, Eff. Oct. 14, 1955 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 4, Eff. Mar. 26, 1965 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 44, Imd. Eff. June 2, 1966 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 215, Imd. Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 156, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 103, Imd. Eff. Aug. 16, 1973 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 5, Imd. Eff. Feb. 7, 1978 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 112, Imd. Eff. May 14, 1980
Popular Name: Election Code





168.363 Township officers; oath of office.

Sec. 363.

   All township officers shall, before entering upon the duties of their offices, take and subscribe the oath as provided in section 1 of article 11 of the state constitution before the township clerk or other officer authorized to administer oaths, and file the same with the township clerk who shall record the same; and such oath shall be administered without reward and certified by the officer before whom the same was taken, with the date of taking the same.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 215, Imd. Eff. Nov. 2, 1967
Popular Name: Election Code





168.364 Township treasurer; bond, approval, filing.

Sec. 364.

   Each township treasurer, within the time limited for filing his oath of office and before he shall enter upon the duties of his office, shall give a bond to the township in such sum and with such sureties as the supervisor shall require and approve and the supervisor shall endorse his approval thereon. It shall be the duty of such treasurer to file within the time above mentioned said bond with the township clerk of such township, who shall record the same in a book to be provided for that purpose. The township clerk shall, after recording same, deliver the bond to the supervisor who shall file it in his office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.365 Constables; bond.

Sec. 365.

   Every person elected or appointed to the office of constable, before he enters upon the duties of his office and within the time prescribed by law for filing his official oath, shall execute, with sufficient sureties to be approved by the supervisor or clerk of his township, an instrument in writing by which said constable and his sureties shall jointly and severally agree to pay to each and every person who may be entitled thereto all such sums of money as the said constable may become liable to pay on account of any neglect or default of said constable in the service or return of any process that may be delivered to him for service or collection or on account of any misfeasance of the said constable in the discharge of, or failure of, said constable to faithfully perform any of the duties of his office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.366 Repealed. 1978, Act 540, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1978.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to bond of justice of the peace.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.367 Resignation of township officer.

Sec. 367.

   Resignation of a township officer shall be in writing, signed by the officer resigning, and addressed to the township board, and shall be delivered to and filed by the township clerk.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 540, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1978
Popular Name: Election Code





168.368 Events creating vacancy in township offices.

Sec. 368.

   The township offices become vacant upon the happening of any of the following events: Death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office for cause; his ceasing to be a resident of the township where his office is located; his conviction of an infamous crime, or of an offense involving the violation of his oath of office; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring his election or appointment void, habitual drunkenness; his refusal or neglect to take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 2 of article 16 of the state constitution and deposit the same in the manner and within the time prescribed by law; his refusal or neglect to give bond in the amount and manner and within the time prescribed by law; or the failure of the office to be filled at an election which is scheduled for the purpose of filling the office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 24, Imd. Eff. June 12, 1973
Popular Name: Election Code





168.369 Removal of township officer; grounds; service of charges; hearing; effect of removal.

Sec. 369.

   The governor shall remove a township officer chosen by the electors of any township, when the governor is satisfied from the evidence submitted that the officer has been guilty of official misconduct, wilful neglect of duty, extortion, habitual drunkenness, or has been convicted of being drunk, or when it appears by a certified copy of the judgment of a court of record of this state that the officer, after the officer's election or appointment, was convicted of a felony. The governor shall not take action upon the charges made against the officer until the charges are exhibited in writing, verified by the affidavit of the party making the charges that the party believes the charges to be true. The officer shall not be removed for misconduct or neglect until charges of the misconduct or neglect are exhibited to the governor as provided in this section, a copy of the charges served on the officer, and an opportunity given to the officer of being heard in his defense. The service of the charges upon the officer shall be made by handing to the officer a copy of the charges, together with the affidavits or exhibits which may be attached to the original petition if the officer can be found; if the officer cannot be found a copy shall be left at the last place of residence of the officer with a person of suitable age, if a person can be found. If a person cannot be found, a copy shall be posted in a conspicuous place upon the officer's last known place of residence. An officer who has been removed in accordance with this section shall not be eligible for election or appointment to an office for a period of 3 years after the date of removal from office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 540, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1978
Popular Name: Election Code





168.370 Elective or appointive township office; appointment to fill vacancy; temporary appointment; effect of resignation; special election; vacancy in office of township constable.

Sec. 370.

  (1) Except as provided in section 370a or subsection (2), if a vacancy occurs in an elective or appointive township office, the vacancy must be filled by appointment by the township board, and the individual appointed shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term.
  (2) If 1 or more vacancies occur in an elective township office that cause the number of members serving on the township board to be less than the minimum number of board members that is required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the board, the board of county election commissioners shall make temporary appointment of the number of members required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the township board. An official appointed under this subsection shall hold the office only until the official's successor is elected or appointed and qualified. An official who is temporarily appointed under this subsection shall not vote on the appointment of himself or herself to an elective or appointive township office.
  (3) If a township official submits a written resignation from an elective township office, for circumstances other than a resignation related to a recall election, that specifies a date and time when the resignation is effective, the township board, within 30 days before that effective date and time, may appoint an individual to fill the vacancy at the effective date and time of the resignation. The resigning official shall not vote on the appointment.
  (4) Except as provided in subsection (5), if the township board does not make an appointment under subsection (3), or if a vacancy occurs in an elective township office and the vacancy is not filled by the township board or the board of county election commissioners within 45 days after the beginning of the vacancy, the county clerk of the county in which the township is located shall call a special election within 5 calendar days to fill the vacancy. Not later than 4 p.m. on the fifteenth calendar day after the county clerk calls a special election under this section, the county party committee for each political party in the county in which the township is located shall submit a nominee to fill the vacancy. The special election must be held on the next regular election date that is not less than 60 days after the deadline for submitting nominees under this section or 70 days after the deadline for submitting nominees under this section if the next regular election date is the even year August primary or the general November election. Notice of the special election must be given in the same manner required by section 653a. A special election called under this section does not affect the rights of a qualified elector to register for any other election. An individual elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
  (5) Subsection (4) does not apply to the office of township constable. If a vacancy occurs in the office of township constable, the township board shall determine if and when the vacancy is filled by appointment. If the township board does not fill the vacancy by appointment, the office of township constable must remain vacant until the next general or special election in which township offices are filled.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 36, Imd. Eff. May 21, 1968 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 193, Imd. Eff. July 8, 1980 ;-- Am. 1983, Act 226, Imd. Eff. Nov. 28, 1983 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 83, Imd. Eff. May 25, 1990 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 104, Imd. Eff. June 16, 2022
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.370a Filling vacancy in township office; term of appointee; term of elected successor.

Sec. 370a.

  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 370, if a vacancy occurs in an elective or appointive township office, which vacancy is filled by appointment by the township board or the board of county election commissioners and the vacancy occurs more than 7 days before the nominating petition filing deadline as provided in section 349 for the general November election that is not the general November election at which a successor in office would be elected if no vacancy, then the person appointed shall hold office only until a successor is elected at the next general November election in the manner provided by law and qualifies for office. The successor shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term.


History: Add. 1968, Act 156, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 83, Imd. Eff. May 25, 1990 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014
Popular Name: Election Code





168.371 Township officers; primary election, recount of votes.

Sec. 371.

   The votes cast for any candidate to a township office at any primary or election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.372 Township officers; recall.

Sec. 372.

   Any person elected to a township office shall be subject to recall as provided in chapter 36 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.373 Township clerk; appointment of substitute to perform election law duties.

Sec. 373.

   If neither the township clerk nor any deputy township clerk shall be available to perform any necessary functions in connection with registrations, nominations or elections during the usual or required times for performing such functions, the township board shall appoint some qualified person who is a registered elector of the township to perform such functions until such time as the clerk or a deputy resume their duties. Any such person so appointed shall have all of the powers and authority of a deputy appointed by the clerk pertaining to registrations, nominations and elections.


History: Add. 1957, Act 221, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XVII
VILLAGE OFFICES


168.381 Village officer; qualifications, nomination, election, appointment, term, and removal; temporary appointment of trustees for transaction of business; expiration of appointment; filing for office; nominating petitions.

Sec. 381.

  (1) Except as provided in this section and sections 383, 641, 642, 642a, and 644g, the qualifications, nomination, election, appointment, term of office, and removal from office of a village officer must be as determined by the charter provisions governing the village.
  (2) If the membership of the village council of a village governed by the general law village act, 1895 PA 3, MCL 61.1 to 74.25, is reduced to less than a quorum of 4 and a special election for the purpose of filling all vacancies in the office of trustee is called under section 13 of chapter II of the general law village act, 1895 PA 3, MCL 62.13, temporary appointments of trustees must be made as provided in this subsection. The board of county election commissioners of the county in which the largest portion of the population of the village is situated shall make temporary appointment of the number of trustees required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the village council. A trustee appointed under this subsection shall hold the office only until the trustee's successor is elected and qualified. A trustee who is temporarily appointed under this subsection shall not vote on the appointment of himself or herself to an elective or appointive village office.
  (3) Notwithstanding another provision of law or charter to the contrary, an appointment to an elective or appointive village office made by a quorum constituted by temporary appointments under this subsection expires upon the election and qualification of trustees under the special election called to fill the vacancies in the office of trustee.
  (4) Filing for a village office must be with the township clerk if the township is conducting the election or if the village is located in more than 1 township with the township in which the largest number of the registered electors of the village reside. Nominating petitions for village offices must be filed with the appropriate township clerk by 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the general November election. After a nominating petition is filed for a candidate for a village office, the candidate is not permitted to withdraw unless a written withdrawal notice, signed by the candidate, is filed with the appropriate township clerk not later than 4 p.m. of the third day after the last day for filing the nominating petition.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 60, Imd. Eff. Apr. 1, 1980 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1991, Act 16, Imd. Eff. May 1, 1991 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 290, Imd. Eff. July 23, 2004 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 122, Imd. Eff. Apr. 14, 2006 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 184, Imd. Eff. Sept. 30, 2010 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.382 Village officers; nomination and election.

Sec. 382.

   Except as otherwise provided in this act, the general law village act, 1895 PA 3, MCL 61.1 to 74.25, or the home rule village act, 1909 PA 278, MCL 78.1 to 78.28, if the charter of a village does not specify the time, manner, and means of nominating and electing its public officers, the village shall nominate and elect its officers in accordance with the provisions governing the selection of township officers, as provided in chapter XV.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 8, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 147, Imd. Eff. Nov. 21, 1973 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005
Compiler's Notes: At the end of this section, the reference to "chapter XV" evidently should read "chapter XVI".
Popular Name: Election Code





168.383 Removal of village officers by governor; grounds; action on charges; service of charges; hearing; eligibility for election or appointment following removal.

Sec. 383.

  The governor shall remove all village officers chosen by the electors of a village if the governor is satisfied from sufficient evidence submitted to the governor that the officer is guilty of official misconduct, wilful neglect of duty, extortion, or habitual drunkenness, or has been convicted of being drunk, or if it appears by a certified copy of the judgment of a court of record of this state that a village officer, after the officer's election or appointment, has been convicted of a felony. The governor shall not take action upon any charges made to the governor against a village officer until the charges have been exhibited to the governor in writing, verified by the affidavit of the party making them, that the party believes the charges to be true. A village officer must not be removed for misconduct or neglect until charges of misconduct or neglect have been exhibited to the governor as provided in this section and a copy of the charges served on the officer and an opportunity given the officer of being heard in his or her defense. The service of the charges upon the person or persons complained against must be made by personal service to the officer of a copy of the charges, together with all affidavits or exhibits which may be attached to the original petition, if the officer can be found, and if not, by leaving a copy of the charges at the last known place of residence of the officer with a person of suitable age, if a person of suitable age can be found, and if not, by posting the copy of the charges in a conspicuous place at the officer's last known place of residence. An officer who has been removed from office under this section is not eligible for election or appointment to any office for a period of 3 years from the date of the removal from office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code



CHAPTER XVIIA
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT ELECTIONS


168.385 Metropolitan district election coordinator; duties.

Sec. 385.

  (1) Unless a particular power or duty of an election official or a particular election procedure is specifically governed by a provision of this chapter, a metropolitan district election is governed by the provisions of this act that generally govern elections.
  (2) The metropolitan district election coordinator shall conduct each regular election that is requested by the legislative body of a metropolitan district to submit a ballot question or to fill a position or vacancy on the legislative body of the metropolitan district. The metropolitan district election coordinator shall do all of the following:
  (a) Receive nominating petitions and affidavits of identity from candidates for officer to the legislative body of a metropolitan district and petitions for ballot questions.
  (b) Procure the necessary qualified voter file precinct lists.
  (c) Certify candidates.
  (d) Receive ballot proposal language.
  (e) Issue absent voter ballots.
  (3) A metropolitan district election coordinator may delegate, if the city or township clerk agrees, all or a portion of the metropolitan district election coordinator's duties to that city or township clerk. The metropolitan district election coordinator shall not delegate duties to any person not named in this section.
  (4) A metropolitan district election coordinator may delegate the following duties to the city or township clerk, who shall perform the following duties:
  (a) Distribute, receive, and process absent voter ballot applications for a metropolitan district election.
  (b) Make voting systems available for the conduct of a metropolitan district election.
  (c) Make available to the metropolitan district election coordinator the list of election inspectors for that city or township.
  (d) Notify metropolitan district electors of precinct and polling place location changes.
  (5) The county election commission shall establish that metropolitan district's election precincts and polling place locations in accordance with this act.


History: Add. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.385a Metropolitan district officer; eligibility; term.

Sec. 385a.

  (1) An individual is eligible for election as an officer to the legislative body of a metropolitan district if the individual is a citizen of the United States and is a qualified and registered elector of the metropolitan district the individual seeks to represent by the filing deadline.
  (2) A metropolitan district officer's term of office is prescribed by the metropolitan district act, 1929 PA 312, MCL 119.1 to 119.18.


History: Add. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.386 Metropolitan district officer; nominating petition; form; signature of elector; examination and investigation; withdrawal.

Sec. 386.

  (1) For an individual's name to appear on the official ballot as a candidate for metropolitan district officer, the candidate shall file a nominating petition and the affidavit required by section 558 with the metropolitan district election coordinator not later than 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the election date. The nominating petitions shall be signed by a number of qualified and registered electors residing in the metropolitan district as determined under section 544f.
  (2) The nominating petition shall be substantially in the form prescribed in section 544c, except that the petition shall be nonpartisan and shall include the following opening paragraph:
We, the undersigned, registered and qualified voters
of the city or township of _______________________________
and residents of the _______________________________, the
(legal name of metropolitan district)
county of _____________________________, state of Michigan,
nominate __________________________________________________
(name of candidate)
_______________________________ ________________________,
(street address) (city or township)
a registered and qualified elector of the metropolitan district
as an officer of the legislative body of the metropolitan
district for a term of ____ years, expiring _____, to be
voted for at the election to be held on the ______ day of
_________________________, ___________________.
(month) (year)
(3) An elector shall not sign petitions for more candidates than are to be elected.
  (4) A nominating petition filed under this chapter is subject to the examination and investigation process prescribed in section 552 as to its sufficiency and the validity and genuineness of the signatures on the nominating petition, and to the other procedures prescribed in that section relevant to a petition filed under this chapter.
  (5) After a nominating petition is filed for a candidate for metropolitan district officer, the candidate is not permitted to withdraw unless a written withdrawal notice, signed by the candidate, is filed with the metropolitan district election coordinator not later than 4 p.m. of the third day after the last day for filing the nominating petition.
  


History: Add. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014
Popular Name: Election Code





168.386a Canvass of votes by board of canvassers; election; statement of returns and certification; votes subject to recount.

Sec. 386a.

  (1) The appropriate board of canvassers as prescribed in section 24a shall canvass the votes for candidates for metropolitan district officer and votes for and against a ballot question at a regular election in each metropolitan district. That number of candidates equal to the number of individuals to be elected who receive the greatest number of votes cast at the election, as set forth in the report of the board of canvassers canvassing the votes, based upon the returns from the election precincts or as determined by the board of canvassers as a result of a recount, are elected to the office of metropolitan district officer. Upon completion of the canvass, the board of canvassers shall make a statement of returns and certify the election of metropolitan district officers to the metropolitan district election coordinator and to the secretary of the legislative body of the metropolitan district.
  (2) The votes cast for a candidate for metropolitan district officer or on a ballot question submitted to the electors at a metropolitan district election are subject to recount as provided in chapter XXXIII.


History: Add. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.386b Statement of returns and certification; preservation and filing by metropolitan district election coordinator; execution of certificate of election.

Sec. 386b.

  The metropolitan district election coordinator who receives the certification of the board of canvassers under section 386a shall preserve and file in his or her office the certified statement of returns and certification of the board of canvassers of the result of the election. The metropolitan district election coordinator shall immediately execute and provide to the individuals declared elected as officers to the legislative body of the metropolitan district a certificate of election.


History: Add. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.387 Notification of member-elect; acceptance; filing; forwarding copy.

Sec. 387.

  Within 5 business days after certification of an election, each member-elect shall be notified of the election. Within 10 business days after notification by the metropolitan district election coordinator of election or appointment to the legislative body, each person shall file with the secretary of the legislative body of the metropolitan district an acceptance of the office to which the person has been elected or appointed. The secretary of the legislative body of the metropolitan district shall forward a copy of the acceptance to the metropolitan district election coordinator.


History: Add. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.387a Oath; immediate vacancy; events.

Sec. 387a.

  (1) Before entering upon the duties of his or her office, an individual elected as an officer to the legislative body of a metropolitan district shall take and subscribe to the oath provided in section 1 of article XI of the state constitution of 1963.
  (2) The office of a metropolitan district officer becomes vacant immediately, regardless of declaration by an officer or acceptance by the legislative body of a metropolitan district or 1 or more of its officers, upon any of the following events:
  (a) The death of the metropolitan district officer.
  (b) The metropolitan district officer's being adjudicated insane or being found to be a legally incapacitated individual by a court of competent jurisdiction.
  (c) The metropolitan district officer's resignation.
  (d) The metropolitan district officer's removal from office.
  (e) The metropolitan district officer's conviction for a felony.
  (f) The metropolitan district officer's election or appointment being declared void by a competent tribunal.
  (g) The metropolitan district officer's neglect or failure to file the acceptance of office, to take the oath of office, or to give or renew an official bond required by law.
  (h) The metropolitan district officer ceasing to possess the legal qualifications for holding office.
  (i) The metropolitan district officer moving his or her residence from the metropolitan district.


History: Add. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.388 Metropolitan district officer; vacancy filled by appointment; election; notice.

Sec. 388.

  (1) If less than a majority of the offices of metropolitan district officer of a metropolitan district become vacant, the remaining metropolitan district officers shall fill each vacant office by appointment. If a vacancy in the office of metropolitan district officer is not filled within 30 days after the vacancy occurs or if a majority of the offices of metropolitan district officer of a metropolitan district become vacant, the county election commission of the county in which the largest number of registered electors of the metropolitan district reside shall fill each vacancy by appointment. An individual appointed under this subsection serves until a successor is elected and qualified.
  (2) If a vacancy occurs in an office of metropolitan district officer more than 7 days before the nominating petition filing deadline as provided in section 386 for the regular metropolitan district election that is not the regular metropolitan district election at which a successor in office would be elected if there were no vacancy, the person appointed shall hold office only until a successor is elected at the next regular metropolitan district election in the manner provided by law and qualifies for office. The successor shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term. This subsection applies regardless of whether an individual is appointed under subsection (1) to fill the vacancy.
  (3) Within 3 days after an appointment is made to fill a vacancy in an elected office in a metropolitan district, the secretary of the legislative body of the metropolitan district shall notify the metropolitan district election coordinator, in writing, of the name, address, and office of the person who vacated the office as well as the person filling the office.


History: Add. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014
Popular Name: Election Code





168.389 Ballot question.

Sec. 389.

  The legislative body of a metropolitan district may submit a ballot question to the metropolitan district electors on a regular election date. The legislative body of the metropolitan district shall file the ballot question with the metropolitan district election coordinator as provided in section 646a(2).


History: Add. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.389a Actual costs of election; payment; verified account; disapproval; failure to agree on actual costs.

Sec. 389a.

  (1) A metropolitan district shall pay to each county, city, and township that conducts a regular election for the metropolitan district an amount determined in accordance with this section.
  (2) If a metropolitan district's regular election is held in conjunction with another election conducted by a county, city, or township, the metropolitan district shall pay the county, city, or township 100% of the actual additional costs attributable to conducting the metropolitan district's regular election. If a metropolitan district's regular election is not held in conjunction with another election conducted by a county, city, or township, the metropolitan district shall pay the county, city, or township 100% of the actual costs of conducting the metropolitan district's regular election.
  (3) The county, city, or township shall present to a metropolitan district a verified account of actual costs of conducting the metropolitan district's regular election not later than 84 days after the date of the election. The legislative body of the metropolitan district shall pay or disapprove all or a portion of the verified account within 84 days after the metropolitan district receives a verified account of actual costs under this subsection.
  (4) If the legislative body of the metropolitan district disapproves all or a portion of a verified account of actual costs under subsection (3), the legislative body of the metropolitan district shall send a notice of disapproval along with the reasons for the disapproval to the county, city, or township. Upon request of a county, city, or township whose verified account or portion of a verified account was disapproved under this section, the legislative body of the metropolitan district shall review the disapproved costs with the county, city, or township.
  (5) A legislative body of a metropolitan district, county, city, or township shall use the agreement made between the department of treasury and the secretary of state, as required by section 487, as a basis for preparing and evaluating verified accounts under this section. The secretary of state shall assist a legislative body of a metropolitan district, county, city, or township in preparing and evaluating a verified account under this section. If a county, city, or township and the legislative body of the metropolitan district cannot agree on the actual costs of an election as prescribed by this section, the secretary of state shall determine those actual costs.


History: Add. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.390 Recall.

Sec. 390.

  Each officer on the legislative body of a metropolitan district is subject to recall by the electors of the metropolitan district in the manner prescribed in chapter XXXVI.


History: Add. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XVIII
JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT


168.391 Office of justice of supreme court; eligibility.

Sec. 391.

  A person is not eligible to the office of justice of the supreme court unless the person is a registered and qualified elector of this state by the filing deadline or the date the person files the affidavit of candidacy, is licensed to practice law in this state, and at the time of election or appointment is less than 70 years of age.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.392 Candidates for justice of supreme court; nomination at fall state convention.

Sec. 392.

   At its fall state convention, each political party may nominate the number of candidates for the office of justice of the supreme court as are to be elected at the next ensuing general election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 61, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.392a Candidates for justice of supreme court; incumbents, affidavit of candidacy for re-election.

Sec. 392a.

   Any incumbent justice of the supreme court may become a candidate for re-election as a justice of the supreme court by filing with the secretary of state an affidavit of candidacy not less than 180 days prior to the expiration of his term of office.
   The affidavit of candidacy shall contain statements that the affiant is an incumbent supreme court justice, that he is domiciled within the state, that he will not have attained the age of 70 years prior to the date of election and a declaration that he is a candidate for election to the office of supreme court justice.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 61, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.393 Candidates for justice of supreme court; canvass by state central committee of each political party.

Sec. 393.

   Not more than 24 hours after the conclusion of the fall state convention, the state central committee of each political party shall convene and canvass the proceedings of the convention and determine the nominee or nominees of the convention for the office or offices of justice of the supreme court. Not more than 1 business day after the conclusion of the state convention, the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee shall forward by registered or certified mail to the secretary of state a typewritten or printed list of the names and residence, including the street address if known, of the candidate or candidates nominated at the convention for the office or offices of justice of the supreme court. The secretary of state shall forward a copy of a list received under this section to the board of election commissioners of each county, in care of the county clerk at the county seat. The name of each nominee on the list shall be printed upon a nonpartisan judicial ballot containing no party designation together with the names of incumbent justices filing an affidavit under section 392a.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 61, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001--AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:--Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.--Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.--Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.--Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.--Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.--Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.394 Candidates for justice of supreme court; withdrawal; notice.

Sec. 394.

   Any person who has been certified by the state central committee of any party as nominated for the office of justice of the supreme court or who filed an affidavit according to section 392a may withdraw by filing a written notice of withdrawal with the secretary of state or his or her duly authorized agent and a copy with the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee of the party not later than 4 p.m., eastern standard time, of the fourth business day following the conclusion of the convention.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 61, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999
Popular Name: Election Code





168.395 Candidates for justice of supreme court; death, withdrawal, disqualification; selection of new candidate, certification; ballots.

Sec. 395.

   Whenever a candidate of a political party, after having been nominated to the office of justice of the supreme court or having filed an affidavit according to section 392a, shall die, withdraw, remove from the state, or become disqualified for any reason, the state central committee of any party which is thereby left without a candidate nominated or indorsed by that party shall meet forthwith and, by a majority vote of the members thereof, shall select a candidate to fill the vacancy thereby caused. The name of the candidate so selected shall be immediately certified by the chairman and the secretary of said committee to the secretary of state and to the board of election commissioners for each county, whose duty it is to prepare the official ballots, and said board shall cause to be printed or placed upon said ballots, in the proper place, the name of the candidate so selected to fill the vacancy.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 61, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.396 Supreme court justices; election.

Sec. 396.

   Subject to section 6 of the schedule to the state constitution, 2 justices of the supreme court shall be elected at the general election in 1966 and at the general election every 2 years thereafter.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 61, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.397 Supreme court justices; certificate of determination by board of state canvassers.

Sec. 397.

   The board of state canvassers shall determine which candidates for justices of the supreme court have received the greatest number of votes and shall declare such candidates to be duly elected. The said board shall forthwith make and subscribe on its statement of returns a certificate of such determination and deliver the same to the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.398 Supreme court justices; certificate of election.

Sec. 398.

   The secretary of state shall file in his office and preserve the original statement and determination of the board of state canvassers of the result of the election and shall forthwith execute and cause to be delivered to the persons thereby declared to be elected to the office of justice of the supreme court a certificate of election, certified by him under the great seal of the state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.399 Supreme court justices; term of office.

Sec. 399.

   The term of office of justice of the supreme court shall be 8 years, beginning on the first day of January next following the election and shall continue until a successor is elected and qualified.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.400 Supreme court justices; oath of office, deposit.

Sec. 400.

   Every person elected to the office of justice of the supreme court, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 1 of article 11 of the state constitution, and shall deposit said oath with the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 61, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.401 Supreme court justices; resignation, notice.

Sec. 401.

   Any person duly elected to the office of justice of the supreme court who desires to resign shall file a written notice containing the effective date of such resignation with the court administrator and a copy with the governor and secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 61, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.402 Supreme court justices; vacancy, creation.

Sec. 402.

   The office of justice of the supreme court shall become vacant upon the happening of any of the following events: Death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office for cause; his ceasing to be a resident of the state; his conviction of an infamous crime, or an offense involving the violation of his oath of office; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring his election or appointment void; or his neglect or refusal to take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office and deposit the same in the manner and within the time prescribed by law.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.403 Supreme court justices; impeachment; removal from office, service of charges, hearing.

Sec. 403.

   Any person holding the office of justice of the supreme court may be removed from office by impeachment for the reasons and in the manner set forth in section 7 of article 11 of the state constitution, or the governor shall remove any justice of the supreme court upon a concurrent resolution of 2/3 of the members elected to and serving in each house of the state legislature, and the cause for such removal shall be stated at length in such resolution, as provided in the constitution of this state. Such person shall be served with a written notice of the charges against him and be afforded an opportunity for a hearing thereon. When a vacancy shall occur in any of the said offices, a notice of such vacancy and the reason why the same exists shall, within 10 days after such vacancy occurs, be given in writing by the secretary of state to the court administrator with a copy to the governor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 61, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.404 Office of supreme court justice; vacancy; appointment; election.

Sec. 404.

  (1) The governor shall appoint a successor to fill the vacancy in the office of justice of the supreme court. The person appointed by the governor shall be considered an incumbent for purposes of this act and shall hold office until 12 noon of January 1 following the next general election, at which a successor is elected and qualified.
  (2) At the next general November election held at least 105 days after the vacancy occurs, a person nominated under section 392 shall be elected to fill that office. The person elected shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term.
  (3) A candidate receiving the highest number of votes for that office who has subscribed to the oath as provided in section 1 of article XI of the state constitution is considered to be elected and qualified even though a vacancy occurs before the time he or she has entered upon the duties of his or her office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 61, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 10, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 1970 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000
Popular Name: Election Code





168.405 Supreme court justices; election, recount of votes.

Sec. 405.

   The votes cast for any candidate for justice of the supreme court at any election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.406 Supreme court justices; not subject to recall.

Sec. 406.

   Judicial officers are not subject to recall as provided in section 8 of article 2 of the state constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 61, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XVIIIA
JUDGES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS


168.409 Office of judge of court of appeals; eligibility.

Sec. 409.

  A person is not eligible for the office of judge of the court of appeals unless the person is a registered and qualified elector of the appellate court district in which election is sought by the filing deadline or the date the person files the affidavit of candidacy, is licensed to practice law in this state, and, at the time of election or appointment, is less than 70 years of age.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409a Candidates for appeals court judge; nomination at general nonpartisan primary election; omission.

Sec. 409a.

   A general nonpartisan primary election shall be held in every appellate court district of this state on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August preceding every general November election in which judges of the court of appeals are to be elected, at which time the qualified and registered electors may vote for nonpartisan candidates for the office of judge of the court of appeals: Provided, however, That if, upon expiration of the time for filing petitions for the primary election of said judge of the court of appeals in any appellate court district, it shall appear that there are not to exceed twice the number of candidates as there are persons to be elected, then the secretary of state shall certify to the county board or boards of election commissioners the names of such candidates for court of appeals judge whose nominating petitions, filing fee or affidavit of candidacy have been properly filed, and such candidates shall be the nominees for judge of the court of appeals and shall be so certified. As to such office there shall be no primary election and this office shall be omitted from the judicial primary ballot.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409b Judge of court of appeals other than incumbent; candidate; nominating petitions; validity of filed petitions; using petition specifying new or existing judgeship to qualify candidate for another judicial office of same court prohibited; filing for election to more than 1 judgeship; incumbent judge as candidate in primary election; affidavit of candidacy; contents; primary and general election for 2 or more judgeships; listing categories of candidates on ballot; death or disqualification of incumbent judge; application of subsection (8).

Sec. 409b.

  (1) To obtain the printing of the name of a qualified person other than an incumbent judge of the court of appeals as a candidate for nomination for the office of judge of the court of appeals upon the official nonpartisan primary ballots, there must be filed with the secretary of state nominating petitions containing the signatures, addresses, and dates of signing of a number of qualified and registered electors residing in the appellate court district as determined under section 544f. The provisions of sections 544a and 544b apply. The secretary of state shall receive nominating petitions up to 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the primary.
  (2) Nominating petitions filed under this section are valid only if they clearly indicate for which of the following offices the candidate is filing, consistent with subsection (8):
  (a) An unspecified existing judgeship for which the incumbent judge is seeking election.
  (b) An unspecified existing judgeship for which the incumbent judge is not seeking election.
  (c) A new judgeship.
  (3) Nominating petitions specifying a new or existing court of appeals judgeship may not be used to qualify a candidate for another judicial office of the same court in the same judicial district. A person who files nominating petitions for election to more than 1 court of appeals judgeship has not more than 3 days following the close of filing to withdraw from all but 1 filing.
  (4) In a primary and general election for 2 or more judgeships where more than 1 of the categories in subsection (2) could be selected, a candidate shall apply to the bureau of elections for a written statement of office designation to correspond to the judgeship sought by the candidate. The office designation provided by the secretary of state must be included in the heading of all nominating petitions. Nominating petitions containing an improper office designation are invalid.
  (5) The secretary of state shall issue an office designation of incumbent position for any judgeship for which the incumbent judge is eligible to seek reelection. If an incumbent judge does not file an affidavit of candidacy by the deadline, the secretary of state shall notify all candidates for that office that a nonincumbent position exists. All nominating petitions circulated for the nonincumbent position subsequent to the deadline must bear an office designation of nonincumbent position. All signatures collected before the affidavit of candidacy filing deadline may be filed with the nonincumbent nominating petitions.
  (6) An incumbent judge of the court of appeals may become a candidate in the primary election for the office of which he or she is the incumbent by filing with the secretary of state an affidavit of candidacy not less than 134 days before the date of the primary election. However, if an incumbent judge of the court of appeals was appointed to fill a vacancy and the judge entered upon the duties of the office less than 137 days before the date of the primary election but before the fifteenth Tuesday before the primary election, the incumbent judge may file the affidavit of candidacy not more than 3 days after entering upon the duties of office. The affidavit of candidacy must contain statements that the affiant is an incumbent judge of the court of appeals, is domiciled within the district, will not attain the age of 70 by the date of election, and is a candidate for election to the office of judge of the court of appeals.
  (7) In the primary and general November election for 2 or more judgeships of the court of appeals in a judicial district, each of the following categories of candidates must be listed separately on the ballot, consistent with subsection (8):
  (a) The names of candidates for the judgeship or judgeships for which the incumbent is seeking election.
  (b) The names of candidates for the judgeship or judgeships for which the incumbent is not seeking election.
  (c) The names of candidates for a newly created judgeship or judgeships.
  (8) If the death or disqualification of an incumbent judge triggers the application of section 409d(2), then for the purposes of subsections (2) and (7), that judgeship must be regarded as a judgeship for which the incumbent judge is not seeking election. The application of this subsection includes, but is not limited to, circumstances in which the governor appoints an individual to fill the vacancy and that individual seeks to qualify as a nominee under section 409d(2).


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 10, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 1970 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 149, Imd. Eff. May 6, 1982 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409c Candidates for nomination; withdrawal; notice.

Sec. 409c.

   After the filing of a nominating petition or affidavit of candidacy by or in behalf of a proposed candidate for the office of judge of the court of appeals, the proposed candidate is not permitted to withdraw unless he or she serves a written notice of withdrawal on the secretary of state or his or her duly authorized agent. The notice must be served not later than 3 days after the last day for filing nominating petitions if a nominating petition was filed for the proposed candidate, and not later than 3 days after the last day for filing affidavits of candidacy if an affidavit of candidacy was filed for the proposed candidate. If the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the notice of withdrawal may be served on the secretary of state or his or her duly authorized agent at any time on or before 4 p.m., eastern standard time, on the next secular day.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409d Candidates for judge of court of appeals; declaration of nominees; certification of nomination; death or disqualification of candidate.

Sec. 409d.

  (1) In each appellate court district the candidates for office of judge of the court of appeals receiving the largest number of votes at any primary election, to a number equal to twice the number of persons to be elected as set forth in the report of the board of state canvassers, based on the returns from the various boards of county canvassers and election precincts, or as determined by the board of state canvassers as the result of a recount, shall be declared the nominees for the office at the next general November election. The board of state canvassers shall certify the nomination to the county election commissions.
  (2) If, after the deadline for filing nominating petitions under section 409b, there are fewer candidates for nomination or nominees for the office of judge of the court of appeals than there are persons to be elected at the general November election because of the death or disqualification of a candidate more than 65 days before the general November election, then a person, whether or not an incumbent, may qualify as a nominee for that office at the general November election by filing nominating petitions as required by section 409b. However, the filing shall be made before 4 p.m. on the twenty-first day following the death or disqualification of the candidate or 4 p.m. on the sixtieth day preceding the general November election, whichever is earlier, and the minimum number of signatures required is 1,000 or 1/2 the minimum number required under section 409b, whichever is less.
  (3) The secretary of state shall certify the nomination of each person who qualifies as a nominee under subsection (2) to the board of election commissioners of each county in the appellate court district for the general November election.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409e Judge of court of appeals; election; death or disqualification of nominee; term of office.

Sec. 409e.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a judge or judges of the court of appeals shall be elected in each appellate court district at the general November election in which judges of the court of appeals are to be elected as provided by law.
  (2) If there are fewer nominees for the office of judge of the court of appeals than there are persons to be elected at the general November election because of the death or disqualification of a nominee less than 66 days before the general November election, then a person shall not be elected at that general November election to any office of judge of the court of appeals for which there is no nominee.
  (3) The term of office for judge of the court of appeals shall be 6 years, commencing at 12 noon on January 1 next following his or her election and shall continue until a successor is elected and qualified.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409f Appeals court judges; certificate of determination by board of state canvassers.

Sec. 409f.

   The board of state canvassers shall determine which candidate or candidates for the office of judge of the court of appeals in each district received the greatest number of votes and shall declare such candidate or candidates duly elected. The board shall forthwith make and subscribe on its statement of returns a certificate of such determination and deliver it to the secretary of state.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409g Appeals court judges; certificate of election.

Sec. 409g.

   The secretary of state shall file in his office and preserve the original statement and determination of the board of state canvassers of the result of the election and shall forthwith execute and cause to be delivered to the persons thereby declared to be elected to the office of judge of the court of appeals a certificate of election certified by him and under the great seal of the state.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409h Appeals court judges; oath of office, filing.

Sec. 409h.

   Every person elected to the office of judge of the court of appeals before entering upon the duties of his office shall take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 1 of article 11 of the state constitution, and file the same with the secretary of state and a copy with the court administrator.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409i Appeals court judges; resignation, notice.

Sec. 409i.

   Any person duly elected to the office of judge of the court of appeals who desires to resign shall file a written notice containing the effective date of such resignation with the court administrator and a copy with the governor and the secretary of state.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409j Appeals court judges; vacancy, creation.

Sec. 409j.

   The office of judge of the court of appeals shall become vacant upon the happening of any of the following events before the expiration of the term of office: the death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office for cause; his ceasing to have his domicile in the district from which he was elected; his conviction of any infamous crime, or of any offense involving a violation of his oath of office; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring his election void; or his neglect or refusal to take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office and deposit it in the manner and within the time prescribed by law.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409k Appeals court judges; impeachment; removal from office, service of charges, hearing; vacancy, notice.

Sec. 409k.

   Any person holding the office of judge of the court of appeals may be removed from office upon conviction in impeachment proceedings for the reasons and in the manner set forth in section 7 of article 11 of the state constitution, or the governor shall remove any judge of the court of appeals upon a concurrent resolution of 2/3 of the members elected to and serving in each house of the state legislature, and the cause for such removal shall be stated at length in such resolution, as provided in section 25 of article 6 of said constitution. Such person shall be served with a written notice of the charges against him and be afforded an opportunity for a hearing thereon. When a vacancy occurs in any of the said offices, a notice of such vacancy and the reason why the same exists shall, within 10 days after such vacancy occurs, be given in writing by the secretary of state to the court administrator, with a copy to the governor.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409l Judge of court of appeals; appointment to fill vacancy; election of successor; term.

Sec. 409l.

   (1) If a vacancy occurs in the office of judge of the court of appeals, the governor shall appoint a successor to fill the vacancy. Except as otherwise provided in section 409b(8), the person appointed by the governor shall be considered an incumbent for purposes of this act. The person appointed by the governor shall hold office until 12 noon of January 1 following the next general November election at which a successor is elected and qualified.
  (2) Except as otherwise provided in section 409d(2), if the vacancy occurs more than 7 days before the nominating petition filing deadline as provided in section 409b for the general November election that is not the general November election at which a successor in office would be elected if there were no vacancy, the person appointed shall hold office only until a successor is elected at the next general November election in the manner provided for in this chapter for the election of judges of the court of appeals. The person elected shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 10, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 1970 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 1990 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409m Appeals court judges; primary or election, recount of votes.

Sec. 409m.

   The votes cast for any candidate for judge of the court of appeals at any primary or election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33 of this act.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 60, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.409n Appeals court judges; not subject to recall.

Sec. 409n.

   Judges of the court of appeals are not subject to recall as provided by section 8 of article 2 of the state constitution.


History: Add. 1964, Act 228, Eff. Aug. 28, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XIX
JUDGES OF THE CIRCUIT COURT


168.411 Judge of circuit court; eligibility.

Sec. 411.

  A person is not eligible to the office of judge of the circuit court unless the person is a registered and qualified elector of the judicial circuit in which election is sought by the filing deadline or the date the person files the affidavit of candidacy, as provided in section 11 of article VI of the state constitution of 1963, is licensed to practice law in this state, and, at the time of election, is less than 70 years of age.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.412 Candidates for circuit court judge; nomination at general nonpartisan primary election; omission.

Sec. 412.

   A general nonpartisan primary election shall be held in every county of this state on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August prior to the general election at which judges of the circuit court are elected, at which time the qualified and registered electors may vote for nonpartisan candidates for the office of judge of the circuit court. If, upon the expiration of the time for filing petitions or incumbency affidavits of candidacy for the primary election of said judge of the circuit court in any judicial circuit, it shall appear that there are not to exceed twice the number of candidates as there are persons to be elected, then the secretary of state shall certify to the county board of election commissioners the name of such candidate for circuit court judge whose petitions or affidavits have been properly filed, and such candidate shall be the nominee for the judge of the circuit court and shall be so certified. As to such office, there shall be no primary election and this office shall be omitted from the judicial primary ballot.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code





168.413 Judge of circuit court; nominating petitions; filing; affidavit; receiving petitions; applicability of MCL 168.544a and 168.544b; receipt of incorrect or inaccurate written information from secretary of state or bureau of elections; equitable relief; challenge.

Sec. 413.

  (1) To obtain the printing of the name of a person as a candidate for nomination for the office of judge of the circuit court upon the official nonpartisan primary ballots, there must be filed with the secretary of state nominating petitions containing the signatures, addresses, and dates of signing of a number of qualified and registered electors residing in the judicial circuit as determined under section 544f or by the filing of an affidavit according to section 413a. The secretary of state shall receive the nominating petitions up to 4 p.m. of the fifteenth Tuesday before the primary. The provisions of sections 544a and 544b apply.
  (2) If a candidate for nomination for the office of judge of the circuit court receives incorrect or inaccurate written information from the secretary of state or the bureau of elections concerning the number of nominating petition signatures required under section 544f and that incorrect or inaccurate written information is published or distributed by the secretary of state or the bureau of elections, the candidate may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for equitable relief. A court may grant equitable relief to a candidate under this subsection if all of the following occur:
  (a) The candidate brings the action for equitable relief within 6 days after the candidate is notified by the secretary of state or the bureau of elections that the candidate's nominating petition contains insufficient signatures.
  (b) The candidate files an affidavit certifying that he or she contacted and received from the secretary of state or the bureau of elections incorrect or inaccurate written information concerning the number of nominating petition signatures required under section 544f.
  (c) The secretary of state or the bureau of elections published or distributed the incorrect or inaccurate written information concerning the number of nominating petition signatures required under section 544f before the filing deadline under subsection (1).
  (d) The secretary of state or bureau of elections did not inform the candidate at least 14 days before the filing deadline under subsection (1) that incorrect or inaccurate written information concerning the number of nominating petition signatures required under section 544f had been published or distributed.
  (3) If a court grants equitable relief to a candidate under subsection (2), the candidate must be given the opportunity to obtain additional nominating petition signatures to meet the requirements under section 544f. The additional nominating petition signatures obtained by a candidate must be filed with the secretary of state no later than 4 p.m. on the fifth business day after the date that the court order granting equitable relief is filed.
  (4) The nominating petition signatures filed under this section are subject to challenge as provided in section 552.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 293, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 206, Imd. Eff. Jan. 4, 2009 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.413a Incumbent circuit court judge; affidavit of candidacy.

Sec. 413a.

  (1) Any incumbent circuit court judge may become a candidate in the primary election for the office of which he or she is an incumbent by filing with the secretary of state an affidavit of candidacy not less than 134 days before the date of the primary election. However, if an incumbent judge of the circuit court was appointed to fill a vacancy and the judge entered upon the duties of office less than 137 days before the date of the primary election but before the fifteenth Tuesday before the primary election, the incumbent judge may file the affidavit of candidacy not more than 3 days after entering upon the duties of office.
  (2) The affidavit of candidacy must contain statements that the affiant is an incumbent circuit court judge for the circuit in which election is sought, that he or she is domiciled within the circuit, and that he or she will not attain the age of 70 by the date of election, and must contain a declaration that he or she is a candidate for election to the office of circuit court judge.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 38, Imd. Eff. May 26, 1966 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 10, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 1970 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.414 Candidates for nomination; withdrawal; notice.

Sec. 414.

   After the filing of a nominating petition or affidavit of candidacy by or in behalf of a proposed candidate for the office of judge of the circuit court, the proposed candidate is not permitted to withdraw unless he or she serves a written notice of withdrawal on the secretary of state or his or her duly authorized agent. The notice must be served not later than 3 days after the last day for filing nominating petitions if a nominating petition was filed for the proposed candidate, and not later than 3 days after the last day for filing affidavits of candidacy if an affidavit of candidacy was filed for the proposed candidate. If the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the notice of withdrawal may be served on the secretary of state or his or her duly authorized agent at any time on or before 4 p.m., eastern standard time, on the next secular day.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1959, Act 173, Eff. Mar. 19, 1960 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000
Popular Name: Election Code





168.415 Candidates for judge of circuit court; declaration of nominees; certification of nomination; death or disqualification of candidate.

Sec. 415.

  (1) The candidates for the office of judge of the circuit court receiving the largest number of votes at any primary election, to a number equal to twice the number of persons to be elected as set forth in the report of the board of state canvassers, based on the returns from the various county boards of canvassers and election precincts or as determined by the board of state canvassers as the result of a recount, shall be declared the nominees for the office at the next general election. The board of state canvassers shall certify the nomination to the county election commissions.
  (2) If, after the deadline for filing nominating petitions under section 413, there are fewer candidates for nomination or nominees for the office of judge of the circuit court than there are persons to be elected at the general November election because of the death or disqualification of a candidate more than 65 days before the general November election, then a person, whether or not an incumbent, may qualify as a nominee for that office at the general November election by filing nominating petitions as required by section 413. However, the filing shall be made before 4 p.m. on the twenty-first day following the death or disqualification of the candidate or 4 p.m. on the sixtieth day preceding the general November election, whichever is earlier, and the minimum number of signatures required is 1,000 or 1/2 the minimum number required under section 413, whichever is less.
  (3) The secretary of state shall certify the nomination of each person who qualifies as a nominee under subsection (2) to the board of election commissioners specified by section 687 for the general November election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.416 Judge of circuit court; election; death or disqualification of nominee.

Sec. 416.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a judge or judges of the circuit court shall be elected in each judicial circuit at the general election in which judges of the circuit court are to be elected as provided by law.
  (2) If there are fewer nominees for the office of judge of the circuit court than there are persons to be elected at the general November election because of the death or disqualification of a nominee less than 66 days before the general November election, then a person shall not be elected at that general November election to any office of judge of the circuit court for which there is no nominee.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.416a Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to terms of office of circuit court judges.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.416b Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to general election of circuit court judges held in 1966.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.416c Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to terms of office of circuit court judges elected at general election held in 1966.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.416d Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to terms of office of additional circuit court judges elected in November 2, 1965 special election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.417 Circuit court judges; certificate of determination by board of state canvassers.

Sec. 417.

   The board of state canvassers shall determine which candidate or candidates for the office of judge of the circuit court received the greatest number of votes and shall declare such candidate or candidates duly elected. The said board shall forthwith make and subscribe on its statement of returns a certificate of such determination and deliver the same to the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.418 Circuit court judges; preservation of statement and determination; certificate of election.

Sec. 418.

   The secretary of state shall file in his office and preserve the original statement and determination of the board of state canvassers of the result of the election and shall forthwith execute and cause to be delivered to the person or persons thereby declared to be elected to the office of judge of the circuit court a certificate of election certified by him and under the great seal of the state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.419 Circuit court judges; terms of office.

Sec. 419.

   With the exception of the terms of certain judges elected in 1966, the term of office for judge of the circuit court shall be 6 years, commencing at 12 noon on January 1 next following his election and shall continue until a successor shall have been elected and qualified.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code





168.420 Circuit court judges; oath of office, filing.

Sec. 420.

   Every person elected to the office of judge of the circuit court, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 1 of article 11 of the state constitution, and file the same with the secretary of state and a copy with each county clerk in his circuit.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code





168.421 Circuit court judges; resignation, notice.

Sec. 421.

   Any person duly elected to the office of judge of the circuit court who desires to resign shall file a written notice containing the effective date of such resignation with the court administrator and a copy with the governor and secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code





168.422 Circuit court judges; vacancy, creation.

Sec. 422.

   The office of circuit judge shall become vacant upon the happening of any of the following events before the expiration of the term of office: The death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office for cause; his ceasing to be an inhabitant of the circuit for which he shall have been elected or appointed or within which the duties of his office are required to be discharged; his conviction of any infamous crime, or of any offense involving a violation of his oath of office; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring his election or appointment void; or his neglect or refusal to take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office and deposit the same in the manner and within the time prescribed by law.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.423 Circuit court judges; impeachment; removal from office, service of charges, hearing; vacancy, notice.

Sec. 423.

   Any person holding the office of circuit judge may be removed from office upon conviction in impeachment proceedings for the reasons and in the manner set forth in section 7 of article 11 of the state constitution, or the governor shall remove any circuit judge upon a concurrent resolution of 2/3 of the members elected to and serving in each house of the state legislature, and the cause for such removal shall be stated at length in such resolution, as provided in the constitution of this state. Such person shall be served with a written notice of the charges against him and be afforded an opportunity for a hearing thereon. When a vacancy shall occur in any of the said offices, a notice of such vacancy and the reason why the same exists shall, within 10 days after such vacancy occurs, be given in writing by the secretary of state to the supreme court, with a copy to the governor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code





168.424 Judge of circuit court; appointment to fill vacancy; election of successor; term.

Sec. 424.

  (1) If a vacancy occurs in the office of circuit judge, the governor shall appoint a successor to fill the vacancy. Except as otherwise provided in section 424a(3), the person appointed by the governor shall be considered an incumbent for purposes of this act. The person appointed by the governor shall hold office until 12 noon of January 1 following the next general November election at which a successor is elected and qualified.
  (2) Except as otherwise provided in section 415(2), if the vacancy occurs more than 7 days before the nominating petition filing deadline as provided in section 413 for the general November election that is not the general November election at which a successor in office would be elected if there were no vacancy, the person appointed shall hold office only until a successor is elected at the next general November election in the manner provided in this chapter for the election of circuit judges. The person elected shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 236, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 10, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 1970 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014
Popular Name: Election Code





168.424a Primary and general election for 2 or more judgeships; listing categories of candidates on ballot; validity of filed petitions; death or disqualification of incumbent judge; filing for election to more than 1 circuit judgeship; withdrawal; office designation.

Sec. 424a.

  (1) In the primary and general election for 2 or more judgeships of the circuit court, each of the following categories of candidates shall be listed separately on the ballot, consistent with subsection (3):
  (a) The names of candidates for the judgeship or judgeships for which the incumbent is seeking election.
  (b) The names of candidates for an existing judgeship or judgeships for which the incumbent is not seeking election.
  (c) The names of candidates for a newly created judgeship or judgeships.
  (2) Nominating petitions filed under section 413 are valid only if they clearly indicate for which of the following offices the candidate is filing, consistent with subsection (3):
  (a) An unspecified existing judgeship for which the incumbent judge is not seeking election.
  (b) A new judgeship.
  (c) An unspecified existing judgeship for which the incumbent judge is seeking election.
  (3) If the death or disqualification of an incumbent judge triggers the application of section 415(2), then for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), that judgeship shall be regarded as a judgeship for which the incumbent judge is not seeking election. The application of this subsection includes, but is not limited to, circumstances in which the governor appoints an individual to fill the vacancy and that individual seeks to qualify as a nominee under section 415(2).
  (4) A person who files nominating petitions for election to more than 1 circuit judgeship shall have not more than 3 days following the close of filing to withdraw from all but 1 filing.
  (5) In a primary and general election for 2 or more judgeships where more than 1 of the categories in subsection (2) could be selected, a candidate shall apply to the bureau of elections for a written statement of office designation to correspond to the judgeship sought by the candidate. The office designation provided by the secretary of state shall be included in the heading of all nominating petitions. Nominating petitions containing an improper office designation are invalid.
  (6) The secretary of state shall issue an office designation of incumbent position for any judgeship for which the incumbent judge is eligible to seek reelection. If an incumbent judge does not file an affidavit of candidacy by the deadline, the secretary of state shall notify all candidates for that office that a nonincumbent position exists. All nominating petitions circulated for the nonincumbent position subsequent to the deadline shall bear an office designation of nonincumbent position. All signatures collected prior to the affidavit of candidacy filing deadline may be filed with the nonincumbent nominating petitions.


History: Add. 1977, Act 134, Eff. Mar. 30, 1978 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 149, Imd. Eff. May 6, 1982 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000
Popular Name: Election Code





168.425 Circuit court judges; primary or election, recount of votes.

Sec. 425.

   The votes cast for any candidate for circuit judge at any primary or election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426 Circuit court judges; not subject to recall.

Sec. 426.

   Judicial officers are not subject to recall as provided in section 8 of article 2 of the state constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 59, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XIXA
JUDGES OF MUNICIPAL COURTS OF RECORD


168.426a Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to nomination and election of municipal court judge in city having population of 1,000,000 or more.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426b Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to eligibility to hold office of municipal court judge.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426c Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to nomination of candidate for municipal court judge at primary election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426d Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to nominating petition and affidavit of candidacy for office of municipal court judge.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426e Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to statement contained in affidavit of candidacy for office of municipal court judge.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426f Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to declaration of nominees for office of municipal court judge.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426g Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to term of office of municipal court judge elected at 1966 general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426h Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to term of office of municipal court judge running on separate ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426i Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to subsequent elections for office of municipal court judge.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426j Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to term of office of municipal court judge.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426k Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to listing of municipal court judge candidate on ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426l Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to certificate of determination by board of county canvassers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426m Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to certificate of election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.426n Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to oath of office.
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XX
JUDGE OF PROBATE


168.431 Judge of probate; eligibility.

Sec. 431.

  A person is not eligible to the office of judge of probate unless the person is a registered and qualified elector of the county in which election is sought by the filing deadline or the date the person files the affidavit of candidacy, as provided in section 16 of article VI of the state constitution of 1963, is licensed to practice law in this state except as provided in section 7 of the schedule and temporary provisions of the state constitution of 1963, and, at the time of election, is less than 70 years of age.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.432 Candidates for probate judge; nomination at general nonpartisan primary election; omission.

Sec. 432.

   A general nonpartisan primary election shall be held in every county of this state on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August preceding every general November election at which judges of probate are to be elected, at which time the qualified and registered electors may vote for nonpartisan candidates for the office of judge of probate. If upon the expiration of the time for filing petitions or incumbency affidavits of candidacy for the primary election of said probate judges in any county it shall appear that there are not to exceed twice the number of candidates as there are persons to be elected, then the county clerk shall certify to the county board of election commissioners the name of such candidate for probate judge whose petitions have been properly filed and such candidate shall be the nominee for the judge of probate and shall be so certified. As to such office, there shall be no primary election and this office shall be omitted from the judicial primary ballot.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.433 Judge of probate; candidate; nominating petitions; validity of filed petitions; filing for election to more than 1 probate judgeship; withdrawal; office designation; receipt of incorrect or inaccurate information from county clerk or secretary of state; equitable relief; challenge.

Sec. 433.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, to obtain the printing of the name of a person as a candidate for nomination for the office of judge of probate upon the official nonpartisan primary ballots, there must be filed with the county clerk of each county nominating petitions containing the signatures, addresses, and dates of signing of a number of qualified and registered electors residing in the county as determined under section 544f or by the filing of an affidavit according to section 433a. In the case of a probate court district, to obtain the printing of the name of a person as a candidate for nomination for the office of judge of probate upon the official nonpartisan primary ballots, there must be filed with the secretary of state nominating petitions containing the signatures, addresses, and dates of signing of a number of qualified and registered electors residing in the probate court district as determined under section 544f or by the filing of an affidavit according to section 433a. The county clerk or, in the case of a probate court district, the secretary of state shall receive nominating petitions up to 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary. The provisions of sections 544a and 544b apply.
  (2) Nominating petitions filed under this section are valid only if they clearly indicate for which of the following offices the candidate is filing, consistent with section 435a(2):
  (a) An unspecified existing judgeship for which the incumbent judge is seeking election.
  (b) An unspecified existing judgeship for which the incumbent judge is not seeking election.
  (c) A new judgeship.
  (3) A person who files nominating petitions for election to more than 1 probate judgeship has not more than 3 days following the close of filing to withdraw from all but 1 filing.
  (4) In a primary and general election for 2 or more judgeships where more than 1 of the categories in subsection (2) could be selected, a candidate shall apply to the bureau of elections for a written statement of office designation to correspond to the judgeship sought by the candidate. The office designation provided by the secretary of state must be included in the heading of all nominating petitions. Nominating petitions containing an improper office designation are invalid.
  (5) The secretary of state shall issue an office designation of incumbent position for any judgeship for which the incumbent judge is eligible to seek reelection. If an incumbent judge does not file an affidavit of candidacy by the deadline, the secretary of state shall notify all candidates for that office that a nonincumbent position exists. All nominating petitions circulated for the nonincumbent position after the deadline must bear an office designation of nonincumbent position. All signatures collected before the affidavit of candidacy filing deadline may be filed with the nonincumbent nominating petitions.
  (6) If a candidate for nomination for the office of judge of probate receives incorrect or inaccurate written information from the county clerk or, in the case of a probate court district, the secretary of state concerning the number of nominating petition signatures required under section 544f and that incorrect or inaccurate written information is published or distributed by the county clerk or, in the case of a probate court district, the secretary of state, the candidate may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for equitable relief. A court may grant equitable relief to a candidate under this subsection if all of the following occur:
  (a) The candidate brings the action for equitable relief within 6 days after the candidate is notified by the county clerk or, in the case of a probate court district, the secretary of state that the candidate's nominating petition contains insufficient signatures.
  (b) The candidate files an affidavit certifying that he or she contacted and received from the county clerk or, in the case of a probate court district, the secretary of state incorrect or inaccurate written information concerning the number of nominating petition signatures required under section 544f.
  (c) The county clerk or, in the case of a probate court district, the secretary of state published or distributed the incorrect or inaccurate written information concerning the number of nominating petition signatures required under section 544f before the filing deadline under subsection (1).
  (d) The county clerk or, in the case of a probate court district, the secretary of state did not inform the candidate at least 14 days before the filing deadline under subsection (1) that incorrect or inaccurate written information concerning the number of nominating petition signatures required under section 544f had been published or distributed.
  (7) If a court grants equitable relief to a candidate under subsection (6), the candidate must be given the opportunity to obtain additional nominating petition signatures to meet the requirements under section 544f. The additional nominating petition signatures obtained by a candidate must be filed with the county clerk or, in the case of a probate court district, the secretary of state no later than 4 p.m. on the fifth business day after the date that the court order granting equitable relief is filed.
  (8) The nominating petition signatures filed under this section are subject to challenge as provided in section 552.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 293, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 149, Imd. Eff. May 6, 1982 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 208, Imd. Eff. Jan. 4, 2010 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.433a Incumbent probate court judge; affidavit of candidacy.

Sec. 433a.

  (1) Any incumbent probate court judge may become a candidate in the primary election for the office of which he or she is an incumbent by filing with the county clerk, or in case of a probate district with the secretary of state, an affidavit of candidacy not less than 134 days before the date of the primary election. However, if an incumbent judge of probate was appointed to fill a vacancy and the judge entered upon the duties of office less than 137 days before the date of the primary election but before the fifteenth Tuesday before the primary election, the incumbent judge may file the affidavit of candidacy not more than 3 days after entering upon the duties of office.
  (2) The affidavit of candidacy must contain statements that the affiant is an incumbent probate court judge of the county or district of which election is sought, that he or she is domiciled within the county or district, and that he or she will not attain the age of 70 years by the date of election, and must contain a declaration that he or she is a candidate for election to the office of probate court judge.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 10, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 1970 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.434 Candidates for nomination; withdrawal; notice.

Sec. 434.

   After the filing of a nominating petition or affidavit of candidacy by or in behalf of a proposed candidate for the office of judge of probate, the proposed candidate is not permitted to withdraw unless he or she serves a written notice of withdrawal on the secretary of state or his or her duly authorized agent. The notice must be served not later than 3 days after the last day for filing nominating petitions if a nominating petition was filed for the proposed candidate, and not later than 3 days after the last day for filing affidavits of candidacy if an affidavit of candidacy was filed for the proposed candidate. If the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the notice of withdrawal may be served on the secretary of state or his or her duly authorized agent at any time on or before 4 p.m., eastern standard time, on the next secular day.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000
Popular Name: Election Code





168.435 Candidates for judge of probate court; declaration of nominees; certification of nominations; death or disqualification of candidate.

Sec. 435.

  (1) The candidates for the office of judge of probate receiving the largest number of votes at any primary election, to a number equal to twice the number of places to be filled as set forth in the report of the board of county canvassers, based on the returns from the various election precincts or as determined by the board of county canvassers as the result of a recount, shall be declared the nominees for the office at the next November election. The board of county canvassers shall certify the nominations to the county election commission.
  (2) If, after the deadline for filing nominating petitions under section 433, there are fewer candidates for nomination or nominees for the office of judge of probate than there are persons to be elected because of the death or disqualification of a candidate more than 65 days before the general November election, then a person, whether or not an incumbent, may qualify as a nominee for that office at the general November election by filing nominating petitions with the county clerk or, in case of a probate district, with the secretary of state in the manner required by section 433. However, the filing shall be made before 4 p.m. on the twenty-first day following the death or disqualification of the candidate or 4 p.m. on the sixtieth day preceding the general November election, whichever is earlier, and the minimum number of signatures required is 1,000 or 1/2 the minimum number required under section 433, whichever is less.
  (3) The county clerk or, in case of a probate district, the secretary of state shall certify the nomination of each person who qualifies as a nominee under subsection (2) to the board of election commissioners specified by section 687 for the general November election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.435a Primary and general election for 2 or more probate judgeships; listing categories of candidates on ballot; death or disqualification of incumbent judge; application of subsection (2); incumbent judge as candidate; printing designation of office on ballot.

Sec. 435a.

  (1) In the primary and general election for 2 or more probate judgeships, each of the following categories of candidates shall be listed separately on the ballot, consistent with subsection (2):
  (a) The names of candidates for the judgeship or judgeships for which the incumbent is seeking election.
  (b) The names of candidates for an existing judgeship or judgeships for which the incumbent is not seeking election.
  (c) The names of candidates for a newly created judgeship or judgeships.
  (2) If the death or disqualification of an incumbent judge triggers the application of section 435(2), then for the purposes of subsection (1) and section 433(2), that judgeship shall be regarded as a judgeship for which the incumbent judge is not seeking election. The application of this subsection includes, but is not limited to, circumstances in which the governor appoints an individual to fill the vacancy and that individual seeks to qualify as a nominee under section 435(2).
  (3) In the primary or general election for a judge of probate, any incumbent judge who is a candidate shall have printed upon the ballot under the name of the candidate the designation of that office.


History: Add. 1982, Act 149, Imd. Eff. May 6, 1982 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.436 Judge or judges of probate; election in probate court district and county; death or disqualification of nominee.

Sec. 436.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a judge or judges of probate shall be elected in each probate court district created pursuant to law and each county at the general November election in which judges of probate are to be elected as provided by law. Each probate court district created pursuant to law and each county shall have that number of judges of probate as provided by law.
  (2) If there are fewer nominees for the office of judge of probate than there are persons to be elected because of the death or disqualification of a nominee less than 66 days before the general November election, then a person shall not be elected at that general November election to any office of judge of probate for which there is no nominee.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 149, Imd. Eff. May 6, 1982 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.436a-168.436c Repealed. 1982, Act 149, Imd. Eff. May 6, 1982.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections pertained to election of probate judges in single-judge counties, two-judge counties, and multi-judge counties.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.436d Probate judges; time of election.

Sec. 436d.

   Elections for judges of probate shall be held in November immediately prior to the expiration of the terms of office of probate judges.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.437 Probate judges; certificate of election by board of county canvassers.

Sec. 437.

   The board of county canvassers shall determine which candidate or candidates for the office of judge of probate received the greatest number of votes and shall declare such candidate or candidates duly elected. The said board shall forthwith make and subscribe on its statement of returns a certificate of such determination and deliver the same to the county clerk.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.438 Probate judges; certificate of election.

Sec. 438.

   The county clerk shall file in his office and preserve the original statement and determination of the board of county canvassers of the results of the election and shall forthwith execute and cause to be delivered to the person or persons thereby declared to be elected to the office of probate judge a certificate of election, certified by him and under the seal of the county.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.439 Probate judges; term of office.

Sec. 439.

   With the exception of certain judges elected in 1964, the term of office for judge of probate shall be 6 years commencing at 12 noon January 1 next following his election, and shall continue until a successor shall have been elected and qualified.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.440 Probate judges; oath of office.

Sec. 440.

   Every person elected to the office of judge of probate, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 1 of article 11 of the state constitution, and file the same with the county clerk.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.441 Probate judges; resignation, notice.

Sec. 441.

   Any person duly elected to the office of judge of probate who desires to resign shall file a written notice containing the effective date of such resignation with the court administrator and a copy with the governor and secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.442 Probate judges; vacancy, creation.

Sec. 442.

   The office of probate judge shall become vacant upon the happening of any of the following events before the expiration of the term of office: The death of the incumbent; his resignation; his removal from office; his ceasing to be an inhabitant of the county for which he shall have been elected or appointed, or within which the duties of his office are required to be discharged; his conviction of any infamous crime, or of any offense involving a violation of his oath of office; the decision of a competent tribunal declaring his election or appointment void; or his neglect or refusal to take and subscribe to the constitutional oath of office and deposit the same in the manner and within the time prescribed by law.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.443 Probate judges; impeachment; removal from office, service of charges, hearing; notice of vacancy.

Sec. 443.

   Any person holding the office of judge of probate may be removed from office upon conviction in impeachment proceedings for the reasons and in the manner set forth in section 7 of article 11 of the state constitution, or the governor shall remove any judge of probate upon a concurrent resolution of 2/3 of the members elected to and serving in each house of the state legislature, and the cause for such removal shall be stated at length in such resolution, as provided in the constitution of this state. Such person shall be served with a written notice of the charges against him and be afforded an opportunity for a hearing thereon. When a vacancy shall occur in any of the said offices, a notice of such vacancy and the reason why the same exists shall, within 10 days after such vacancy occurs, be given in writing by the secretary of state to the court administrator with a copy to the governor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.444 Judge of probate; appointment to fill vacancy; election of successor; term.

Sec. 444.

  (1) If a vacancy occurs in the office of judge of probate, the governor shall appoint a successor to fill the vacancy. Except as otherwise provided in section 435a(2), the person appointed by the governor shall be considered an incumbent for purposes of this act and shall hold office until 12 noon of January 1 following the next general November election at which a successor is elected and qualified.
  (2) Except as otherwise provided in section 435(2), if the vacancy occurs more than 7 days before the nominating petition filing deadline as provided in section 433 for the general November election that is not the general November election at which a successor in office would be elected if there were no vacancy, the person appointed shall hold office only until a successor is elected at the next general November election in the manner provided for in this chapter for the election of judges of probate. The person elected shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 236, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 10, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 1970 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014
Popular Name: Election Code





168.445 Probate judges; primary or election, recount of votes.

Sec. 445.

   The votes cast for any candidate for judge of probate at any primary or election shall be subject to recount as provided in chapter 33 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.446 Probate judges; not subject to recall.

Sec. 446.

   Judicial officers are not subject to recall as provided in section 8 of article 2 of the state constitution.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 58, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXI
CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONER


168.451-168.458 Repealed. 1967, Act 35, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections pertained to circuit court commissioner, eligibility, election, nomination, certification, number and term.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.459 Repealed. 1960, Act 69, Eff. Aug. 17, 1960;—1967, Act 35, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section established circuit court commissioner term of office.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.460-168.466 Repealed. 1967, Act 35, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections pertained to circuit court commissioner, oath, resignation, causes for vacancy, impeachment, recount and recall.
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXIA
JUDGES OF THE DISTRICT COURT


168.467 Judge of district court; eligibility.

Sec. 467.

  A person is not eligible for the office of judge of the district court unless the person is a registered and qualified elector of the judicial district and election division in which election is sought by the filing deadline or the date the person files the affidavit of candidacy, is licensed to practice law in this state, and, at the time of election or appointment, is less than 70 years of age.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467a Judge of district court; general nonpartisan primary election; time; certification by secretary of state of candidates to be nominees; omission of office from judicial primary ballot.

Sec. 467a.

  A general nonpartisan primary election must be held in every district and election division of this state on the Tuesday after the first Monday in August before the general election at which judges of the district court are elected, at which time the qualified and registered electors may vote for nonpartisan candidates for judge of the district court. If upon the expiration of the time for filing petitions of candidacy for the primary election of the judge of the district court in any district or election division, it appears that there are not to exceed twice the number of candidates as there are persons to be elected, the secretary of state shall certify to the county board of election commissioners the name of those candidates for district court judge whose petitions or affidavits of candidacy have been properly filed and those candidates are the nominees for the judge of the district court and must be so certified. As to that office, there must not be a primary election and this office must be omitted from the judicial primary ballot.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1981, Act 4, Eff. Apr. 30, 1981 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467b Judge of district court; candidate; nominating petitions; validity of filed petitions; filing for election to more than 1 district judgeship; withdrawal; office designation; receipt of incorrect or inaccurate information from secretary of state or bureau of elections; equitable relief; challenge.

Sec. 467b.

  (1) To obtain the printing of the name of a person as a candidate for nomination for the office of judge of the district court upon the official nonpartisan primary ballots, there must be filed with the secretary of state nominating petitions containing the signatures, addresses, and dates of signing of a number of qualified and registered electors residing in the judicial district or division as determined under section 544f. An incumbent district court judge may also become a candidate by the filing of an affidavit in lieu of petitions according to section 467c. The secretary of state shall receive nominating petitions up to 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the primary. The provisions of sections 544a and 544b apply.
  (2) Nominating petitions filed under this section are valid only if they clearly indicate for which of the following offices the candidate is filing, consistent with section 467c(4):
  (a) An unspecified existing judgeship for which the incumbent judge is seeking election.
  (b) An unspecified existing judgeship for which the incumbent judge is not seeking election.
  (c) A new judgeship.
  (3) A person who files nominating petitions for election to more than 1 district judgeship has not more than 3 days following the close of filing to withdraw from all but 1 filing.
  (4) In a primary and general election for 2 or more judgeships where more than 1 of the categories in subsection (2) could be selected, a candidate shall apply to the bureau of elections for a written statement of office designation to correspond to the judgeship sought by the candidate. The office designation provided by the secretary of state must be included in the heading of all nominating petitions. Nominating petitions containing an improper office designation are invalid.
  (5) The secretary of state shall issue an office designation of incumbent position for any judgeship for which the incumbent judge is eligible to seek reelection. If an incumbent judge does not file an affidavit of candidacy by the deadline, the secretary of state shall notify all candidates for that office that a nonincumbent position exists. All nominating petitions circulated for the nonincumbent position after the deadline must bear an office designation of nonincumbent position. All signatures collected before the affidavit of candidacy filing deadline may be filed with the nonincumbent nominating petitions.
  (6) If a candidate for nomination for the office of judge of the district court receives incorrect or inaccurate written information from the secretary of state or the bureau of elections concerning the number of nominating petition signatures required under section 544f and that incorrect or inaccurate written information is published or distributed by the secretary of state or the bureau of elections, the candidate may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for equitable relief. A court may grant equitable relief to a candidate under this subsection if all of the following occur:
  (a) The candidate brings the action for equitable relief within 6 days after the candidate is notified by the secretary of state or the bureau of elections that the candidate's nominating petition contains insufficient signatures.
  (b) The candidate files an affidavit certifying that he or she contacted and received from the secretary of state or the bureau of elections incorrect or inaccurate written information concerning the number of nominating petition signatures required under section 544f.
  (c) The secretary of state or the bureau of elections published or distributed the incorrect or inaccurate written information concerning the number of nominating petition signatures required under section 544f before the filing deadline under subsection (1).
  (d) The secretary of state or bureau of elections did not inform the candidate at least 14 days before the filing deadline under subsection (1) that incorrect or inaccurate written information concerning the number of nominating petition signatures required under section 544f had been published or distributed.
  (7) If a court grants equitable relief to a candidate under subsection (6), the candidate must be given the opportunity to obtain additional nominating petition signatures to meet the requirements under section 544f. The additional nominating petition signatures obtained by a candidate must be filed with the secretary of state no later than 4 p.m. on the fifth business day after the date that the court order granting equitable relief is filed.
  (8) The nominating petition signatures filed under this section are subject to challenge as provided in section 552.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1981, Act 4, Eff. Apr. 30, 1981 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 149, Imd. Eff. May 6, 1982 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 207, Imd. Eff. Jan. 4, 2010 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467c Incumbent district court judge as candidate in primary election; affidavit of candidacy; contents; printing name on ballot; primary and general election for 2 or more judgeships; listing categories of candidates on ballot; death or disqualification of incumbent judge; application of subsection (4).

Sec. 467c.

  (1) An incumbent district court judge may become a candidate in the primary election for the office of which he or she is an incumbent by filing with the secretary of state an affidavit of candidacy in lieu of nominating petitions not less than 134 days before the date of the primary election. However, if an incumbent district court judge was appointed to fill a vacancy and the judge entered upon the duties of the office less than 137 days before the date of the primary election but before the fifteenth Tuesday before the primary election, the incumbent judge may file the affidavit of candidacy not more than 3 days after entering upon the duties of office. The affidavit of candidacy must contain statements that the affiant is an incumbent district court judge for the district or election division in which election is sought, that he or she is domiciled within the district or election division, and that he or she will not attain the age of 70 by the date of election, and a declaration that the affiant is a candidate for election to the office of district court judge.
  (2) There must be printed upon the ballot under the name of each incumbent district judge who is a candidate for nomination or election to the same office the designation of that office.
  (3) In the primary and general election for 2 or more judgeships of the district court, each of the following categories of candidates must be listed separately on the ballot, consistent with subsection (4):
  (a) The names of candidates for the judgeship or judgeships for which the incumbent is seeking election.
  (b) The names of candidates for an existing judgeship or judgeships for which the incumbent is not seeking election.
  (c) The names of candidates for a newly created judgeship or judgeships.
  (4) If the death or disqualification of an incumbent judge triggers the application of section 467e(2), then for the purposes of subsection (3) and section 467b(2), that judgeship must be regarded as a judgeship for which the incumbent judge is not seeking election. The application of this subsection includes, but is not limited to, circumstances in which the governor appoints an individual to fill the vacancy and that individual seeks to qualify as a nominee under section 467e(2).


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 10, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 1970 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 149, Imd. Eff. May 6, 1982 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467d Candidates for nomination; withdrawal; notice.

Sec. 467d.

   After the filing of a nominating petition or affidavit of candidacy by or in behalf of a proposed candidate for the office of judge of the district court, the proposed candidate is not permitted to withdraw unless he or she serves a written notice of withdrawal on the secretary of state or his or her duly authorized agent. The notice must be served not later than 3 days after the last day for filing nominating petitions if a nominating petition was filed for the proposed candidate, and not later than 3 days after the last day for filing affidavits of candidacy if an affidavit of candidacy was filed for the proposed candidate. If the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the notice of withdrawal may be served on the secretary of state or his or her duly authorized agent at any time on or before 4 p.m., eastern standard time, on the next secular day.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467e Candidates for judge of district court; declaration of nominees; certification of nomination; death or disqualification of candidate.

Sec. 467e.

  (1) The candidates for the office of judge of the district court receiving the largest number of votes at any primary election, to a number equal to twice the number of persons to be elected as set forth in the report of the board of state canvassers, based on the returns from the various county boards of canvassers and election precincts or as determined by the board as the result of a recount, shall be declared the nominees for the office at the next general November election. The board of state canvassers shall certify the nomination to the county election commissions.
  (2) If, after the deadline for filing nominating petitions under section 467b, there are fewer candidates for nomination or nominees for the office of judge of the district court than there are persons to be elected because of the death or disqualification of a candidate more than 65 days before the general November election, then a person, whether or not an incumbent, may qualify as a nominee for that office at the general November election by filing nominating petitions as required by section 467b. However, the filing shall be made before 4 p.m. on the twenty-first day following the death or disqualification of the candidate or 4 p.m. on the sixtieth day preceding the general November election, whichever is earlier, and the minimum number of signatures required is 1,000 or 1/2 the minimum number required under section 467b, whichever is less.
  (3) The secretary of state shall certify the nomination of each person who qualifies as a nominee under subsection (2) to the board of election commissioners specified by section 687 for the general November election.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467f Judge of district court; election; death or disqualification of nominee.

Sec. 467f.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, judges of the district court shall be elected in each judicial district and election division of a judicial district at the general election to fill vacancies in office as of the following January 1.
  (2) If there are fewer nominees for the office of judge of the district court than there are persons to be elected because of the death or disqualification of a nominee less than 66 days before the general November election, then a person shall not be elected at that general November election to any office of judge of the district court for which there is no nominee.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467g District court judges; certificate of determination by board of state canvassers.

Sec. 467g.

   The board of state canvassers shall determine which candidate or candidates for the office of judge of the district court received the greatest number of votes and shall declare such candidate or candidates duly elected. The board shall forthwith make and subscribe on its statement of returns a certificate of such determination and deliver it to the secretary of state.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467h District court judges; certificate of election.

Sec. 467h.

   The secretary of state shall file in his office and preserve the original statement and determination of the board of state canvassers of the result of the election and shall forthwith execute and deliver to the persons thereby declared to be elected to the office of judge of the district court a certificate of election certified by him and under the great seal of the state.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467i Judge of district court; term of office.

Sec. 467i.

   Except as otherwise provided by law, the term of office for judge of the district court shall be 6 years, commencing at 12 noon on January 1 next following the judge's election and shall continue until a successor is elected and qualified.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1981, Act 4, Eff. Apr. 30, 1981 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467j District court judges; oath of office.

Sec. 467j.

   Every person elected to the office of judge of the district court, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall take and subscribe to the oath as provided in section 1 of article 11 of the state constitution, and file the same with the secretary of state and a copy with each county clerk in his district.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467k District court judges; resignation.

Sec. 467k.

   Any person duly elected to the office of judge of the district court who desires to resign shall file a written notice containing the effective date of such resignation with the court administrator and a copy with the governor and secretary of state.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467l District court judges; impeachment; removal from office, service of charges, hearing; notice of vacancy.

Sec. 467l.

   Any person holding the office of district judge may be removed from office upon conviction in impeachment proceedings for the reasons and in the manner set forth in section 7 of article 11 of the state constitution, or the governor shall remove any district judge upon a concurrent resolution of 2/3 of the members elected to and serving in each house of the legislature, and the cause for such removal shall be stated at length in such resolution, as provided in the state constitution. Such person shall be served with a written notice of the charges against him and be afforded an opportunity for a hearing thereon. When a vacancy occurs in any of the offices, a notice of such vacancy and the reason why the same exists shall, within 10 days after such vacancy occurs, be given in writing by the secretary of state with a copy to the governor and the supreme court.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467m Judge of district court; appointment to fill vacancy; election of successor; term.

Sec. 467m.

  (1) If a vacancy occurs in the office of district judge, the governor shall appoint a successor to fill the vacancy. Except as otherwise provided in section 467c(4), the person appointed by the governor shall be considered an incumbent for purposes of this act and shall hold office until 12 noon of January 1 following the next general November election at which a successor is elected and qualified.
  (2) Except as otherwise provided in section 467e(2), if the vacancy occurs more than 7 days before the nominating petition filing deadline as provided in section 467b for the general November election that is not the general November election at which a successor in office would be elected if there were no vacancy, the person appointed shall hold office only until a successor is elected at the next general November election in the manner provided for in this chapter for the election of district court judges. The person elected shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.


History: Add. 1968, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1968 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 10, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 1970 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Mar. 21, 1990 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467n Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to offices of district court judge in thirty-sixth district.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.467p Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to offices of district court judge in fifty-fourth-b district.
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXII
INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM


168.471 Petitions proposing constitutional amendments; filing; signature requirements.

Sec. 471.

  Petitions under section 2 of article XII of the state constitution of 1963 proposing an amendment to the constitution must be filed with the secretary of state at least 120 days before the election at which the proposed amendment is to be voted upon. Initiative petitions under section 9 of article II of the state constitution of 1963 must be filed with the secretary of state at least 160 days before the election at which the proposed law would appear on the ballot if the legislature rejects or fails to enact the proposed law. Referendum petitions under section 9 of article II of the state constitution of 1963 must be filed with the secretary of state not more than 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the law that is the subject of the referendum was enacted. Not more than 15% of the signatures to be used to determine the validity of a petition described in this section shall be of registered electors from any 1 congressional district. Any signature submitted on a petition above the limit described in this section must not be counted. When filing a petition described in this section with the secretary of state, a person must sort the petition so that the petition signatures are categorized by congressional district. In addition, when filing a petition described in this section with the secretary of state, the person who files the petition must state in writing a good-faith estimate of the number of petition signatures from each congressional district.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 9, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 219, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 608, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Constitutionality: The geographic distribution requirement that not more than 15% of the signatures come from any 1 congressional district, as added by Act 608 of 2018, violates the state constitution of 1963. League of Women Voters of Mich v Sec’y of State, 508 Mich 520 (2022).
Popular Name: Election Code





168.472 Initiative petitions; filing.

Sec. 472.

   Petitions to initiate legislation shall be filed with the secretary of state not less than 10 days before the beginning of a session of the legislature.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Constitutionality: The requirements of this section constitute an unnecessary and unreasonable restraint on the constitutional right to initiate legislation, as provided for by Const 1963, art 2, § 9. Wolverine Golf Club v Secretary of State, 384 Mich 461; 185 NW2d 392 (1971).
Popular Name: Election Code





168.472a Petition; signatures to be counted.

Sec. 472a.

  The signature on a petition that proposes an amendment to the constitution or is to initiate legislation shall not be counted if the signature was made more than 180 days before the petition is filed with the office of the secretary of state.


History: Add. 1973, Act 24, Imd. Eff. June 12, 1973 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 112, Imd. Eff. Aug. 19, 1973 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 219, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 142, Imd. Eff. June 7, 2016
Popular Name: Election Code





168.473 Referendum petitions; filing.

Sec. 473.

   Referendum petitions shall be presented to and filed with the secretary of state within 90 days after the final adjournment of the legislature.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.473b Filing petition after November election.

Sec. 473b.

   Signatures on a petition to propose an amendment to the state constitution of 1963 or a petition to initiate legislation collected prior to a November general election at which a governor is elected shall not be filed after the date of that November general election.


History: Add. 1999, Act 219, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000
Popular Name: Election Code





168.474 Repealed. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to state officer authorized by law or person authorized by law in state constitution defined as board of state canvassers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.474a Assignment of number designation to appear on ballot for question submitted on statewide basis.

Sec. 474a.

  (1) The board of state canvassers shall assign a number designation to appear on the ballot for each question to be submitted on a statewide basis. The designation shall be assigned not less than 60 days before the election. If the question is to appear on a general election ballot the designation shall not be assigned earlier than the primary election preceding that general election.
  (2) The number designation under subsection (1) shall consist of 3 or 4 digits. The first 2 digits shall be the last 2 digits of the year of the election. The next digit or, if necessary, 2 digits shall indicate the chronological order in which the question was filed to appear on the ballot. For the purposes of this subsection, a question shall be considered to be filed to appear on the ballot as follows:
  (a) A general revision of the constitution under section 3 of article XII of the state constitution of 1963 shall be considered to be the first question filed to appear on the ballot for those elections at which a general revision of the constitution will appear on the ballot.
  (b) An amendment to the constitution proposed under section 2 of article XII of the state constitution of 1963, legislation initiated under section 9 of article II of the state constitution of 1963, or a referendum invoked under section 9 of article II of the state constitution of 1963 shall be considered to be filed to appear on the ballot when the petition is filed with the secretary of state.
  (c) An amendment to the constitution proposed under section 1 of article XII of the state constitution of 1963 shall be considered to be filed to appear on the ballot when the joint resolution proposing the amendment is filed with the secretary of state.
  (d) A referendum under section 34 of article IV of the state constitution of 1963 shall be considered to be filed to appear on the ballot when the legislation is filed with the secretary of state.


History: Add. 1978, Act 246, Imd. Eff. June 20, 1978 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 219, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000
Popular Name: Election Code





168.475 Filing of petition; posting of summary and status; notification of board of state canvassers; supplemental filings.

Sec. 475.

  (1) Upon the filing of a petition under this chapter, the secretary of state shall immediately notify the board of state canvassers of the filing of the petition. The notification must be by first-class mail. In addition, upon the filing of a petition under this chapter, the secretary of state shall within 2 business days post on the department of state's website a summary of the proposed amendment or question proposed and the date the petition was filed with the secretary of state. If a summary of the purpose of the proposed amendment or question presented was submitted to and approved by the board of state canvassers under section 482b, that approved summary must be used as the summary posted on the department of state's website as required under this subsection. At least once every 30 days after the date the petition was filed, the secretary of state shall post on the department of state's website an update on the status of that petition.
  (2) After the day on which a petition under this chapter is filed, the secretary of state shall not accept further filings of that petition to supplement the original filing.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 338, Imd. Eff. July 11, 1978 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 219, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 40, Imd. Eff. Mar. 23, 2022
Popular Name: Election Code





168.476 Petitions; canvass by board of state canvassers; use of qualified voter file; hearing upon complaint; investigations; completion date; disposition of challenges; report.

Sec. 476.

  (1) Upon receiving notification of the filing of the petitions, the board of state canvassers shall canvass the petitions to ascertain if the petitions have been signed by the requisite number of qualified and registered electors. The qualified voter file shall be used to determine the validity of petition signatures by verifying the registration of signers and the genuineness of signatures on petitions when the qualified voter file contains digitized signatures. If the qualified voter file indicates that, on the date the elector signed the petition, the elector was not registered to vote, there is a rebuttable presumption that the signature is invalid. If the qualified voter file indicates that, on the date the elector signed the petition, the elector was not registered to vote in the city or township designated on the petition, there is a rebuttable presumption that the signature is invalid. If the board is unable to verify the genuineness of a signature on a petition using the digitized signature contained in the qualified voter file, the board may cause any doubtful signatures to be checked against the registration records by the clerk of any political subdivision in which the petitions were circulated, to determine the authenticity of the signatures or to verify the registrations. Upon request, the clerk of any political subdivision shall cooperate fully with the board in determining the validity of doubtful signatures by rechecking the signature against registration records in an expeditious and proper manner.
  (2) The board of state canvassers may hold hearings upon any complaints filed or for any purpose considered necessary by the board to conduct investigations of the petitions. To conduct a hearing, the board may issue subpoenas and administer oaths. The board may also adjourn from time to time awaiting receipt of returns from investigations that are being made or for other necessary purposes, but shall complete the canvass at least 2 months before the election at which the proposal is to be submitted.
  (3) At least 2 business days before the board of state canvassers meets to make a final determination on challenges to and sufficiency of a petition, the bureau of elections shall make public its staff report concerning disposition of challenges filed against the petition. Beginning with the receipt of any document from local election officials pursuant to subsection (1), the board of state canvassers shall make that document available to petitioners and challengers on a daily basis.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 219, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Eff. Jan. 1, 2007
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.477 Petition and initiative petition; official declaration of sufficiency or insufficiency by board of state canvassers; publication of statement of purpose; expense; effectiveness of law that is subject of referendum.

Sec. 477.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the board of state canvassers shall make an official declaration of the sufficiency or insufficiency of a petition under this chapter at least 2 months before the election at which the proposal is to be submitted. The board of state canvassers shall make an official declaration of the sufficiency or insufficiency of an initiative petition no later than 100 days before the election at which the proposal is to be submitted. The board of state canvassers may not count toward the sufficiency of a petition described in this section any valid signature of a registered elector from a congressional district submitted on that petition that is above the 15% limit described in section 471. If the board of state canvassers declares that the petition is sufficient, the secretary of state shall send copies of the statement of purpose of the proposal as approved by the board of state canvassers to the several daily and weekly newspapers published in this state, with the request that the newspapers give as wide publicity as possible to the proposed amendment or other question. Publication of any matter by any newspaper under this section must be without expense or cost to this state.
  (2) For the purposes of the second paragraph of section 9 of article II of the state constitution of 1963, a law that is the subject of the referendum continues to be effective until the referendum is properly invoked, which occurs when the board of state canvassers makes its official declaration of the sufficiency of the referendum petition. The board of state canvassers shall complete the canvass of a referendum petition within 60 days after the petition is filed with the secretary of state, except that 1 15-day extension may be granted by the secretary of state if necessary to complete the canvass.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 219, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 608, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Constitutionality: The geographic distribution requirement that not more than 15% of the signatures come from any 1 congressional district, as added by Act 608 of 2018, violates the state constitution of 1963. League of Women Voters of Mich v Sec’y of State, 508 Mich 520 (2022).
Popular Name: Election Code





168.478 Petitions; notice of approval or rejection by board of state canvassers to persons filing.

Sec. 478.

   At the time of filing any such petition, the person or persons filing the same may request a notice of the approval or rejection of said petitions to be forwarded by said board to such person or persons or any other persons so designated at the time of the filing of such petitions. In any case where such a request is made at the time of filing of the petitions, it shall be the duty of the secretary of state, immediately upon the determination thereof, to transmit by registered or certified mail to said person or persons an official notice of the sufficiency or insufficiency of said petitions.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956
Popular Name: Election Code





168.479 Review of determination; mandamus, certiorari or other remedy; legal challenge to supreme court.

Sec. 479.

  (1) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary and subject to subsection (2), any person who feels aggrieved by any determination made by the board of state canvassers may have the determination reviewed by mandamus or other appropriate remedy in the supreme court.
  (2) If a person feels aggrieved by any determination made by the board of state canvassers regarding the sufficiency or insufficiency of an initiative petition, the person must file a legal challenge to the board's determination in the supreme court within 7 business days after the date of the official declaration of the sufficiency or insufficiency of the initiative petition or not later than 60 days before the election at which the proposal is to be submitted, whichever occurs first. Any legal challenge to the official declaration of the sufficiency or insufficiency of an initiative petition has the highest priority and shall be advanced on the supreme court docket so as to provide for the earliest possible disposition.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 608, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.480 Proposed constitutional amendment or question; certification; copies to voting precincts; posting.

Sec. 480.

  If a proposed constitutional amendment or other special question is to be submitted to the electors of this state for popular vote, the secretary of state shall, not less than 60 days before the date of the election at which the proposed constitutional amendment or other special question is to be submitted, certify the statement of the purpose for designation on the ballot to the clerk of each county in this state, together with the form in which the constitutional amendment or other special questions shall be printed on the ballot. The secretary of state shall also furnish the county clerks in this state 2 copies of the text of each constitutional amendment or other special question and 2 copies of each statement for each voting precinct in their respective counties. Each county clerk shall furnish the copies of the statement to the township and city clerks in his or her county at the time other supplies for the election are furnished. Each township or city clerk shall, before the opening of the polls on election day, deliver the copies of the text and statement to which each voting precinct in his or her township or city is entitled to the board of election inspectors of the precinct, who shall post the same in conspicuous places in the room where the election is held.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.481 Proposed constitutional amendment or question; form.

Sec. 481.

   Whenever any proposed constitutional amendment or other question is to be submitted to the electors, the board of election commissioners of each county shall cause such proposed constitutional amendment or other special question to be printed in accordance with the form submitted by the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.482 Petitions; size; form; contents.

Sec. 482.

  (1) Each petition under this section must be 8-1/2 inches by 14 inches in size.
  (2) If the measure to be submitted proposes a constitutional amendment, initiation of legislation, or referendum of legislation, the heading of each part of the petition must be prepared in the following form and printed in capital letters in 14-point boldfaced type:
INITIATIVE PETITION
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
OR
INITIATION OF LEGISLATION
OR
REFERENDUM OF LEGISLATION
PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION
(3) A summary in not more than 100 words of the purpose of the proposed amendment or question proposed must follow and be printed in 12-point type. The full text of the amendment so proposed must follow the summary and be printed in 8-point type. If the proposal would alter or abrogate an existing provision of the constitution, the petition must so state and the provisions to be altered or abrogated must be inserted, preceded by the words:
  "Provisions of existing constitution altered or abrogated by the proposal if adopted."
  (4) The following statement must appear beneath the petition heading:
"We, the undersigned qualified and registered electors, residents in the _________________________ congressional district in the state of Michigan, respectively petition for (amendment to constitution) (initiation of legislation) (referendum of legislation) (other appropriate description).".
(5) The following warning must be printed in 12-point type immediately above the place for signatures, on each part of the petition:
WARNING
A person who knowingly signs this petition more than once, signs a name other than his or her own, signs when not a qualified and registered elector, or sets opposite his or her signature on a petition, a date other than the actual date the signature was affixed, is violating the provisions of the Michigan election law.
  (6) Subject to subsections (7) and (8), the remainder of the petition form must be as provided following the warning to electors signing the petition in section 544c(1). In addition, the petition must comply with the requirements of section 544c(2).
  (7) Each petition under this section must provide at the top of the page check boxes and statements printed in 12-point type to clearly indicate whether the circulator of the petition is a paid signature gatherer or a volunteer signature gatherer.
  (8) Each petition under this section must clearly indicate below the statement required under subsection (7) and be printed in 12-point type that if the petition circulator does not comply with all of the requirements of this act for petition circulators, any signature obtained by that petition circulator on that petition is invalid and will not be counted.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 312, Eff. Jan. 1, 1966 ;-- Am. 1993, Act 137, Eff. Jan. 1, 1994 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 142, Eff. Mar. 23, 1999 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 608, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.482a Paid signature gatherer; affidavit; invalidity of signatures.

Sec. 482a.

  (1) If an individual who circulates a petition under section 482 is a paid signature gatherer, then that individual must, before circulating any petition, file a signed affidavit with the secretary of state that indicates he or she is a paid signature gatherer.
  (2) Any signature obtained on a petition under section 482 by an individual who has not filed the required affidavit under subsection (1) is invalid and must not be counted.
  (3) If the circulator of a petition under section 482 provides or uses a false address or provides any fraudulent information on the certificate of circulator, any signature obtained by that circulator on that petition is invalid and must not be counted.
  (4) If a petition under section 482 is circulated and the petition does not meet all of the requirements under section 482, any signature obtained on that petition is invalid and must not be counted.
  (5) Any signature obtained on a petition under section 482 that was not signed in the circulator's presence is invalid and must not be counted.


History: Add. 2018, Act 608, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Constitutionality: The precirculation affidavit requirement for paid signature gatherers in subsections (1) and (2) added by Act 608 of 2018 is unconstitutional. League of Women Voters of Mich v Sec’y of State, 508 Mich 520 (2022).
Popular Name: Election Code





168.482b Summary of purpose of the proposed amendment or question; requirements; approval by the board of state canvassers; form.

Sec. 482b.

  (1) A person who circulates a petition under section 482 may, before circulating any petition, submit the summary of the purpose of the proposed amendment or question proposed that is required under section 482(3) to the board of state canvassers for approval as to the content of the summary. The board of state canvassers must issue an approval or rejection of the content of the summary not more than 30 days after the summary is submitted. The board of state canvassers may not consider a challenge to the sufficiency of a submitted petition on the basis of the summary being misleading or deceptive if that summary was approved before circulation of the petition.
  (2) If a person submits the summary of the purpose of the proposed amendment or question proposed as provided in subsection (1), all of the following apply:
  (a) The summary of the purpose of the proposed amendment or question proposed must be prepared by the director of elections, with the approval of the board of state canvassers.
  (b) The summary is limited to not more than 100 words and must consist of a true and impartial statement of the purpose of the proposed amendment or question proposed in language that does not create prejudice for or against the proposed amendment or question proposed.
  (c) The summary must be worded so as to apprise the petition signers of the subject matter of the proposed amendment or question proposed, but does not need to be legally precise.
  (d) The summary must be clearly written using words that have a common everyday meaning to the general public.
  (3) If the board of state canvassers approves the summary of the purpose of the proposed amendment or question proposed, the person who circulates the petition under section 482 shall print the full text of the approved summary in 12-point type in the place required by section 482(3).


History: Add. 2018, Act 608, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.482c Knowingly made a false statement regarding status as a paid or volunteer signature gatherer; misdemeanor.

Sec. 482c.

  The circulator of a petition under section 482 who knowingly makes a false statement concerning his or her status as a paid signature gatherer or volunteer signature gatherer is guilty of a misdemeanor.


History: Add. 2018, Act 608, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.482d "Paid signature gatherer" defined.

Sec. 482d.

  As used in this chapter, "paid signature gatherer" means an individual who is compensated, directly or indirectly, through payments of money or other valuable consideration to obtain signatures on a petition as described in section 471.


History: Add. 2018, Act 608, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.482e Prohibited conduct; misdemeanor; felony; penalties.

Sec. 482e.

  (1) An individual shall not do any of the following regarding a petition under section 482:
  (a) Sign a petition with a name other than his or her own.
  (b) Make a false statement in a certificate on a petition.
  (c) If not a circulator, sign a petition as a circulator.
  (d) Sign a name as circulator other than his or her own.
  (2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3), an individual who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 93 days, or both.
  (3) An individual shall not sign a petition under section 482 with multiple names. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony.
  (4) If an individual signs a petition in violation of this section, any signature by that individual on the petition is invalid and must not be counted.


History: Add. 2018, Act 650, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.483, 168.484 Repealed. 1965, Act 312, Eff. Jan. 1, 1966.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections required circulator of petition to affix address below his signature, prohibited circulation in more than one city or township and prescribed penalty for fictitious signing.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.483a Amendment to constitution or initiation of legislation; filing and circulation of petition; submission of petition language to public on internet; effective date.

Sec. 483a.

  (1) The petition sponsor of a petition proposing an amendment to the constitution or to initiate legislation shall file the petition or an amended petition with the secretary of state.
  (2) The petition sponsor of a petition proposing an amendment to the constitution or to initiate legislation shall not circulate a petition or an amended petition for signatures until the petition or amended petition is filed with the secretary of state as required in subsection (1).
  (3) The secretary of state shall make the most recent submission of the petition language filed under subsection (1) available to the public on an internet website maintained by the department of state.
  (4) This section takes effect January 1, 2013.


History: Add. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Jan. 1, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.485 Questions submitted to electors; form.

Sec. 485.

   A question submitted to the electors of this state or the electors of a subdivision of this state shall, to the extent that it will not confuse the electorate, be worded so that a "yes" vote will be a vote in favor of the subject matter of the proposal or issue and a "no" vote will be a vote against the subject matter of the proposal or issue. The question shall be worded so as to apprise the voters of the subject matter of the proposal or issue, but need not be legally precise. The question shall be clearly written using words that have a common everyday meaning to the general public. The language used shall not create prejudice for or against the issue or proposal.


History: Add. 1969, Act 152, Eff. Mar. 20, 1970 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 152, Eff. Jan. 1, 1995
Popular Name: Election Code





168.486 Certifying and transmitting language of constitutional amendment or legislation initiated by petition.

Sec. 486.

   If the qualified electors of this state approve a constitutional amendment or legislation initiated by petition, the board of state canvassers shall certify to the secretary of state the language of the amendment or legislation. The secretary of state shall transmit the language of the amendment or legislation to the director of the department of management and budget.


History: Add. 1978, Act 482, Imd. Eff. Nov. 30, 1978
Popular Name: Election Code





168.487 Reimbursement to county, city, and township for cost of conducting special election.

Sec. 487.

  (1) If a statewide special election is called to submit a proposed constitutional amendment to the electors of this state, this state shall reimburse each county, city, and township for the cost of conducting the special election as provided in this section. The reimbursement shall not exceed the verified account of actual costs of the special election. This state shall reimburse each county, city, and township under this section notwithstanding that the county, city, or township also holds a local special election in conjunction with the statewide special election.
  (2) Payment shall be made upon presentation and approval of a verified account of actual costs to the department of treasury, local government audit division, after the department of treasury and the secretary of state agree as to what constitutes valid costs of conducting an election. Reimbursable costs do not include salaries of permanent local officials, the cost of reusable supplies and equipment, or costs attributable to local special elections held in conjunction with the statewide special election.
  (3) The legislature shall appropriate from the general fund of this state an amount necessary to implement this section.
  (4) To qualify for reimbursement, a county, city, or township shall submit its verified account of actual costs before the expiration of 90 days after the date of the statewide special election. This state shall pay or disapprove all or a portion of the verified account before the expiration of 90 days after this state receives a verified account of actual costs under this subsection.
  (5) If this state disapproves all or a portion of a verified account of actual costs under subsection (4), this state shall send a notice of disapproval along with the reasons for the disapproval to the county, city, or township. Upon request of a county, city, or township whose verified account or portion of a verified account was disapproved under this section, this state shall review the disapproved costs with the county, city, or township.


History: Add. 1994, Act 181, Imd. Eff. June 20, 1994
Popular Name: Election Code





168.488 Applicability of MCL 168.544c and 168.482(1), (4), (5), and (6).

Sec. 488.

  (1) Section 544c applies to a nominating petition for an office in a political subdivision under a statute that refers to this section, and to the circulation and signing of the petition.
  (2) Section 482(1), (4), (5), and (6) apply to a petition to place a question on the ballot before the electorate of a political subdivision under a statute that refers to this section, and to the circulation and signing of the petition.
  (3) A person who violates a provision of this act applicable to a petition pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) is subject to the penalties prescribed for that violation in this act.


History: Add. 1998, Act 142, Eff. Mar. 23, 1999
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXIII
REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS


168.491 Inspectors of election, primary election, or special election; vote of registered electors.

Sec. 491.

  The inspectors of election at an election, primary election, or special election in this state shall not receive the vote of an individual whose name is not on the voter registration list generated from the qualified voter file for the precinct in which he or she offers to vote unless the individual meets the requirements of section 523a, or the individual registered to vote in person at the city or township clerk's office in the city or township in which he or she resides during the 14 days before the day of an election or on the day of an election and the individual presents a voter registration receipt to the inspectors of election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 142, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1989 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.492 Qualifications for registration as elector.

Sec. 492.

  Each individual who has the following qualifications of an elector is entitled to register as an elector in the township or city in which he or she resides. The individual must be a citizen of the United States; not less than 17-1/2 years of age; a resident of this state; and a resident of the township or city.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 188, Eff. July 1, 1967 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 17, Imd. Eff. Feb. 19, 1972 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 370, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1973 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 180, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1973 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 142, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1989 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 253, Imd. Eff. Dec. 14, 2010 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.492a Registration of persons confined in jail.

Sec. 492a.

  An individual who is confined in a jail and who is otherwise a qualified elector may, before trial or sentence, register to vote. The individual is considered a resident of the city or township, and address, at which he or she resided before confinement. An individual who is confined in a jail after being convicted and sentenced is not eligible to register to vote.


History: Add. 1975, Act 178, Imd. Eff. July 25, 1975 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.493 Repealed. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to registration cards.
Popular Name: Election Code



***** 168.493a THIS SECTION IS AMENDED EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2025: See 168.493a.amended *****



168.493a Automatic voter registration; qualifications; option to opt-out; information added to qualified voter file; erroneous registration not a violation.

Sec. 493a.

  (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the secretary of state shall automatically register to vote each individual who meets the qualifications of an elector under section 492 and who submits an application for an operator's or chauffeur's license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, an official state personal identification card issued under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, or an enhanced driver license or enhanced official state personal identification card issued under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308. In addition, subject to subsections (2) and (3), the secretary of state shall automatically register to vote each individual who meets the qualifications of an elector under section 492 and who submits a change of address application for an operator's or chauffeur's license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, an official state personal identification card issued under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, or an enhanced driver license or enhanced official state personal identification card issued under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308.
  (2) For purposes of subsection (1), the secretary of state shall only automatically register to vote an individual who indicates on his or her operator's or chauffeur's license application, official state personal identification card application, or change of address application that he or she is a citizen of the United States.
  (3) The secretary of state shall not automatically register to vote an individual who indicates on the operator's or chauffeur's license application, official state personal identification card application, enhanced driver license application, enhanced official state personal identification card application, or change of address application that he or she declines to use the application as a voter registration application. The secretary of state shall not transmit any information to the qualified voter file regarding any individual who declines to use an application described in this section as a voter registration application.
  (4) The secretary of state shall add any information required under section 509q to the qualified voter file for each elector registered under subsection (1) and shall forward the name of each elector registered under this section to the clerk of the city or township in which each elector registered resides.
  (5) An individual who is not eligible to vote and who, without intending to register to vote, becomes registered to vote through human or mechanical error is not considered to have knowingly intended to register to vote in violation of section 519.


History: Add. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code



***** 168.493a.amended THIS AMENDED SECTION IS EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2025 *****



168.493a.amended Automatic voter registration; qualifications; qualified voter file; option to opt-out; notice; information added to qualified voter file; United States citizenship requirement; preregistration; erroneous registration not a violation; monthly data reports.

Sec. 493a.

  (1) Subject to this section, the secretary of state shall automatically register to vote each individual who meets the qualifications of an elector under section 492 and who submits an application for an operator's or chauffeur's license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, an official state personal identification card issued under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, or an enhanced driver license or enhanced official state personal identification card issued under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308. In addition, subject to this section, the secretary of state shall automatically register to vote each individual who meets the qualifications of an elector under section 492 and who submits a change of address application for an operator's or chauffeur's license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, an official state personal identification card issued under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, or an enhanced driver license or enhanced official state personal identification card issued under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308.
  (2) Subject to this subsection, for each individual who submits an application under subsection (1) or who is issued a graduated licensing status under section 310e of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.310e, who provides or has provided documentation demonstrating United States citizenship, and who is of sufficient age to register to vote, the secretary of state shall, if the individual is not already registered to vote in this state, add the information required under section 509q(1)(a), (b), and (g) to the qualified voter file for that individual and electronically forward the individual's information to the clerk of the city or township in which the individual resides to have the clerk register that individual to vote. For an individual registered to vote under this subsection, the qualified voter file must include an indication that the individual was registered to vote under this section. Subject to this subsection, the secretary of state shall send to the individual's residence address, by nonforwardable mail, a notice that the individual has been registered to vote and a postage prepaid and preaddressed return form by which the individual may decline the voter registration. The secretary of state shall prescribe the form of the notice described in this subsection. In addition, the secretary of state shall develop procedures for processing a voter registration under this subsection for an individual who has previously declined voter registration under subsection (4).
  (3) The notice mailed to an individual under subsection (2) must include all of the following:
  (a) An explanation of the eligibility requirements to register to vote, and a statement that if the individual is not eligible to vote, the individual must decline the voter registration by using the postage prepaid and preaddressed return form.
  (b) A statement that an individual may decline the voter registration. The statement must also indicate that if the individual declines the voter registration, the fact that the individual declined the voter registration remains confidential and can be used only for purposes of voter registration statistics. The statement must also indicate that if the individual remains registered to vote, the office at which the individual was registered to vote remains confidential and can be used only for voter registration purposes.
  (c) Information on how a registered elector may cast an absent voter ballot.
  (4) If an individual returns a notice mailed under subsection (2) and declines the voter registration, that individual is considered to never have been registered to vote and any information added to the qualified voter file for that individual must be removed. However, if an individual has voted in an election and then returns a notice mailed under subsection (2) that declines the voter registration, the secretary of state's office shall contact that individual to determine whether the individual wishes to decline the voter registration or remain registered to vote.
  (5) If a notice mailed under subsection (2) is returned to the secretary of state by the post office as undeliverable, the qualified voter file must generate a notification to the clerk of the city or township in which that individual resides to have the clerk mail the individual a notice required under section 509aa(3). If an individual returns a notice mailed under subsection (2) without selecting the option to decline the voter registration, the individual remains registered to vote.
  (6) The secretary of state shall not provide an opportunity to register to vote or automatically register to vote any individual who, when submitting an application under subsection (1), provides documentation demonstrating that the individual is not a United States citizen. Subject to this subsection, for any other individual who submits an application under subsection (1) who has not provided documentation demonstrating United States citizenship, but who is of sufficient age to register to vote, the secretary of state shall offer to register to vote that individual if the individual indicates on the individual's operator's or chauffeur's license application, official state personal identification card application, or change of address application that the individual is a citizen of the United States. The secretary of state shall add the information required under section 509q(1)(a), (b), and (g) to the qualified voter file for each elector registered under this subsection and shall electronically forward the name of each elector registered under this subsection to the clerk of the city or township in which each elector resides to have the clerk register that individual to vote. For an individual registered under this subsection, the qualified voter file must include an indication that the individual was registered to vote under this section. For purposes of this subsection only, the secretary of state shall not register to vote an individual under this subsection who indicates on the individual's operator's or chauffeur's license application, official state personal identification card application, or change of address application that the individual declines to use the application as a voter registration application. The secretary of state shall not transmit any information to the qualified voter file regarding any individual who declines under this subsection to use an application described in this section as a voter registration application.
  (7) The secretary of state shall use the procedures in subsections (2) to (6) to preregister any individual who meets the qualifications to preregister to vote under section 496a and who submits an application under subsection (1). The procedures in subsections (2) to (5) must be used for each individual who submits an application under subsection (1), or who is issued a graduated licensing status under section 310e of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.310e, who provides or has provided documentation demonstrating United States citizenship, and who is of sufficient age to preregister to vote. The notice and procedures required in subsections (2) to (5) must be modified to reflect that the individual has been preregistered to vote, not registered to vote. The procedures in subsection (6) must be used for each individual who submits an application under subsection (1) and who has not provided documentation demonstrating United States citizenship, but is of sufficient age to preregister to vote, except that the secretary of state shall not provide an opportunity to preregister to vote or automatically preregister to vote any individual who, at the time of submitting an application under subsection (1), provides documentation demonstrating that the individual is not a United States citizen.
  (8) An individual who is not eligible to vote and who, without intending to register to vote, becomes registered to vote through human or mechanical error is not considered to have knowingly intended to register to vote in violation of section 519.
  (9) If an individual who is not eligible to vote becomes registered to vote under subsection (2) or section 493b and votes or attempts to vote in an election held after the effective date of the individual's voter registration, that individual is presumed to have a defense for a violation under section 932a(c). This subsection does not apply to an individual who knowingly and willfully makes a false statement to effectuate voter registration or who intentionally takes voluntary action to register to vote or vote knowing that the individual is not entitled to vote.
  (10) Nothing in this section shall be construed to amend the substantive qualifications for voter registration in this state, or to require documentary proof of United States citizenship for voter registration.
  (11) The secretary of state shall publicly release data reports, as described in this subsection, on a monthly basis. The data reports must not include any personally identifying information, must be subcategorized by sex and age of the individuals included, and must include all of the following information:
  (a) The number of individuals registered to vote or preregistered to vote under the procedures in subsections (2) to (5).
  (b) The number of individuals who declined voter registration or voter preregistration under the procedures in subsections (2) to (5).
  (c) The number of individuals registered to vote or preregistered to vote under the procedures in subsection (6).
  (d) The number of individuals who declined voter registration or voter preregistration under the procedures in subsection (6).
  (e) The number of individuals whose voter registration or voter preregistration was updated pursuant to the requirement under sections 509o and 509r that the secretary of state use the residence address provided on a driver license or state personal identification card application as the applicant's residence address in the qualified voter file.
  
  


History: Add. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 268, Eff. June 30, 2025
Popular Name: Election Code



***** 168.493b.added THIS ADDED SECTION IS EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2025 *****



168.493b.added Automatic voter registration agencies; transmission of voter registration information; procedure and schedule; Medicaid application; submission requests by tribal nations; memorandum of understanding; release from incarceration; procedures for processing electronic records.

Sec. 493b.

  (1) If the secretary of state verifies that a state agency in the regular course of business collects sufficient information, including through documents or database verification, to confirm the eligibility for voter registration or the updating of information for an existing voter registration, the secretary of state may designate that state agency as an automatic voter registration agency. Once a state agency is designated as an automatic voter registration agency, that state agency must not be removed as an automatic voter registration agency unless it is shown that the state agency no longer collects sufficient information to confirm the eligibility for voter registration or the updating of information for an existing voter registration.
  (2) If a state agency is designated as an automatic voter registration agency under subsection (1), that state agency and the secretary of state shall jointly establish a procedure and schedule for automatically and electronically transmitting voter registration information from the state agency to the secretary of state for those individuals who are eligible to register to vote or preregister to vote, or to update information in the qualified voter file for those individuals who are already registered to vote or preregistered to vote. Subject to any instructions issued and determined necessary by the secretary of state to conform with a designated state agency transaction, each designated state agency under subsection (1), the secretary of state, and the clerk of each city and township must comply with the procedures under section 493a for automatically registering and preregistering individuals to vote.
  (3) If information is received under subsection (2) for an individual who is already registered to vote or preregistered to vote, the secretary of state shall use the most recent information for the residence address or name of the individual received from the state agency to update the individual's information in the qualified voter file. The secretary of state shall send to the individual's new residence address, by forwardable mail, notice of the change and a postage prepaid and preaddressed return form by which the individual may verify or correct the information. If the individual returns the notice and indicates that the change to the individual's record was in error, the secretary of state must immediately revert the individual's updated information in the qualified voter file to the information as it existed before the update.
  (4) Subject to compliance with all applicable federal laws and regulations, as part of an application for Medicaid coverage to the department of health and human services, the department of health and human services shall automatically and electronically transmit the information required under section 509q(1)(a), either the information required under section 509q(1)(b) or the last 4 digits of the individual's Social Security number, and the individual's digitized signature, if available, to the secretary of state for each individual who is of sufficient age to register to vote or preregister to vote and who is verified as a United States citizen. Subject to any instructions issued and determined necessary by the secretary of state to conform with the structure of a department of health and human services application, in processing the information received from the department of health and human services under this subsection, the secretary of state and each city or township clerk shall comply with the requirements established under section 493a(2) to (5) and (7) for automatically registering and preregistering individuals to vote, and the requirements established under subsection (3) for updating information for individuals who are already registered to vote or preregistered to vote.
  (5) Subject to compliance with all applicable federal laws and regulations, an Indian nation or tribe located in this state may, at its discretion, submit a request to the secretary of state for approval to allow the governing body of the Indian nation or tribe, or an election board, election official, or other designated representative of the Indian nation or tribe, to electronically submit the information required under section 509q(1)(a), either the information required under section 509q(1)(b) or the last 4 digits of the individual's Social Security number, and the individual's digitized signature, if available, for any tribal member to the secretary of state for the purpose of registering and preregistering tribal members to vote or for updating the registration or preregistration information of tribal members. If an Indian nation or tribe submits a request under this subsection and the Indian nation's or tribe's governing body, election board, election official, or other designated representative collects sufficient information, including through documents or database verification, to confirm the eligibility for registration or for updating the information for an existing voter registration, the secretary of state shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Indian nation or tribe regarding transmission and processing of information for purposes of voter registration. Subject to any instructions issued and determined necessary by the secretary of state to conform with Indian nation or tribal procedures, in processing information received under this subsection, the secretary of state and each city or township clerk shall comply with the requirements established under section 493a(2) to (5) and (7) for automatically registering and preregistering individuals to vote, and the requirements established under subsection (3) for updating information for individuals who are already registered to vote or preregistered to vote.
  (6) The secretary of state and the department of corrections shall coordinate to ensure that eligible individuals are automatically registered to vote, with the opportunity to decline the voter registration, on release from incarceration imposed as a sentence for a crime. Subject to this subsection, for individuals scheduled to be released on parole, or discharged on completion of the individual's maximum sentence, and who will be issued an operator's or chauffeur's license under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, an official state personal identification card under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, or an enhanced driver license or enhanced official state personal identification card under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308, the secretary of state and the department of corrections shall use the procedures under section 493a(2) to (7) to comply with this subsection. However, an individual must not be registered to vote until the individual's release on parole or discharge on completion of the individual's maximum sentence. The procedures under section 493a(2) to (5) must be used for each individual who submits an application for an operator's or chauffeur's license under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, an official state personal identification card under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, or an enhanced driver license or enhanced official state personal identification card under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308, who provides or has provided documentation demonstrating United States citizenship, and who is of sufficient age to register to vote. The notice and procedures required under section 493a(2) to (5) must be modified to reflect that the individual is not registered to vote until released on parole or discharged on completion of the individual's maximum sentence. Subject to this subsection, the procedures under section 493a(6) must be used for each individual who submits an application for an operator's or chauffeur's license under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, or an official state personal identification card under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, and who has not provided documentation demonstrating United States citizenship but is of sufficient age to register to vote. However, the secretary of state shall not provide an opportunity to register to vote or automatically register to vote any individual who, at the time of submitting an application for an operator's or chauffeur's license under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, or an official state personal identification card under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, provides documentation demonstrating that the individual is not a United States citizen. The secretary of state and the department of corrections shall jointly ensure that an individual is not registered to vote under this subsection until the individual has been released on parole or discharged on completion of the individual's maximum sentence. For any individual who is released from incarceration imposed as a sentence for a crime and who is not otherwise subject to this subsection, the department of corrections and the secretary of state shall, as provided under subsection (2), jointly establish a procedure and schedule for automatically and electronically transmitting voter registration information from the department of corrections to the secretary of state for those individuals who are eligible to register or preregister to vote.
  (7) The secretary of state shall develop procedures for processing electronic records received from a state agency designated as an automatic voter registration agency, or from an Indian nation or tribe under this section, that do not include a digitized image of the applicant's signature.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 268, Eff. June 30, 2025
Popular Name: Election Code





168.494 Repealed. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to registration cards.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.495 Registration application; contents.

Sec. 495.

  The registration application must contain all of the following:
  (a) The name of the applicant.
  (b) The residence address of the applicant, including the street and number or rural route and box number and the apartment number, if any.
  (c) The city or township and county of residence of the applicant.
  (d) The date of birth of the applicant.
  (e) The driver license or state personal identification card number of the applicant, if available.
  (f) A statement that the applicant is a citizen of the United States.
  (g) For voter registration, a statement that the applicant is at the time of completing the affidavit, or will be on the date of the next election, not less than 18 years of age, and for preregistration to vote, a statement that the applicant is at the time of completing the affidavit at least 16 years of age.
  (h) For voter registration, a statement that the applicant has or will have lived in this state not less than 30 days before the next election, and for preregistration to vote, a statement that the applicant has lived in this state for at least 30 days.
  (i) For voter registration, a statement that the applicant has or will have established the applicant's residence in the township or city in which the applicant is applying for registration not less than 30 days before the next election, and for preregistration to vote, a statement that the applicant has established the applicant's residence in the township or city in which the applicant is applying for preregistration for at least 30 days.
  (j) A statement that the applicant must be at least 18 years of age on or before the date of an election to vote in that election.
  (k) A space in which the applicant must state the place of the applicant's last registration, if any.
  (l) A statement that the registration is not effective until processed by the clerk of the city or township in which the applicant resides.
  (m) A statement that the applicant, if qualified, may vote at an election occurring on or after the date of completing the application.
  (n) A statement authorizing the cancellation of registration at the applicant's last place of registration.
  (o) A space for the applicant to sign and certify to the truth of the statements on the application.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 102, Imd. Eff. June 16, 1966 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 188, Eff. July 1, 1967 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 17, Imd. Eff. Feb. 19, 1972 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 180, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1973 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 87, Imd. Eff. June 20, 1995 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 258, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.495a Repealed. 2011, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Oct. 4, 2011.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to removal of party preference from precinct and registration file.





168.496 Registration of electors; duties of secretary of state.

Sec. 496.

   It shall be the duty of the secretary of state to make the proper forms for use in the registration of electors, in recommending the use of the same to the several clerks of the townships, cities and villages of this state, and in instructing the several township, city and village clerks in this state as to the requirements of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.496a Preregistration requirements; age 16; application; processing and transfer of application; considered registered elector at 17.5 years of age; qualified voter file notification; public education and outreach campaign.

Sec. 496a.

  (1) An individual may preregister to vote if the individual meets all of the following requirements:
  (a) Is at least 16 years of age but less than 17-1/2 years of age.
  (b) Is a citizen of the United States.
  (c) Is a resident of this state.
  (d) Is a resident of the city or township in which the applicant is applying for preregistration.
  (2) An individual may preregister to vote using any method of voter registration available. The method of voter registration used by an individual who is at least 16 years of age but less than 17-1/2 years of age must be considered an application to preregister to vote rather than an application for voter registration, and the individual, if eligible, must be preregistered to vote.
  (3) If an individual preregisters to vote at a secretary of state's office or on the department of state's website, the secretary of state shall transmit the electronic data for that individual's application to preregister to vote to the qualified voter file. If an individual preregisters to vote at the city or township clerk's office or by mail, the city or township clerk shall, immediately after receiving the application to preregister to vote, transmit the electronic data for that individual's application to preregister to vote to the qualified voter file. If an individual preregisters to vote at a location or in a manner not provided for in this subsection, the individual processing that application to preregister to vote must transmit that application to preregister to vote in the manner prescribed by the secretary of state. An individual who is preregistered to vote must be explicitly designated in the qualified voter file as preregistered to vote.
  (4) If an individual who preregisters to vote changes the address that appears on that individual's driver license, enhanced driver license, official state personal identification card, or enhanced official state personal identification card, the secretary of state must change the preregistration to vote address for that individual.
  (5) The records for individuals who are preregistered to vote under this section must be maintained, updated, and canceled in accordance with the procedures for maintaining, updating, and canceling records of individuals who are registered to vote.
  (6) An individual who is preregistered to vote becomes a registered elector at 17-1/2 years of age and is eligible to vote in the first election that occurs on or after the date the individual becomes 18 years of age. If an individual will be 18 years of age on or before the date of an election, the individual may use any method of voting in that election, including any method of voting that occurs before election day.
  (7) At each election, the qualified voter file must include on the precinct voter registration lists, including those precinct voter registration lists used at early voting sites, the names of all registered individuals who will be 18 years of age on or before the date of the election. The qualified voter file must not include on a precinct voter registration list for an election the name of an individual who will not be 18 years of age on or before the date of the election.
  (8) When an individual who is preregistered to vote becomes 17-1/2 years of age, the qualified voter file must generate a notification to the appropriate city or township clerk of the city or township where that individual is preregistered to vote directing the city or township clerk to send a voter identification card to that individual who is preregistered to vote. The city or township clerk who receives a notification under this subsection must send a voter identification card to the individual who is preregistered to vote and must add that individual to the master file.
  (9) The secretary of state and the department of education shall annually coordinate a public education and outreach campaign to ensure that individuals who are at least 16 years of age but less than 18 years of age, and who are eligible to preregister to vote under this section or who are eligible to register to vote under section 492, are informed of the opportunity and available methods to preregister to vote or register to vote. In addition, the department of education shall ensure that materials for voter registration and preregistration to vote are available to pupils in each public high school in this state. As used in this subsection:
  (a) "Public high school" means a public school that offers at least 1 of grades 9 to 12.
  (b) "Public school" means that term as defined in section 5 of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.5.
  (10) No later than June 1, 2024, and no later than March 1 of each year after 2024, the secretary of state shall identify individuals who are at least 16 years of age and less than 18 years of age who have applied for an operator's or chauffeur's license under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, an official state personal identification card under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, or an enhanced driver license or enhanced official state personal identification card under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308, and who are not registered or preregistered to vote, but who are eligible to preregister to vote under this section or eligible to register to vote under section 492. No later than July 1, 2024, and no later than April 1 of each year after 2024, the secretary of state shall contact each individual identified in this subsection and provide information to that individual on the opportunity and available methods to preregister to vote or register to vote.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 258, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.497 Application for registration; in-person or by mail or online; application; proof of residency; identification for election purposes; affidavit; execution; notice; exception.

Sec. 497.

  (1) An individual who is not registered to vote but possesses the qualifications of an elector as provided in section 492 may apply for registration to the clerk of the county, township, or city in which the individual resides in person, during the clerk's regular business hours, or by mail or online until the fifteenth day before an election.
  (2) An individual who is not registered to vote but possesses the qualifications of an elector as provided in section 492 or an individual who is not registered to vote in the city or township in which the individual is registering to vote may apply for registration in person at the city or township clerk's office of the city or township in which the individual resides from the fourteenth day before an election and continuing through the day of the election. An individual who applies to register to vote under this subsection must provide to the city or township clerk proof of residency in that city or township. For purposes of this subsection, "proof of residency" includes, subject to subsection (3), any of the following:
  (a) An operator's or chauffeur's license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, or an enhanced driver license issued under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308.
  (b) An official state personal identification card issued under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, or an enhanced official state personal identification card issued under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308.
  (3) If an applicant for voter registration under subsection (2) does not have proof of residency as that term is defined in subsection (2), the applicant may provide as the applicant's proof of residency any other form of identification for election purposes as that term is defined in section 2 and 1 of the following documents that contains the applicant's name and current residence address:
  (a) A current utility bill.
  (b) A current bank statement.
  (c) A current paycheck, government check, or other government document.
  (4) If an applicant for voter registration under subsection (2) does not have identification for election purposes, the applicant may register to vote if the applicant signs an affidavit indicating that the applicant does not have identification for election purposes and the applicant provides 1 of the following documents that contains the applicant's name and current residence address:
  (a) A current utility bill.
  (b) A current bank statement.
  (c) A current paycheck, government check, or other government document.
  (5) Immediately after approving a voter registration application, the city or township clerk shall provide to the individual registering to vote a voter registration receipt that is in a form as approved by the secretary of state.
  (6) Except as otherwise provided in sections 500a to 500e and 509v, an application for registration must not be executed at a place other than the office of the county, township, or city clerk or a public place or places designated by the clerk or deputy registrar for receiving registrations, but the clerk or deputy registrar may receive an application wherever the clerk or deputy registrar may be. If a county, township, or city clerk does not regularly keep the clerk's office open daily during certain hours, the clerk is not required to be at the clerk's office for the purpose of receiving applications for registration on a particular day nor during specific hours of a day, except as provided in section 498. If an individual registers to vote with the secretary of state during the 14 days before the day of an election by mail, online, or by automatic voter registration, as described in section 493a, the individual must be given a notice on a form developed by the secretary of state informing the individual that the individual is not eligible to vote in the next election unless the individual applies in person at the individual's city or township clerk's office as provided in subsection (2). Except as provided in sections 500a to 500e, the provisions of this section relating to registration apply.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 10, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 188, Eff. July 1, 1967 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 46, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1968 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 180, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1973 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 28, Eff. July 1, 1975 ;-- Am. 1981, Act 61, Imd. Eff. June 5, 1981 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 142, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1989 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 184, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.497a Repealed. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to applicability of 30-day limitation to second school millage election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.497c Voter registration; presenting identification for election purposes; affidavit.

Sec. 497c.

  (1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who applies in person to register to vote at a department of state office, a designated voter registration agency, the office of a county clerk, or the office of the clerk of the city or township in which the applicant resides shall identify himself or herself by presenting identification for election purposes.
  (2) If a person who applies in person to register to vote as provided in subsection (1) does not possess identification for election purposes, the person may sign an affidavit to that effect and be allowed to register to vote. However, the person remains subject to any applicable federal identification requirements under the help America vote act of 2002 until those identification requirements are satisfied.


History: Add. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 129, Imd. Eff. May 3, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.498 Clerk of township or city; office hours, days, and place for receiving applications for registration; public notice; agreement to jointly publish public notice.

Sec. 498.

  (1) In a township or city in which the clerk does not maintain regular daily office hours, the township board or the legislative body of the city may require that the clerk of the township or city shall be at the clerk's office or other designated place for the purpose of receiving applications for registration on the days that the board or legislative body designates.
  (2) The clerk of each township or city shall give public notice of the days and hours that the clerk will be at the clerk's office or other designated place for the purpose of receiving registrations before an election or primary election by publication of the notice in a newspaper published or of general circulation in the township or city and, if considered advisable by the township or city clerk, by posting written or printed notices in at least 2 of the most conspicuous places in each election precinct. The publication or posting must be made not less than 30 days before election day. The notice of registration must include the offices to be filled that will appear on the ballot. If the notice of registration is for an election that includes a ballot proposal, a caption or brief description of the ballot proposal along with the location where an elector can obtain the full text of the ballot proposal must be stated in the notice.
  (3) A county clerk may enter into an agreement with the clerk of 1 or more townships or cities in the county or the clerks of 1 or more cities or townships in a county may enter into an agreement to jointly publish the notice required in subsection (2). The notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the cities and townships listed in the notice.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 188, Eff. July 1, 1967 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 345, Imd. Eff. Jan. 5, 1970 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 180, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1973 ;-- Am. 1977, Act 241, Imd. Eff. Nov. 30, 1977 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 171, Eff. Mar. 31, 1981 ;-- Am. 1981, Act 61, Imd. Eff. June 5, 1981 ;-- Am. 1981, Act 127, Imd. Eff. Sept. 29, 1981 ;-- Am. 1981, Act 140, Imd. Eff. Oct. 30, 1981 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 2, Imd. Eff. Jan. 27, 1982 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 89, Imd. Eff. Apr. 19, 1984 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.499 Registration of elector; registration application; oaths; interpreter; false material statement as misdemeanor; accepting fee as misdemeanor; voter identification card; effect of voter identification card returned to post office.

Sec. 499.

  (1) An elector entitled to registration in an election precinct may become registered in the precinct by applying in person and signing the registration application before the clerk or assistant clerk of the township, city, or village in which the precinct is located. For the performance of his or her duties under this act, each clerk and assistant clerk has the power to administer oaths and to swear persons as to the truth of statements contained in an application. For a better examination of the applicant, a clerk may employ and swear an interpreter to interpret all questions put to applicants and the answers to those questions. If the applicant, in answer to a question or in the registration application, makes a material statement that is false, the applicant is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (2) A clerk or assistant clerk shall not accept a fee from an elector applying for registration, either for the registering of the elector or for the taking of the acknowledgment on the application. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (3) The clerk, immediately after receiving the registration or change of address of an elector, shall prepare a voter identification card for the elector. The clerk shall also prepare and send a corrected voter identification card to an elector affected by a change in United States representative, state senatorial, state representative, or county commissioner district or precinct. The clerk shall forward by first-class mail the voter identification card to the elector at the elector's registration address. The voter identification card shall contain the name and address of the registrant and the United States representative, state senatorial, state representative, or county commissioner district and precinct in which the registrant is an elector. If the original voter identification card is returned to the clerk by the post office as nondeliverable, the clerk shall reject the registration and send the individual a notice of rejection. If a duplicate voter identification card is returned to the clerk by the post office, the clerk shall accept this as information that the elector has moved and the clerk shall proceed in conformity with section 509aa.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 224, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1961, Act 171, Eff. Sept. 8, 1961 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 18, Imd. Eff. Apr. 14, 1964 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 28, Eff. July 1, 1975 ;-- Am. 1977, Act 260, Eff. Mar. 30, 1978 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 105, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1984 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 213, Imd. Eff. Nov. 29, 1995 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004
Popular Name: Election Code





168.499a Repealed. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to appointment, duties, jurisdiction, and training of deputy registrars.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.499b Registration application of program participant under address confidentiality program act; confidentiality.

Sec. 499b.

  The voter registration application of an elector who is a program participant, as that term is defined in the address confidentiality program act, is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
  
  


History: Add. 2020, Act 302, Eff. June 27, 2021
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.499b, which pertained to appointment of deputy registrars, was repealed by Act 441 of 1994, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.499c,168.499d Repealed. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections pertained to duties, jurisdiction, and training of deputy registrars.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.499e Same day voter registration; application approval; receipt.

Sec. 499e.

  (1) The clerk of a city or township shall be present or have a deputy clerk be present at the clerk's office at all times a polling place is open on election day to receive and process voter registration applications.
  (2) Immediately after approving a voter registration application under this section, the clerk or deputy clerk shall prepare a registration card or an insert to a registration list in a form prescribed by the secretary of state. In addition, the clerk or deputy clerk shall provide to the individual registering to vote a voter registration receipt that is in a form as approved by the secretary of state.
  (3) The clerk shall prepare and send a voter identification card in the manner prescribed for corrected voter identification cards in section 499 as soon as practical after the election.


History: Add. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.500 Voter registration of applicant; procedure for applicant unable to write or sign name because of physical disability.

Sec. 500.

  If an applicant for voter registration is unable to write, or sign his or her name on the voter registration application because of a physical disability, then the applicant may execute the registration affidavit either by making his or her mark or by using a signature stamp.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 79, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 2014
Popular Name: Election Code



***** 168.500a THIS SECTION IS AMENDED EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2025: See 168.500a.amended *****



168.500a Registration or change in registration of person applying for renewal of operator's or chauffeur's license; application; contents; signing application; verification receipt; forwarding application to county clerk or city or township clerk.

Sec. 500a.

  (1) The secretary of state or the secretary of state's agent shall afford an individual who appears in a department of state branch office or an individual who applies for renewal of an operator's or chauffeur's license under section 307 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.307, an opportunity to complete an application to register to vote or to change the individual's voting registration name or address, if the applicant possesses the qualifications of an elector on the date of application or will possess the qualifications at the next election. This subsection does not require a registered elector to periodically reregister or to renew his or her registration. The application for registration made under this section must contain all of the information required for a registration application as provided in section 495.
  (2) The applicant shall sign the application. Upon receipt of the application, the agent shall sign the application and provide the applicant with a receipt verifying the registration application. The agent shall promptly forward the application to the county clerk of the applicant's residence or to a city or township clerk designated by the secretary of state.


History: Add. 1975, Act 28, Eff. July 1, 1975 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 173, Imd. Eff. May 30, 1978 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 512, Imd. Eff. Jan. 26, 1981 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 4, Imd. Eff. Feb. 18, 1994 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 87, Imd. Eff. June 20, 1995 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code



***** 168.500a.amended THIS AMENDED SECTION IS EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2025 *****



168.500a.amended Registration or change in registration of person applying for renewal of operator's or chauffeur's license; application.

Sec. 500a.

  The secretary of state or the secretary of state's agent shall ensure that an individual who appears in a department of state branch office or an individual who applies for renewal of an operator's or chauffeur's license under section 307 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.307, is afforded an opportunity to register to vote or to change the individual's voting registration name or address, if the applicant possesses the qualifications of an elector on the date of application or will possess the qualifications at the next election. This section does not require a registered elector to periodically reregister or to renew the elector's registration.
  
  


History: Add. 1975, Act 28, Eff. July 1, 1975 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 173, Imd. Eff. May 30, 1978 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 512, Imd. Eff. Jan. 26, 1981 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 4, Imd. Eff. Feb. 18, 1994 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 87, Imd. Eff. June 20, 1995 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 268, Eff. June 30, 2025
Popular Name: Election Code





168.500b Forwarding application for registration to clerk of city or township; compensation of county clerks; obtaining additional information; transmitting application to appropriate clerk; electronic transmission of address change.

Sec. 500b.

  (1) Not more than 5 business days after receipt of an application for registration, the county clerk shall forward the application for registration to the clerk of the city or township in which the applicant resides.
  (2) Compensation to be paid county clerks for transmitting applications shall be appropriated by the legislature to the secretary of state for equitable distribution by the secretary of state to the county clerks. The city or township clerk shall obtain needed additional information on an application that is not completed properly or return to the secretary of state's election division an application needing additional information or not completed properly. An application received by the clerk of a city or township in which the applicant does not reside shall be transmitted promptly to the appropriate county clerk of the county in which the applicant resides. If the city or township clerk knows the city or township in which the applicant resides, the clerk shall inform the county clerk of the county in which the applicant resides and forward the application directly to the clerk of the city or township in which the applicant resides.
  (3) The secretary of state may electronically transmit to the qualified voter file voter registration change of address information received from a registered elector who is changing the address on his or her operator's or chauffeur's license issued pursuant to the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, or official state personal identification card issued pursuant to 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300. The secretary of state is not required to transmit a paper copy of an elector's voter registration change of address information if the elector's signature is already captured or reproduced under section 307 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.307, and has been transmitted to the qualified voter file. This subsection applies to address changes made within a city or township and to address changes made from 1 city or township to another city or township.


History: Add. 1975, Act 28, Eff. July 1, 1975 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 142, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1989 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.500c Repealed. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to issuance of voter identification card.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.500d Elections in which applicant permitted to vote; determination and notice of nonqualification; presenting validated voter registration application receipt at polls.

Sec. 500d.

  An individual who has properly completed an application for registration at an office of the secretary of state or his or her agent is permitted to vote in all elections after making the application if the clerk determines the individual is qualified. If the clerk determines the individual is not qualified, the clerk immediately shall send a notice to the applicant at the address stated in the application stating the determination and the reasons the individual is not qualified. An individual is permitted to vote if he or she presents at the polls a validated voter registration application receipt and the clerk determines the individual is qualified.


History: Add. 1975, Act 28, Eff. July 1, 1975 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.500e Preparation of registration forms; notice of cancellation.

Sec. 500e.

   The city or township clerk shall prepare the registration forms needed for the city or township from information contained on properly completed and validated applications for persons meeting the requirements of this act. The clerk of a city or township shall forward a notice of cancellation to the clerk of the place of the applicant's previous residence as indicated on the application.


History: Add. 1975, Act 28, Eff. July 1, 1975
Popular Name: Election Code





168.500f Repealed. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to transmission of registration information to village clerk.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.500g Repealed. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to signing registration card.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.500h Repealed. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to notifying clerks of changes of address, death notices, and names of drivers issued license in another state.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.500i "Agent" defined.

Sec. 500i.

  As used in sections 500a to 500e, "agent" means a person appointed by the secretary of state to act as an examining officer for the purpose of examining applicants for operator's and chauffeur's licenses under section 309 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.309.


History: Add. 1975, Act 28, Eff. July 1, 1975 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.500j Repealed. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to authority to promulgate administrative rules.
Popular Name: Election Code



***** 168.501 THIS SECTION IS AMENDED EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2025: See 168.501.amended *****



168.501 Master registration cards; master file.

Sec. 501.

  The master registration cards must be filed alphabetically and must be termed the "master file". The master file must contain the signature of each elector registered in the city or township, unless the clerk of the jurisdiction has access to the qualified voter file and the elector has a digitized signature in the qualified voter file. If an elector is unable to write, or sign his or her name because of a physical disability, the master file must contain the mark or signature stamp used by that elector when a signature is required.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Eff. Jan. 1, 2007 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 79, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 2014 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code



***** 168.501.amended THIS AMENDED SECTION IS EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2025 *****



168.501.amended Master registration cards; master file.

Sec. 501.

  The master registration cards must be filed alphabetically and must be termed the "master file". Subject to section 493b(7), the master file must contain the signature of each elector registered in the city or township, unless the clerk of the jurisdiction has access to the qualified voter file and the elector has a digitized signature in the qualified voter file. If an elector is unable to write, or sign the elector's name because of a physical disability, the master file must contain the mark or signature stamp used by that elector when a signature is required.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Eff. Jan. 1, 2007 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 79, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 2014 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 268, Eff. June 30, 2025
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.501a Repealed. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to creation and arrangement of regitration list.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.502 Custody of master file.

Sec. 502.

  The master file must at all times remain in the custody of the township or city clerk.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.502a Repealed. 1989, Act 142, Eff. Dec. 1, 1990.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to examination of voter registration records and to inactive voter file.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.503 Destruction or mutilation of registration records; request for back-up file from secretary of state; reregistration.

Sec. 503.

  If the voter registration records are destroyed or mutilated making them unusable, the clerk of the city or township shall request a back-up file from the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall provide a list of registered electors and their signatures, if available, from the qualified voter file to the city or township clerk. If the secretary of state is unable to provide a back-up file to the city or township clerk, the clerk shall require the electors to reregister as prescribed by the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 223, Imd. Eff. June 6, 1957 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.504 Repealed. 2006, Act 605, Imd. Eff. Jan. 3, 2007


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to registration of disabled or absent electors.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.505 Authorization to cancel previous registration; signature; form; notice of cancellation; effect of previous address in another state; duties of clerk; authorization to cancel or notice received from another state.

Sec. 505.

  (1) At the time an elector is applying for registration, the registration officer shall ascertain if the elector is already registered as an elector. If the elector is previously registered, the elector shall at the time of applying for registration sign an authorization to cancel a previous registration. The secretary of state shall prescribe forms for this purpose. The form may be a part of the application or a separate form.
  (2) An authorization to cancel that indicates a previous address in a state other than this state must be forwarded to the chief election officer of that state. Notice may be made by forwarding the separate cancellation form, by forwarding the portion of an application listing a previous place of registration, or by forwarding a list certified by the clerk containing the names of people authorizing cancellation.
  (3) An authorization to cancel a voter registration signed by the elector and received from another state or a notice from an election official of another state that an elector has registered in that state has the same force and effect as the notice of authorization to cancel of this state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 52, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 1977, Act 234, Imd. Eff. Nov. 30, 1977 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.506 Change of residence within township or city; transfer of registration by clerk.

Sec. 506.

  A registered elector may, upon change of residence within the township or city, update his or her registration address by sending to the clerk a signed request stating his or her present address, the date he or she moved to that address, and the address from which he or she was last registered, or by updating his or her address in person. The clerk shall strike through the last address, ward, and precinct number and record the new address, ward, and precinct number on the master registration card. Transfers must not be made after the thirtieth day next preceding a regular or special election or primary election, unless the thirtieth day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which event registration transfers must be accepted during the following day.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 188, Eff. July 1, 1967 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 180, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1973 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.506a Repealed. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to declaration or change in party preference, request, failure to identify date of birth, recordation, and voter identification card.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.507 Execution of transfer of registration request; comparison of signatures; certification; filing application for transfer; proper name of street or resident house number; notice; eligibility to vote.

Sec. 507.

  (1) A registered elector who has removed from 1 election precinct of a township, city, or village to another election precinct of the same township, city, or village and has not recorded the removal with the local clerk shall execute a transfer of registration request, listing the new residence address over his or her signature, with the election board in the precinct in which he or she is registered at the next ensuing primary or election.
  (2) If an elector's signature contained in the qualified voter file is available in the polling place, the inspector of election in charge of the registration records shall compare the digitized signature provided by the qualified voter file with the signature and, if the signatures correspond, then the inspector shall certify the fact by affixing his or her initials upon the request. If an elector's signature is not contained in the qualified voter file, the election official shall process the transfer of registration request in the same manner as transfer of registration requests are processed when a voter registration list is used in the polling place. The applicant for transfer, after having signed an application to vote as provided in section 523, shall then be permitted to vote in the precinct for that primary or election only. The application for transfer shall be filed with the township, city, or village clerk who shall transfer the elector's registration pursuant to the application. If the name of a street or resident house number in a township, city, or village is changed, the township, city, or village clerk shall make the change to show the proper name of the street or resident house number in the registration records and notify the county clerk of the change. It is not necessary for the elector to change his or her registration to reflect the change in order to be eligible to vote.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 235, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 142, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1989 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Eff. Jan. 1, 2007
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.507a Moving to another township or city; voting at place of last registration; affidavit; forms; cancellation of registration; voting in person or by absentee ballot.

Sec. 507a.

  (1) A registered and qualified elector of this state who has moved from the city or township in which he or she is registered to another city or township within this state after the sixtieth day before an election or primary election is permitted to vote in the election or primary election at the place of last registration upon the signing of a form containing an affidavit stating that the move has taken place.
  (2) The form or forms required by this section must be approved by the secretary of state, must state that the move has taken place, and must authorize the clerk of the city or township to cancel the elector's registration. An elector coming under this section is permitted to vote either in person or by absentee ballot.


History: Add. 1956, Act 37, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 1956 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 188, Eff. July 1, 1967 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 180, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1973 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 142, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1989 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.507b Repealed. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to registration of elector who has moved from township or city to another township or city within the same county.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.508 Repealed. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to transfer of registration and notice to elector.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509 Repealed. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to examination of voter registration records.





168.509a Repealed. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to members of armed forces on active duty.





168.509b-168.509l Repealed. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections pertained to definitions, statewide voter registration network, duties of secretary of state and clerks, county and state files, registration lists, and voting histories.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509m Purpose of MCL 168.509m to 168.509ii; definitions.

Sec. 509m.

  (1) The purposes of this section and sections 509n to 509ii are all of the following:
  (a) To establish a statewide qualified voter file that consists of all qualified electors who wish to be registered to vote in local, state, and federal elections.
  (b) To enhance the uniformity of the administration of elections by creating and maintaining a statewide qualified voter file.
  (c) To increase the efficiency and decrease the public cost of maintaining voter registration files and implementing the national voter registration act of 1993.
  (d) To increase the integrity of the voting process by creating a single qualified voter file that will permit the name of each citizen of this state to appear only once and that is compiled from other state files that require citizens to verify their identity and residence.
  (e) To apply technology and information gathered by principal executive departments, state agencies, and county, city, township, and village clerks in a manner that ensures that accurate and current records of qualified voters are maintained.
  (2) As used in sections 509n to 509ii:
  (a) "Designated voter registration agency" means an office designated under section 509u to perform voter registration activities in this state.
  (b) "Qualified voter file" means the statewide qualified voter file established according to section 509o.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 351, Eff. Feb. 13, 2019
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509n Secretary of state; duties.

Sec. 509n.

   The secretary of state is responsible for the coordination of the requirements imposed under this chapter, the national voter registration act of 1993, and the help America vote act of 2002. The secretary of state shall do all of the following:
  (a) Develop a mail registration form and make the form available for distribution through governmental and private entities, with special emphasis on making the form available to voter registration programs established for the purpose of registering citizens of this state to vote.
  (b) Instruct designated voter registration agencies and county, city, township, and village clerks about the voter registration procedures and requirements imposed by law.
  (c) By June 15 of each odd numbered year, submit to each member of the committees of the senate and house of representatives with primary responsibility for election matters a report on the qualified voter file. The report shall include, but need not be limited to, both of the following:
  (i) Information on the efficiency and effectiveness of the qualified voter file as a voter registration system.
  (ii) Recommendations of the secretary of state for amendments to this act to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the qualified voter file as a voter registration system.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509o Qualified voter file; establishment and maintenance; individuals considered registered voters; signed application; development and use of process to update qualified voter file; availability of canceled voter registration information; participation in multistate programs or services; limitations.

Sec. 509o.

  (1) The secretary of state shall direct and supervise the establishment and maintenance of a statewide qualified voter file. The secretary of state shall establish the technology to implement the qualified voter file. The qualified voter file is the official file for the conduct of all elections held in this state. The secretary of state may direct that all or any part of the city or township voter registration files must be used in conjunction with the qualified voter file at the first state primary and election held after the creation of the qualified voter file.
  (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an individual who appears to vote in an election and whose name appears in the qualified voter file for that city, township, or school district, and who is not designated in the qualified voter file as preregistered to vote as provided under section 496a, is considered a registered elector of that city, township, or school district under this act.
  (3) The secretary of state, a designated voter registration agency, or a county, city, or township clerk shall not place a name of an individual into the qualified voter file unless that individual signs an application as prescribed in section 509r(3), or is registered to vote or preregistered to vote under section 493a or 493b. The secretary of state or a designated voter registration agency shall not allow an individual to indicate a different address than the address in either the secretary of state's or designated voter registration agency's files to be placed in the qualified voter file.
  (4) The secretary of state shall develop and utilize a process by which information obtained through the United States Social Security Administration's death master file that is used to cancel an operator's or chauffeur's license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, or an official state personal identification card issued under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, of a deceased resident of this state is also used at least once a month to update the qualified voter file to cancel the voter registration of any elector determined to be deceased. The secretary of state shall make the canceled voter registration information under this subsection available to the clerk of each county, city, or township to assist with the clerk's obligations under section 510.
  (5) Subject to this subsection, the secretary of state shall participate with other states in 1 or more recognized multistate programs or services, if available, to assist in the verification of the current residence and voter registration status of electors. The secretary of state shall not participate in any recognized multistate program or service described in this subsection that requires this state to promote or adopt legislation as a condition of participation in that program or service. In addition, the secretary of state shall not participate in any recognized multistate program or service described in this subsection if the secretary of state determines that data of that program or service are not being adequately secured or protected. The secretary of state shall follow the procedures under section 509aa(5) with regard to any electors affected by information obtained through any multistate program or service.
  
  


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 126, Imd. Eff. May 3, 2018 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 195, Imd. Eff. Oct. 7, 2022 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 258, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509p Qualified voter file; components.

Sec. 509p.

  The qualified voter file must consist of all of the following components:
  (a) A computer file that has the capacity to maintain a number of records equal to or greater than the voting age population of this state.
  (b) An electronic network that allows participating designated executive departments, state agencies, and county, city, and township clerks to electronically add, change, or delete records contained in the qualified voter file.
  (c) An interactive electronic communication system that allows access to records in the file of qualified electors residing in a county, city, or township for the purpose of receiving copies of the county, city, or township file, transmitting data to the county, city, or township file, or reviewing and printing the county, city, or township file. The interactive electronic communication system must be designed to permit counties, cities, or townships that are capable of accessing the interactive electronic communication system to add, change, or delete records regarding qualified electors in the qualified voter file.
  (d) A statewide street address index in an electronic medium that will accurately identify the city or township of each record and accurately identify the precinct of each record in the qualified voter file.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509q Qualified voter file; information to be contained for each voter; requirements for program participant in address confidentiality program act; confidentiality of preregistration information.

Sec. 509q.

  (1) Subject to subsection (2), the qualified voter file must contain all of the following information for each qualified voter:
  (a) The name; residence address including house number and street name or rural route and box number, and the apartment number, if any; city; state; zip code; and date of birth.
  (b) The driver license number or state personal identification card number or similar number issued by a designated voter registration agency.
  (c) Jurisdictional information including county and city or township; village, if any; metropolitan district, if any; and school district.
  (d) Precinct numbers and ward numbers, if any.
  (e) Any other information that the secretary of state determines is necessary to assess the eligibility of qualified electors or to administer voter registration or other aspects of the election process.
  (f) Voting history for a 5-year period.
  (g) Before June 30, 2025, the most recent digitized signature of an elector if captured or reproduced by the secretary of state or a county, city, or township clerk from a voter registration application under section 509hh, or captured or reproduced by the secretary of state under section 307 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.307. Beginning June 30, 2025, and subject to section 493b(7), the digitized signatures of an elector if captured or reproduced by the secretary of state or a county, city, or township clerk from a voter registration application under section 509hh, or captured or reproduced by the secretary of state under section 307 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.307.
  (2) If a qualified voter is a program participant, as that term is defined in section 3 of the address confidentiality program act, 2020 PA 301, MCL 780.853, the qualified voter file must also contain the program participant's unique identification number issued by the department of the attorney general.
  (3) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if a qualified voter is a program participant, as that term is defined in section 3 of the address confidentiality program act, 2020 PA 301, MCL 780.853, the information contained in the qualified voter file for that program participant, including the program participant's unique identification number issued by the department of the attorney general, is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246. The information contained in the qualified voter file for a program participant, as that term is defined in section 3 of the address confidentiality program act, 2020 PA 301, MCL 780.853, may be used by an election official during the normal course of the election official's duties as an election official.
  (4) Subject to section 509gg, if an individual preregisters to vote under section 496a, the information contained in the qualified voter file for that individual is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246, until that individual is 17-1/2 years of age.
  
  


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 302, Eff. June 27, 2021 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 258, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509r Qualified voter file; establishment and maintenance of computer system and programs; access; verification of accuracy; compilation of electors; sources; person whose name does not appear in file; requirements; inactive voter file.

Sec. 509r.

  (1) The secretary of state shall establish and maintain the computer system and programs necessary to the operation of the qualified voter file. The secretary of state shall allow each county, city, or township access to the qualified voter file. The county, city, and township clerks shall verify the accuracy of the names and addresses of registered electors in the qualified voter file.
  (2) Subject to subsection (3), the secretary of state and county, city, and township clerks shall compile the qualified voter file that consists of all qualified electors from the following sources and in the following priority:
  (a) A driver license or, if there is no driver license, a state personal identification card, including renewals and changes of address with the department of state.
  (b) An application for benefits or services, including renewals and changes of address, taken by a designated voter registration agency.
  (c) An application to register to vote taken by a county, city, or township clerk.
  (3) An individual whose name does not otherwise appear in the qualified voter file, or whose name has not been added to the qualified voter file under section 493a or 493b, must be placed in the qualified voter file only if the individual signs under penalty of perjury an application that contains an attestation that the applicant meets all of the following requirements:
  (a) Is 16 years of age or older.
  (b) Is a citizen of the United States and this state.
  (c) Is a resident of the city or township where the individual's street address is located.
  (4) The secretary of state shall create an inactive voter file.
  (5) If an elector is sent a notice under section 509aa to confirm the elector's residence information or if an elector does not vote for 6 consecutive years, the secretary of state shall place the registration record of that elector in the inactive voter file. The registration record of that elector must remain in the inactive voter file until 1 of the following occurs:
  (a) The elector votes at an election.
  (b) The elector responds to a notice sent under section 509aa.
  (c) Another voter registration transaction involving that elector occurs.
  (6) While the registration record of an elector is in the inactive voter file, the elector remains eligible to vote and the elector's name must appear on the precinct voter registration list.
  (7) If the registration record of an elector is in the inactive voter file because the elector was sent a notice under section 509aa to confirm the elector's residence information and that elector votes at an election by absent voter ballot, that absent voter ballot must be marked in the same manner as a challenged ballot as provided in section 727.
  
  


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 270, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 258, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509s Repealed. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to implementation of study of qualified voter file.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509t Person considered registered voter; persons required to vote in person; exceptions; prosecution not precluded in state.

Sec. 509t.

  (1) Notwithstanding another provision of law to the contrary, a person who is a qualified elector in this state and who registers to vote in a manner consistent with the national voter registration act of 1993 is considered a registered voter under this act.
  (2) A person who registers to vote in a jurisdiction in this state by mail or by submitting an electronic voter registration application shall vote in person and shall provide identification as required under section 303(b) of the help America vote act of 2002, 52 USC 21083, if that person has not previously voted in person in this state. This subsection does not apply to any of the following registered voters:
  (a) A person who has registered to vote in a jurisdiction in this state in person.
  (b) A person entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting act.
  (c) A person who has a disability as that term is defined in section 103 of the persons with disabilities civil rights act, 1976 PA 220, MCL 37.1103, or, for purposes of voting in person only, a person who is 60 years of age or older.
  (d) A person who is entitled to vote other than in person under any other federal law.
  (3) This section does not preclude this state from prosecuting a violation of this act that is also a violation of a federal election or voting rights law.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 21, Imd. Eff. Mar. 12, 1998 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 353, Eff. Feb. 13, 2019
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509u List designating executive departments, state agencies, or other offices performing voter registration activities; armed forces recruitment office as voter registration agency.

Sec. 509u.

  (1) Not later than the thirtieth day after the effective date of this section, the governor shall provide a list to the secretary of state designating the executive departments, state agencies, or other offices that will perform voter registration activities in this state.
  (2) Pursuant to the national voter registration act of 1993, a recruitment office of the armed forces of the United States is a designated voter registration agency under this act.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509v Registration to vote at certain locations, by mail, or online.

Sec. 509v.

  (1) A person who is not registered to vote at the address where he or she resides may apply to register to vote by submitting an application at any of the following locations:
  (a) The office of the clerk of a county or the office of the clerk of the city or township in which the applicant resides, during regular office hours of that clerk.
  (b) A department of state office.
  (c) A designated voter registration agency when submitting an application, recertification, renewal, or change of address at the voter registration agency.
  (2) A person who is not registered to vote at the address where he or she resides may apply for registration by submitting a completed mail registration application. A person may request a mail registration application from and submit the application to any of the following:
  (a) The secretary of state.
  (b) The clerk of the county, city, or township in which the applicant resides.
  (c) A designated voter registration agency.
  (3) A person who is not registered to vote at the address where he or she resides may apply to register to vote by submitting an electronic voter registration application as provided in section 509ii.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 352, Eff. Feb. 13, 2019
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509w Person processing application; duties; transmitting application; cost of forwarding application.

Sec. 509w.

  (1) The person processing an application submitted in person at a department of state office, a designated voter registration agency, or the office of a county clerk shall do all of the following:
  (a) Validate the application in the manner prescribed by the secretary of state.
  (b) Issue a receipt to the applicant verifying the acceptance of the application.
  (2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3), the department of state office, the designated voter registration agency, or the county clerk shall transmit the application not later than 7 days after receipt of the application to the clerk of the county, city, or township where the applicant resides.
  (3) If an application under subsection (1) is made from the twenty-first day to the fifteenth day before an election, the department of state office, the designated voter registration agency, or the county clerk shall transmit the application not later than 1 business day to the clerk of the county, city, or township where the applicant resides.
  (4) If a completed application is transmitted by the secretary of state or a designated voter registration agency to a county clerk, the secretary of state, to the extent funds are appropriated, shall compensate the county clerk for the cost of forwarding the application to the proper city or township clerk of the applicant's residence from funds appropriated to the secretary of state for that purpose.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509x Application considered as received; requirements.

Sec. 509x.

  An application for registration is considered received on or before the fifteenth day before an election if 1 of the following requirements is met:
  (a) An application is received at a department of state office, a designated voter registration agency, or the office of a county, city, or township clerk on or before the fifteenth day before an election.
  (b) An application is received through the mail that is postmarked on or before the fifteenth day before an election.
  (c) An application is received through the mail on or before the eighth day before an election, if the postmark is missing or is unclear and the application, on its face, is dated by the applicant on or before the fifteenth day before an election. The clerk shall consider an application received under this subdivision as received before the fifteenth day before an election.
  (d) An application is submitted electronically through the electronic voter registration interface on or before the fifteenth day before an election.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 354, Eff. Feb. 13, 2019 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509y Repealed. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to failure to register to vote.





168.509z Notice to clerk of certain information.

Sec. 509z.

   The secretary of state shall notify each clerk of the following information regarding residents or former residents of the clerk's city or township:
  (a) Driver license or state personal identification card changes of address received by the secretary of state, and whether the person submitted an application for the new address.
  (b) The names and addresses in this state of persons who have been issued a driver license in another state.
  (c) Death notices received by the secretary of state.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509aa Updating registration upon receipt of certain information; duties of clerk; instruction by clerk to challenge elector; cancellation of registration; notice that registered elector has moved out of state.

Sec. 509aa.

  (1) A clerk may use change of address information supplied by the United States Postal Service or other reliable information received by the clerk that identifies registered electors whose addresses may have changed as provided in this section.
  (2) On receipt of reliable information that a registered elector has moved the elector's residence within the city or township, the clerk shall send by forwardable mail all of the following to the elector:
  (a) A notice that the clerk has received information indicating that the elector has moved the elector's residence within the city or township.
  (b) A postage prepaid and preaddressed return card on which the elector may verify or correct the address information.
  (c) A notice explaining that, if the address information is correct and the elector has moved the elector's residence within the city or township, the elector should complete and return the card to the clerk with a postmark of 30 days or more before the date of the next election. If the elector has moved the elector's residence within the city or township and does not complete and return the card to the clerk with a postmark of 30 days or more before the date of the next election, the elector will be required to vote in the elector's former precinct of residence in the city or township. The elector will also be required to submit an address correction before being permitted to vote.
  (3) On the receipt of reliable information that a registered elector has moved the elector's residence to another city or township, the clerk shall send by forwardable mail all of the following to the elector:
  (a) A notice that the clerk has received information indicating that the elector has moved the elector's residence to another city or township.
  (b) A postage prepaid and preaddressed return card on which the elector may verify or correct the address information.
  (c) A notice containing all of the following information:
  (i) If the address information is incorrect and the elector has not moved to another city or township and wishes to remain registered to vote, the elector should complete and return the card to the clerk with a postmark of 30 days or more before the date of the next election. If the card is not completed and returned with a postmark of 30 days or more before the date of the next election, the elector may be required to affirm the elector's current address before being permitted to vote. Further, if the elector does not vote in an election within the period beginning on the date of the notice and ending on the first business day immediately following the second November general election that is held after the date on the notice, the registration of the elector will be canceled and the elector's name will be removed from the registration record of that city or township.
  (ii) If the elector has moved the elector's residence to another city or township, information on how the elector can become registered to vote at the next election in the elector's new city or township.
  (4) If a notice sent under subsection (2) or (3) is returned to the clerk by the post office as undeliverable, the clerk shall identify the registration record of an elector as challenged as provided in this act. The clerk shall instruct the board of election inspectors to challenge that elector at the first election at which the elector appears to vote. If in response to the challenge the elector indicates that the elector resides at the registration address or has changed addresses within the city or township, the elector must be permitted to vote a regular ballot rather than a challenged ballot. The elector shall complete a change of address form at the polling place, if applicable. If the elector does not appear to vote in an election within the period beginning on the date of the notice and ending on the first business day immediately following the second November general election that is held after the date of the notice, the clerk shall cancel the registration of the elector and remove the elector's name from the registration record of the city or township.
  (5) If the department of state receives notice that a registered elector has moved out of state by receiving a surrendered Michigan driver license of that registered elector, the secretary of state shall send by forwardable mail all of the following to the elector:
  (a) A notice that the secretary of state has received information indicating that the elector has moved the elector's residence to another state.
  (b) A postage prepaid and preaddressed return card on which the elector may verify or correct the address information.
  (c) A notice providing that if the address information is incorrect and the elector has not moved to another state and wishes to remain registered to vote, the elector should complete and return the card to the secretary of state with a postmark of 30 days or more before the date of the next election. If the card is not completed and returned with a postmark of 30 days or more before the date of the next election, the elector may be required to affirm the elector's current address before being permitted to vote. Further, if the elector does not vote in an election within the period beginning on the date of the notice and ending on the first business day immediately following the second November general election that is held after the date on the notice, the registration of the elector will be canceled and the elector's name will be removed from the qualified voter file.
  (6) A notice sent to an elector under subsection (2), (3), or (5) must include a warning to the elector that any prior absent voter ballot application submitted by the elector for all future elections is rescinded and the elector will not be sent an absent voter ballot for any future elections unless the elector submits a new absent voter ballot application.
  
  


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 270, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 86, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001--AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:--Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.--Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.--Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.--Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.--Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.--Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509bb Failure to vote; cancellation of registration prohibited.

Sec. 509bb.

   A clerk shall not cancel or cause the cancellation of the registration of a voter from the registration record of the city or township based solely upon that registered voter's failure to vote.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509cc Challenge of registration; response by voter; duties of clerk.

Sec. 509cc.

  (1) If a registration is challenged under this act and the challenged voter does not respond in the manner provided in this act, the registration record of that voter remains challenged and election officials shall not allow the challenged voter to vote until he or she answers the grounds of the challenge in the manner provided in this act. If a registration is challenged under this act and an election official determines, based upon the response of the challenged voter, that the voter is qualified to vote, the election official shall allow the voter to vote and the clerk shall remove the identification as challenged from the registration record of that voter.
  (2) If a clerk does not independently determine that a challenged voter is qualified to vote or if the challenged voter does not respond to the challenge or fails to prove in his or her response to the challenge that he or she is qualified to vote during the period beginning on the date of the notice of challenge under this act and ending on the first business day immediately following the second November general election that is held after the date of the notice, the clerk shall cancel the registration of the voter and remove his or her name from the registration record of the city or township.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509dd Program to register voters or remove names.

Sec. 509dd.

  (1) A clerk may conduct a program to register qualified electors or to remove names of registered voters who are no longer qualified to vote in the city or township from the registration records of that city or township. A clerk who conducts a program to register voters or to remove names under this section shall administer the program in a uniform manner to the entire city or township. The clerk shall use nondiscriminatory procedures that comply with the requirements of the voting rights act of 1965, Public Law 89-110, 79 Stat. 437.
  (2) The clerk shall complete any program to remove names conducted under this section 90 days or more before the date of a federal election. The 90-day deadline under this subsection does not apply to the removal of names from the registration records of a city or township under 1 of the following circumstances:
  (a) At the request or authorization of a voter.
  (b) Upon the death of a voter.
  (c) Upon notice that a voter has moved from the city or township and has completed an application at the new address.
  (3) Subject to the requirements of this section, a clerk may use 1 or more of the following to conduct a program to register voters or remove names under this section:
  (a) A house-to-house canvass.
  (b) A general mailing to voters for address verifications.
  (c) Participation in the national change of address program established by the postal service.
  (d) Other means the clerk considers appropriate.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509ee Transmission of report by voter registration agency to secretary of state.

Sec. 509ee.

   Not later than 90 days after the request of the secretary of state, a designated voter registration agency shall transmit to the secretary of state a report including all of the following:
  (a) Information requested by the secretary of state necessary to administer the provisions of sections 509m to 509gg and the national voter registration act of 1993.
  (b) Any other information considered necessary by the secretary of state.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509ff Records; purpose; maintenance; availability to public; names and addresses to whom notice sent.

Sec. 509ff.

  (1) The secretary of state and each county, city, township, or village clerk shall maintain all records concerning the implementation of programs and activities conducted for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and currency of registration records under this chapter for 2 years or more. Except to the extent that the records maintained pursuant to this section relate to a declination to register to vote or to the identity of a designated voter registration agency through which any particular voter applied for registration pursuant to section 509gg, the secretary of state or a county, city, township, or village clerk shall make the records available for public inspection under reasonable conditions and, if available, for photocopying at a reasonable cost.
  (2) The secretary of state or a county, city, township, or village clerk shall include in the records maintained under this section a list of the names and addresses of all persons to whom a notice under section 509aa is sent and if the person has responded to the notice as of the date the inspection of the records is made.


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509gg Information exempt from freedom of information act.

Sec. 509gg.

  (1) Subject to subsection (3), the information described in this subsection that is contained in a registration record is exempt from disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246. The secretary of state, a designated voter registration agency, or a county, city, township, or village clerk shall not release a copy of that portion of a registration record that contains any of the following:
  (a) The record that an individual declined to register to vote.
  (b) The office that received a registered elector's application.
  (c) A registered elector's driver license or state personal identification card number.
  (d) The month and day of birth of a registered elector.
  (e) The telephone number provided by a registered elector.
  (f) The digitized signature of an elector that is captured or reproduced and transmitted to the qualified voter file by the secretary of state or a county, city, or township clerk under section 509hh or by the secretary of state under section 307 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.307.
  (2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the last 4 digits of a registered elector's Social Security number contained in a registration record are exempt from disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246. The last 4 digits of a registered elector's Social Security number contained in a registration record may only be used by the secretary of state to verify a registered elector's data as provided by the help America vote act of 2002 and to verify a registered elector's status under this act, and must not be used or released for any other purpose.
  (3) If an individual preregisters to vote under section 496a, the information contained in the registration record for that individual is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246, until that individual is 17-1/2 years of age. Once that individual is 17-1/2 years of age, the information contained in the registration record for that individual is subject to the exemptions provided in subsection (1).
  
  


History: Add. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 258, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.509hh Capture or reproduction of signature.

Sec. 509hh.

  (1) The secretary of state may capture or reproduce the signature of an elector from a voter registration application or pursuant to section 307 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.307, and transmit the signature to the qualified voter file pursuant to section 509q.
  (2) The county, city, or township clerk may capture or reproduce the signature of an elector from a voter registration application and transmit the signature to the qualified voter file pursuant to section 509q.


History: Add. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005
Popular Name: Election Code



***** 168.509ii THIS SECTION IS AMENDED EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2025: See 168.509ii.amended *****



168.509ii Electronic voter registration interface; requirements; application; qualifications; disqualifications.

Sec. 509ii.

  (1) The secretary of state shall develop and maintain an electronic voter registration interface to allow an applicant to submit a voter registration application electronically through the secretary of state's website. The electronic voter registration interface must do all of the following:
  (a) Transmit the application to the qualified voter file.
  (b) Interact with the state operator's or chauffeur's license file, enhanced driver license file, official state personal identification card file, and enhanced state personal identification card file for authentication purposes.
  (c) Authenticate the identity of an applicant under a process developed by the secretary of state that includes, but is not limited to, verifying all of the following:
  (i) The last 4 digits of the applicant's social security number.
  (ii) The applicant's operator's or chauffeur's license number, enhanced driver license number, official state personal identification card number, or enhanced official state personal identification card number.
  (iii) The applicant's full name as printed on his or her operator's or chauffeur's license, enhanced driver license, official state personal identification card, or enhanced official state personal identification card.
  (iv) The applicant's date of birth.
  (v) The applicant's eye color as printed on his or her operator's or chauffeur's license, enhanced driver license, official state personal identification card, or enhanced official state personal identification card.
  (d) Require the applicant's assent to submit a voter registration application electronically and require the applicant's assent to use his or her most recent digitized signature if captured or reproduced by the secretary of state under section 307 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.307, section 5 of the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.305, or 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300.
  (e) Issue a receipt to the applicant in the manner prescribed by the secretary of state.
  (f) Utilize additional security features considered appropriate by the secretary of state or the department of technology, management, and budget to prevent unauthorized access to data or information, or to ensure that a person attempting to use the electronic voter registration interface is an individual.
  (2) The secretary of state shall develop an electronic voter registration application that includes all of the same information as provided on the mail registration form developed by the secretary of state under section 509n(a), and also includes the notice required under section 307(1)(c) of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.307.
  (3) Only an individual who possesses both of the following is eligible to submit an electronic voter registration application:
  (a) The qualifications of an elector as provided in section 492.
  (b) A valid official state personal identification card issued under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300, an enhanced official state personal identification card issued under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308, a valid operator's or chauffeur's license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923, or an enhanced driver license issued under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308.
  (4) If an elector utilizes the electronic voter registration interface to indicate a change of address, the state bureau of elections shall send a confirmation notice to the elector's previous address.
  (5) An individual is not permitted to use the electronic voter registration interface if the individual meets any of the following conditions:
  (a) The individual ordered a duplicate of an operator's or chauffeur's license, an enhanced driver license, an official state personal identification card, or an enhanced official state personal identification card the same day as submitting an electronic voter registration application.
  (b) The individual submitted a change of address for an operator's or chauffeur's license, an enhanced driver license, an official state personal identification card, or an enhanced official state personal identification card within the 10 days before submitting an electronic voter registration application.
  (c) The individual has an expired operator's or chauffeur's license, an expired enhanced driver license, an expired official state personal identification card, or an expired enhanced official state personal identification card.


History: Add. 2018, Act 350, Eff. Feb. 13, 2019
Popular Name: Election Code



***** 168.509ii.amended THIS AMENDED SECTION IS EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2025 *****



168.509ii.amended Electronic voter registration interface; requirements; application; qualifications.

Sec. 509ii.

  (1) The secretary of state shall develop and maintain an electronic voter registration interface to allow an applicant to submit a voter registration application electronically through the secretary of state's website. The electronic voter registration interface must do all of the following:
  (a) Transmit the application to the qualified voter file.
  (b) Require the applicant's assent to submit the voter registration application electronically.
  (c) Issue a receipt to the applicant in the manner prescribed by the secretary of state.
  (d) Utilize security features determined appropriate by the secretary of state or the department of technology, management, and budget to prevent unauthorized access to data or information and to ensure that a person attempting to use the electronic voter registration interface is an individual.
  (2) The secretary of state shall develop an electronic voter registration application that includes all of the same information as provided on the mail registration form developed by the secretary of state under section 509n(a), and that also includes the notice required under section 307(1)(c) of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.307.
  (3) In order to authenticate the identity of a voter registration applicant submitting an electronic voter registration application under this section, the voter registration applicant must provide 1 of the following:
  (a) The identification number for the applicant on any of the following:
  (i) A valid operator's or chauffeur's license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to 257.923.
  (ii) A valid official state personal identification card issued under 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300.
  (iii) An enhanced driver license issued under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308.
  (iv) An enhanced official state personal identification card issued under the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.301 to 28.308.
  (b) If the applicant does not have an identification number for an identification as provided under subdivision (a), the last 4 digits of a valid Social Security number for the applicant.
  (4) If a voter registration applicant submits a voter registration application under this section that provides an identification number for an identification as provided under subsection (3)(a), the electronic voter registration interface must do all of the following:
  (a) Interact with the state operator's or chauffeur's license file, enhanced driver license file, official state personal identification card file, and enhanced state personal identification card file for authentication purposes.
  (b) Authenticate the identity of an applicant under a process developed by the secretary of state that verifies all of the following:
  (i) The applicant's operator's or chauffeur's license number, enhanced driver license number, official state personal identification card number, or enhanced official state personal identification card number.
  (ii) The applicant's full name as printed on the applicant's operator's or chauffeur's license, enhanced driver license, official state personal identification card, or enhanced official state personal identification card.
  (iii) The applicant's date of birth.
  (iv) The applicant's eye color as printed on the applicant's operator's or chauffeur's license, enhanced driver license, official state personal identification card, or enhanced official state personal identification card.
  (c) Require the applicant's assent to use the applicant's most recent digitized signature if captured or reproduced by the secretary of state under section 307 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.307, section 5 of the enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act, 2008 PA 23, MCL 28.305, or 1972 PA 222, MCL 28.291 to 28.300.
  (5) If a voter registration applicant does not have an identification number for an identification as provided under subsection (3)(a), and that voter registration applicant submits a voter registration application under this section that provides the last 4 digits of the applicant's Social Security number, the electronic voter registration interface must do all of the following:
  (a) Authenticate the identity of the applicant under a process developed by the secretary of state that verifies all of the following information using information maintained by the United States Social Security Administration or the secretary of state:
  (i) The last 4 digits of the applicant's Social Security number.
  (ii) The applicant's full name.
  (iii) The applicant's date of birth.
  (b) Except as otherwise provided under subsection (6), require the applicant's assent to use the applicant's most recent digitized signature contained in the qualified voter file.
  (6) If a digitized signature for a voter registration applicant under subsection (5) is not contained in the qualified voter file, the voter registration applicant is required to electronically submit an image of the applicant's signature through the electronic voter registration interface and must assent to the use of this signature image as the applicant's signature for voter registration purposes. The secretary of state shall develop a process for a voter registration applicant under subsection (5) to electronically submit a high-quality digitized image of the applicant's signature through the electronic voter registration interface, as well as a process for transmitting the digitized image of that applicant's signature to the qualified voter file.
  (7) If an elector utilizes the electronic voter registration interface to indicate a change of address, the state bureau of elections shall send a notice confirming the change to the elector's previous address.
  (8) A registered elector who wishes to provide a new or additional signature for the registered elector's registration record may utilize the electronic voter registration interface to electronically submit an image of the registered elector's signature and assent to the use of that signature image as the registered elector's signature for voter registration purposes. The registered elector must have the registered elector's identity authenticated under the procedures in subsection (4)(b) or (5)(a) before the image of the registered elector's signature is accepted for inclusion in the qualified voter file. The registered elector shall submit the image of the registered elector's signature using the process developed by the secretary of state under subsection (6).
  
  


History: Add. 2018, Act 350, Eff. Feb. 13, 2019 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 257, Eff. June 30, 2025
Popular Name: Election Code





168.510 Deceased electors; cancellation of registration; notification requirements; updating of qualified voter file; removal of absent voter ballot return.

Sec. 510.

  (1) Until December 31, 2022, at least once a month, the county clerk shall forward a list of the last known address and birth date of all individuals over 17-1/2 years of age who have died in the county to the clerk of each city or township in the county. The city or township clerk shall compare this list with the registration records and cancel the registration of the deceased electors.
  (2) Beginning January 1, 2023, and except as otherwise provided in subsections (6) and (7), at least once a month, and not later than the second business day of each month, each county clerk shall update the qualified voter file to initiate the cancellation of the voter registration of all individuals over 17-1/2 years of age who have died in the county.
  (3) Beginning January 1, 2023, each time a county clerk updates the qualified voter file under subsection (2), (6), or (7), the secretary of state shall, within 24 hours after the qualified voter file is updated, send an electronic notification to the appropriate city or township clerk regarding each initiated cancellation of voter registration in that city or township.
  (4) Beginning January 1, 2023, upon receiving an electronic notification under subsection (3), the city or township clerk shall compare the electronic notification with the voter registration records in that city or township and complete the cancellation of the voter registration of each deceased elector in that city or township.
  (5) Beginning January 1, 2023, if the secretary of state updates the qualified voter file to cancel the voter registration of any deceased elector, the secretary of state shall, within 24 hours after the qualified voter file is updated, send an electronic notification to the appropriate city or township clerk regarding each canceled voter registration in that city or township. The secretary of state shall notify each appropriate city or township clerk of any voter registration that needs to be canceled after 4 p.m. on the day before an election so that the city or township clerk can cancel the voter registration.
  (6) Beginning January 1, 2023, on the first Friday in July before an August election and continuing until 16 days before that August election, each county clerk shall update the qualified voter file by the close of business each Friday before that August election to initiate the cancellation of the voter registration of all individuals over 17-1/2 years of age who have died in the county. Beginning January 1, 2023, on the first Friday in October before a November election and continuing until 16 days before that November election, each county clerk shall update the qualified voter file by the close of business each Friday before that November election to initiate the cancellation of the voter registration of all individuals over 17-1/2 years of age who have died in the county.
  (7) Beginning January 1, 2023, 15 days before each August and November election and continuing until the day before each August and November election, each county clerk shall update the qualified voter file by the close of business each business day before the August or November election to initiate the cancellation of the voter registration of all individuals over 17-1/2 years of age who have died in the county. Each county clerk shall notify each appropriate city or township clerk in the county of any voter registration that needs to be canceled after 4 p.m. on the day before an August or November election so that the city or township clerk can cancel the voter registration.
  (8) Upon receiving notice that an elector in the city or township has died and determining that the elector was issued an absent voter ballot, the clerk of that city or township shall make the clerk's best effort to remove the absent voter ballot return envelope or any ballot returned by that elector from processing and spoil the ballot for that elector.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 224, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 45, Imd. Eff. Feb. 19, 1972 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 195, Imd. Eff. Oct. 7, 2022
Popular Name: Election Code





168.511 Cancellation of registration; authorization from elector.

Sec. 511.

   Upon the receipt of an authorization of cancellation of registration from the elector, the clerk shall cancel said registration.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.512 Challenge of elector; affidavit, contents; answering affidavit; cancellation of registration; indiscriminate challenge, penalty.

Sec. 512.

   Any elector of the municipality may challenge the registration of any registered elector by submitting to the clerk of that municipality a written affidavit that such elector is not qualified to vote, which affidavit shall specify the grounds upon which the challenged elector is disqualified. Upon receipt of such affidavit, the clerk shall forthwith send by registered or certified mail to the challenged elector at his registered or last known address a notification of the challenge, which shall include the grounds for such challenge as stated in the affidavit. The challenged elector may within 30 days appear before the clerk and answer the questions and take the oath required of persons challenged on the same grounds at election, or in lieu of appearing in person the challenged elector, within a like period of time, may elect to file with the clerk an affidavit setting forth specifically his qualifications as an elector of the municipality and answering the grounds of the challenge. If within the 30-day period the person challenged shall fail to appear and be sworn or to file an affidavit, or if his statements do not show him to be a qualified elector of the municipality, the clerk shall forthwith cancel his registration. The 30-day period referred to in this section shall be the 30 days immediately following the date of mailing the notice to the challenged elector.
   Any person who shall challenge under the provisions of this section, indiscriminately and without good cause or for the purpose of harassment, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1959, Act 48, Eff. Mar. 19, 1959
Popular Name: Election Code





168.513 Repealed. 1994, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 10, 1995.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to cancellation of registration.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.514 Cancellation of registration; reinstatement prohibited.

Sec. 514.

  If the registration of an elector is canceled, the clerk shall make a proper entry on the master registration card, indicating the date and the cause for cancellation, and shall affix his or her signature to the entries. All copies of the canceled registration cards must be filed in the office of the clerk. All duplicates of the master registration card canceled may be destroyed 2 years after the registration is canceled. The clerk may also destroy the master registration card of an elector 5 years after the date of cancellation of the elector's registration. The clerk may also destroy any canceled master registration cards 2 years after the date of cancellation if the canceled registration cards are reproduced under the records reproduction act, 1992 PA 116, MCL 24.401 to 24.406, and the reproductions are on file in the office of the clerk. The reproductions may be destroyed after the expiration of the statutory retention date of the reproduced records. A voter registration that has been canceled due to an elector moving out of the jurisdiction must not be reinstated if the elector moves back to the jurisdiction and a new voter registration is required for that elector.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 183, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1992, Act 195, Imd. Eff. Oct. 5, 1992 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 271, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.515 Registration records; verification by house-to-house canvass.

Sec. 515.

   The several township, city and village clerks may conduct a house-to-house canvass or use such other means of checking the correctness of registration records as may seem expedient.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.516 Registration records; public inspection.

Sec. 516.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) and section 509gg, the registration record must be open for public inspection.
  (2) If an individual preregisters to vote under section 496a, the information contained in the registration record for that individual is confidential and must not be open for public inspection as provided under subsection (1) until that individual is 17-1/2 years of age.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 258, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.517 Repealed. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to diversion or change in ward or precinct.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.518 Organization of new township; first registration of electors; records; notice; incorporation of new city; registration records; annexation to city; statement by township clerk.

Sec. 518.

   Whenever a new township shall be organized, the persons designated to act as inspectors for the first election to be held therein shall constitute a board of registration for the purpose of making the first registration of qualified electors therein. Said board shall be authorized to procure the necessary books or files and forms to conduct such registration in accordance with the provisions of this act. Subsequent to the election, the records shall be delivered to the persons elected to the office of clerk of the township. At least 10 days' public notice shall be given of the time and place for holding the registration. Such notice shall be given by posting written or printed notices in at least 5 of the most conspicuous places in said township, city or village, or by publication in a newspaper of general circulation therein. Whenever a new city is incorporated from the territory of a township, the registration records of the portion of the township incorporated as a city shall constitute the registration records of the newly incorporated city. Township registration records shall be available and used in connection with the election on the adoption of the charter of any new city or village and for the first election of such city's or village's officers.
   Whenever any territory of a township is annexed to a city, the clerk of the township from which the territory was detached shall, not less than 5 days prior to the effective date of the annexation, forward to the clerk of the city to which the territory was annexed all of the current registration records of the registered electors residing in the annexed territory. Such records shall thereafter be a part of the registration records of such city and the electors whose registration records were so transferred shall be registered electors of such city.
   All such transfers of registration shall be accompanied by a statement signed by the township clerk certifying that all of the current registrations of persons residing within the annexed or incorporated area according to his records are included therein.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 123, Imd. Eff. Apr. 13, 1956 ;-- Am. 1959, Act 160, Eff. Mar. 19, 1960
Popular Name: Election Code





168.519 Illegal or fraudulent registration; penalty.

Sec. 519.

  A township or city clerk or assistant clerk shall not register an individual if the clerk knows or has good reason to believe that the individual is not a resident and qualified. An individual shall not register as an elector if he or she knows or has good reason to believe that he or she is not a resident and qualified. An individual who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.520 Illegal or fraudulent registration; township or city clerk, powers and duties; assistance by police or sheriff; assistant examiners, appointment, expenses.

Sec. 520.

  If a township or city clerk has knowledge that there is a probable illegal or fraudulent registration in the township or city, or in any ward or precinct of the township or city, the clerk has the power and duty to make a full investigation of the facts concerning the registration and to ascertain whether any name has been illegally or fraudulently registered. A township or city clerk is authorized and empowered to call upon the police department of the city or the sheriff of the county in which the city is located, or both, to assist in making the investigation, and the police department and the sheriff are required to render assistance if the clerk makes a request for assistance, and to furnish the clerk at his or her request with all available assistance in making the investigation. A township or city clerk is further authorized and empowered if he or she considers it necessary or advisable to appoint assistant examiners for the purpose of the investigation. Bills for the services of the examiner must be approved by the clerk and must be audited and paid by the township board or legislative body of the city in the same manner as the expenses of conducting elections are paid.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.521 Illegal or fraudulent registration; removal of names; notice; reinstatement; review by mandamus; challenge.

Sec. 521.

  If a township or city clerk determines that any name has been illegally or fraudulently entered upon the registration records of any precinct in the township or city, the clerk shall remove that name from the registration records and shall notify the individual whose name is removed of the removal by registered or certified mail directed to the individual at the address given on the registration records. An individual representing himself or herself to be the individual whose name is removed is not permitted to vote unless the individual shows to the clerk that his or her name was wrongfully removed from the registration records, in which case his or her name must be reinstated. However, any individual aggrieved by the action of any clerk may review the action and seek the reinstatement of his or her name by mandamus and the proceedings and judgment of the court in the case are subject to review in the supreme court. If a clerk has good reason to believe that any name has been illegally or fraudulently entered upon the registration records and the clerk does not remove the name as provided in this section, the clerk shall write the word "challenged" upon the registration card of the individual and shall lay before the prosecuting attorney of the county all the facts concerning the registration. If an individual whose registration card has been marked offers to vote at any election, the inspectors of election shall at that time examine the individual under oath as to his or her qualifications as an elector in the ward or precinct, the same in all respects and with like effect as though he or she had been challenged at the election by a challenger.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.522 Making, certifying, and delivering computer tape, disk, or listing of names and addresses of registered electors; year, month, and day of birth of elector; information exempt from disclosure.

Sec. 522.

  (1) A clerk of a city, township, or village who maintains a computerized file of registered voters and who does not have direct access to the qualified voter files shall make, certify, and deliver to any person, upon request, a computer tape, disk, or listing, as specified by the person, of the names and addresses of the registered electors of the city, township, village, school district, ward, or precinct upon the payment to the clerk of the cost of making, certifying, and delivering the tape, disk, or listing.
  (2) A computer tape, disk, or listing provided under subsection (1) shall include, upon request, the year of birth of an elector but shall not include the month and day of birth of an elector. A computer tape, disk, or listing provided under subsection (1) shall not include a person's driver's license or state personal identification card number or any other information that is exempt from disclosure under section 509gg or other section of this chapter.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1986, Act 168, Imd. Eff. July 7, 1986 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 142, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1989 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997
Popular Name: Election Code





168.522a Repealed. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to requests under the freedom of information act.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.523 Identification of registered elector; presenting identification for election purposes; execution of application; challenge; affidavit; approval, initial, and notation of application; application as poll list; filing application; notations on cards or lists; record of voting participation.

Sec. 523.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), at each election, before being given a ballot, each registered elector offering to vote must identify himself or herself by presenting identification for election purposes, and by executing an application, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, in the presence of an election official that includes all of the following:
  (a) The name of the elector.
  (b) The elector's address of residence.
  (c) The elector's date of birth.
  (d) An affirmative statement by the elector that is included in the signature statement indicating that he or she is a citizen of the United States.
  (e) The elector's signature or mark.
  (2) If an elector's signature contained in the qualified voter file is available in the polling place, the election official shall compare the signature upon the application with the digitized signature provided by the qualified voter file. If an elector's signature is not contained in the qualified voter file, the election official shall process the application in the same manner as applications are processed when a voter registration list is used in the polling place. If voter registration lists are used in the precinct, the election inspector shall determine if the name on the application to vote appears on the voter registration list. If the name appears on the voter registration list, the elector shall provide further identification or other information stated upon the voter registration list. If the signature or an item of information does not correspond, the vote of the person must be challenged, and the same procedure must be followed as provided in this act for the challenging of an elector. If the elector does not have identification for election purposes as required under this section, the individual shall sign an affidavit to that effect before an election inspector and be allowed to vote as otherwise provided in this act. However, an elector being allowed to vote without identification for election purposes as required under this section is subject to challenge as provided in section 727.
  (3) If, upon a comparison of the signature or other identification as required in this section, it is found that the applicant is entitled to vote, the election officer having charge of the registration list shall approve the application and write his or her initials on the application, after which the number on the ballot issued must be noted on the application. The application serves as 1 of the 2 poll lists required to be kept as a record of a person who has voted. The application must be filed with the township, city, or village clerk. If voter registration cards are used in the precinct, the date of the election must be noted by 1 of the election officials upon the precinct registration card of each elector voting at an election. If voter registration lists are used in the precinct, the election official shall clearly indicate upon the list each elector voting at that election. The clerk of a city, village, or township shall maintain a record of voting participation for each registered elector.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1961, Act 57, Eff. Sept. 8, 1961 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 10, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 267, Eff. Aug. 28, 1964 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 338, Imd. Eff. July 11, 1978 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 87, Imd. Eff. June 20, 1995 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Eff. Jan. 1, 2007 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 129, Imd. Eff. May 3, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.523a Individual not listed on voter registration list; issuance of ballot; procedure.

Sec. 523a.

  (1) If an individual who has applied to register to vote on or before election day appears at a polling place on election day and completes an application under section 523 is not listed on the voter registration list, the election inspector shall issue a ballot to the individual as follows:
  (a) For an individual who presents a receipt issued by a department of state office, a designated voter registration agency, or the elector's county, city, or township clerk's office verifying the acceptance of a voter registration application and completes a new voter registration application, the election inspector shall allow the individual to vote a ballot in the same manner as an elector whose name is listed on the voter registration list.
  (b) For an individual who does not present a receipt verifying the acceptance of a voter registration application under subdivision (a), the election inspector shall determine whether the individual is in the appropriate polling place based on residence information provided by the individual. The election inspector shall review any documents or maps in the polling place or communicate with the city or township clerk to verify the appropriate polling place for the individual. The election inspector shall direct an individual who is not in the appropriate polling place to the appropriate polling place. If the individual refuses to go to the appropriate polling place, the election inspector shall issue the individual a provisional ballot that is processed according to subsection (5).
  (2) Except for an individual who produces a receipt under subsection (1)(a), the election inspector shall require an individual who is not listed on the voter registration list to execute a sworn statement affirming that the individual submitted a voter registration application on or before election day and is eligible to vote in the election. An individual who provides false information in a signed sworn statement under this subsection is guilty of perjury. An individual signing a sworn statement shall complete a new voter registration application. The individual shall state the approximate date and in what manner the registration application was submitted:
  (a) To a department of state office.
  (b) To a designated voter registration agency.
  (c) To the office of his or her county, city, or township clerk.
  (d) By a mailed application.
  (3) The election inspector shall contact the city or township clerk to verify whether the individual who signed the sworn statement under subsection (2) is listed in the registration records of the jurisdiction or whether there is any information contrary to the content of the sworn statement.
  (4) If the city or township clerk verifies the elector information and finds no information contrary to the information provided by the individual in the sworn statement and the individual presents identification for election purposes that contains a current residence address to establish his or her identity and residence address, the individual is permitted to vote a provisional ballot that is tabulated on election day in the same manner as an elector whose name is listed on the voter registration list, except that the election inspectors shall process the ballot as a challenged ballot under sections 745 and 746.
  (5) If the election inspector is not able to contact the city or township clerk, the individual is not in the correct precinct, or the individual is unable to present identification for election purposes that contains a current residence address, the individual must be issued a provisional ballot that is not tabulated on election day but is secured for verification after the election. A provisional ballot must also be issued under this subsection to a voter who presents identification for election purposes that does not bear the voter's current residence address, if the voter also presents a document to establish the voter's current residence address. The election inspector shall accept a document containing the name and current residence address of the voter as sufficient documentation to issue a provisional ballot if it is 1 of the following documents:
  (a) A current utility bill.
  (b) A current bank statement.
  (c) A current paycheck, government check, or other government document.
  (6) A provisional ballot must be placed in a provisional ballot return envelope prescribed by the secretary of state and delivered to the city or township clerk after the polls close in a manner as prescribed by the secretary of state.
  (7) For a provisional ballot voted under subsection (4), the election inspector shall provide the voter with a notice that his or her ballot has been tabulated. For a provisional ballot voted under subsection (5), the election inspector shall provide the voter with a notice that the voter's information will be verified by the clerk of the jurisdiction within 6 days after the election to determine whether the ballot will be tabulated and, if the ballot is not tabulated, to determine the reason it was not tabulated. A clerk of a jurisdiction shall provide a free access system for the voter to determine whether the ballot was tabulated. The free access system may include a telephone number that does not require a toll charge, a toll-free telephone number, an internet website, or a mailed notice.
  (8) As used in this section and sections 813 and 829, "provisional ballot" means a special ballot utilized for an individual who is not listed on the voter registration list at the polling place that is tabulated only after verification of the individual's eligibility to vote.


History: Add. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 129, Imd. Eff. May 3, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.523b Establishment of election day vote centers; requirements; election inspector duties.

Sec. 523b.

  (1) If a city or township has processed 500 or more election day voter registrations in either or both of the previous 2 general November elections, the board of election commissioners of that city or township may establish election day vote centers to tabulate ballots issued to electors who register to vote or update voter registration on election day. No later than 90 days before an election, the board of election commissioners of a city or township that establishes an election day vote center under this subsection must inform the county clerk of the county in which that city or township is located that an election day vote center will be established in that city or township. No later than the fourth day before election day, the city or township clerk of a city or township that establishes an election day vote center shall post notice of the establishment and location of that election day vote center on the website of the city or township, if available, and in the clerk's office.
  (2) An election day vote center operates as a polling place and must have at least 3 election inspectors appointed under section 674 and be located in the same building where the city or township clerk provides election day registration, which includes a satellite office of that city or township clerk. A political party, or an incorporated organization or organized committee of interested citizens as described under sections 730 and 731, may have 1 challenger for every 8 election inspectors assigned to an election day vote center.
  (3) Only an elector who registers to vote or updates the elector's voter registration in the city or township on election day is eligible to cast a ballot at an election day vote center that is located in the same building in which the elector registers to vote or updates the elector's voter registration. The registered elector must present to an election inspector at the election day vote center the voter registration receipt issued to that elector under section 497(5) by the city or township clerk on election day, and must comply with all of the other requirements for an elector under section 523. An election inspector in an election day vote center shall do all of the following:
  (a) Allow an elector to cast a ballot in the same manner as an elector whose name is listed on the voter registration list in an election day precinct.
  (b) Enter the elector's name in the poll book approved by the secretary of state for use in an election day vote center.
  (c) Issue a ballot to the elector who shall mark the ballot and deposit the ballot in the tabulator.
  (4) A city or township clerk shall configure an election day vote center with at least 1 tabulator and a corresponding poll book that lists the electors issued a ballot to be cast on that tabulator. The collected voter registration receipts under subsection (3) serve as 1 of the required poll lists, and the list of electors issued a ballot in the poll book serves as the second required poll list.
  (5) The county clerk shall program the tabulators to be used in an election day vote center so that the results will be included in the unofficial and official election accumulation reports that are part of the election day precinct results. The number of tabulators and poll books must conform to the manner in which the county clerk programs tabulators for use in an election day vote center.
  (6) An elector who is in line at a city or township clerk's office, including a satellite office of that city or township clerk, by 8 p.m. on election day to register to vote or update a voter registration must be allowed to complete the voter registration transaction and be allowed to cast a ballot immediately after that transaction at that city or township election day vote center. The election inspectors at an election day vote center must allow an elector who was issued a voter registration receipt at the city or township clerk's office on election day and who is in line at that election day vote center by 8 p.m. on election day to cast a ballot, including after 11:59 p.m. on election day if necessary.
  (7) The election inspectors at an election day vote center must follow the same process required at an election day polling place after the last elector in line casts a ballot.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.524 Repealed. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: This repealed section pertained to a report by the local clerks to the county clerks on the number of eligible voters.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.530 Repealed. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to review of voter registration system by advisory committee.
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXIV
PRIMARY ELECTIONS


168.531 Primary elections; nomination of candidates by direct vote.

Sec. 531.

   Whenever any primary election shall be held in this state or in any city, county or district in this state, the nomination of candidates shall be made by direct vote of the qualified and registered electors of each political party participating therein as hereinafter prescribed.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.532 Nomination by caucus or convention where principal candidate receives less than 5% of vote cast for candidates for secretary of state.

Sec. 532.

   A political party whose principal candidate received less than 5% of the total vote cast for all candidates for the office of secretary of state in the last preceding state election, either in the state or in any political subdivision affected, shall not make its nominations by the direct primary method. The nomination of all candidates of such parties shall be made by means of caucuses or conventions which shall be held and the names of the party's nominations filed at the time and manner provided in section 686a of this act. The term "principal candidate" of any party shall be construed to mean the candidate whose name shall appear nearest the top of the party column.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 28, Imd. Eff. June 14, 1973
Popular Name: Election Code





168.533 Applicability of act.

Sec. 533.

   The provisions of this act relative to the conduct of elections shall be applicable as near as may be in all particulars to all regular and special primary elections except as the contrary is indicated.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.534 General primary; time; party candidates; condition to nomination.

Sec. 534.

  A general primary of all political parties except as provided in sections 532 and 685 must be held in every election precinct in this state on the Tuesday after the first Monday in August before every general November election, at which time the qualified and registered voters of each political party may vote for party candidates for the office of governor, United States Senator, Representative in Congress, state senator, representative in the legislature, county executive, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, county clerk, county treasurer, register of deeds, drain commissioner, public works commissioner, county road commissioner, county mine inspector, surveyor, and candidates for office in townships. A nomination for an office must be made only if the official is to be elected at the next succeeding general November election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 57, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 260, Imd. Eff. Aug. 12, 1976 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 224, Eff. Sept. 24, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.535 General primary; nomination of nonpartisan candidates.

Sec. 535.

   A general primary shall be held in every election precinct in this state on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August preceding every general November election, at which time the qualified and registered voters may vote for nonpartisan candidates for the office of judge of the court of appeals, judge of the circuit court, judge of probate and for circuit court commissioner in the years in which such officers are to be elected.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 57, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.536, 168.537 Repealed. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 57, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections provided for nomination in primary elections for certain local government offices.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.538 Primary election; notice; posting; publication.

Sec. 538.

   Primary election notices shall be published and posted as provided in section 653a.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005
Popular Name: Election Code





168.539 City and county primary elections; not held when no opposition; certification of candidates; notice to city and township clerks, public notice.

Sec. 539.

   If, upon the expiration of the time for filing petitions in any primary for city or county, it appears that there is no opposition to any candidate for any office upon any ticket, then the city or county clerk, as the case may be, shall certify to the board of election commissioners the names of all persons whose petitions have been properly filed and the office for which such petitions were filed, and such persons shall be declared by such board of election commissioners nominees for the respective offices, and such county clerk shall forthwith notify the several clerks of the townships and cities interested, if any, and give notice that the primary will not be held as contemplated, giving the reasons therefor, and a public notice shall be given of such determination by a brief notice published by such clerk in a newspaper circulated in such county.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.540 Nonpartisan primary elections; when not held; certification of candidates.

Sec. 540.

   If, upon the expiration of the time for filing petitions for any nonpartisan primary election, it shall appear that as to any office on any nonpartisan ticket there are not to exceed twice the number of candidates as there are persons to be elected, then the officer with whom such petitions are filed shall certify to the proper board of election commissioners the names of such candidates whose petitions have been properly filed and such candidates shall be the nominees for such offices and shall be so certified. As to such offices, there shall be no primary election and such offices shall be omitted from the primary ballot.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.541 District primary elections; not held when no opposition; certification of candidates; notice to city and township clerks.

Sec. 541.

   If upon the expiration of the time for filing petitions in any primary, the secretary of state shall find within a given district that there is no opposition for any office upon any ticket, he shall forthwith give notice to the clerk of the several counties embraced, at the same time certifying the names of the candidates and the office to which they aspire to the state board of canvassers, who shall declare them the nominees for the respective offices, and shall give notice to the clerk of the several counties embraced in such district, and if the clerk shall find that there is no opposition for any office upon any ticket for a county office, then it shall be the duty of such clerk to forthwith give notice to the several city and township clerks interested that a primary will not be held as contemplated, but in no event shall a primary election be abandoned in any township, city, county or district wherein there shall be opposition for any office upon any ticket.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code



PREPARATION AND FILING OF NOMINATING PETITIONS; FEES


168.542 Nominating petitions; provisions governing.

Sec. 542.

   The printing of the name of any person as a candidate for nomination by any political party for any office except a city or village under the particular party heading upon the official ballots for any primary election held in this state shall be obtained by following the provisions as set forth in the chapters of this act relative to the respective offices.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.543, 168.544 Repealed. 1965, Act 312, Eff. Jan. 1, 1966.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections prescribed requirements for primary election nominating petitions.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.544a Nonpartisan nominating petitions; size, form, contents.

Sec. 544a.

   The form, size and contents of all nonpartisan nominating petitions shall be the same as is provided in section 544c for partisan nominating petitions, except that under the heading "nominating petition" shall be printed in 12-point type the word "nonpartisan". The petition shall contain no reference to any political party.


History: Add. 1960, Act 23, Eff. Aug. 17, 1960 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 312, Eff. Jan. 1, 1966
Popular Name: Election Code





168.544b Candidates for judicial office; affidavit of qualifications to be filed with nominating petitions.

Sec. 544b.

  (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person shall not qualify as a candidate for any judicial office of this state unless the person files an affidavit with his or her nominating petitions on a form prescribed by the secretary of state stating that he or she possesses the constitutional qualifications set forth in section 19 of article VI of the state constitution.
  (2) In cases where candidates for judicial office are nominated at political party conventions, the chairperson and secretary of the party shall file the affidavit with the secretary of state not more than 1 business day after the conclusion of the convention.


History: Add. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 57, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999
Popular Name: Election Code





168.544c Nominating petition; type size; form; contents; circulation and signing; validity of elector's signature; agreement of circulator to accept jurisdiction; service with legal process; violations; misdemeanor; felony; sanctions; refusal of individual to comply with subpoena; applicability of section to all sections.

Sec. 544c.

  (1) A nominating petition must be 8-1/2 inches by 14 inches in size. On a nominating petition, the words "nominating petition" must be printed in 24-point boldface type. "We, the undersigned," et cetera must be printed in 8-point type. "Warning" and language in the warning must be printed in 12-point boldface type. The balance of the petition must be printed in 8-point type. The name, address, and party affiliation of the candidate and the office for which petitions are signed must be printed in type not larger than 24-point. The petition must be in the following form:
NOMINATING PETITION
(PARTISAN)
We, the undersigned, registered and qualified voters
of the city or township of .................. , in the county
(strike 1)
of ................... and state of Michigan, nominate,
.............................................................. ,
(Name of Candidate)
.............................................................. ,
(Street Address or Rural Route) (City or Township)
as a candidate of the ................... party for the office of .......................... ,
.............................................................. ,
(District, if any)
to be voted for at the primary election to be held on the ............ day of ............. , 20 ........ .
WARNING
A person who knowingly signs more petitions for the same office than there are persons to be elected to the office, signs a petition more than once, or signs a name other than his or her own is violating the provisions of the Michigan election law.
Printed Street Address
Name and or Date of Signing
Signature Rural Route Zip Code Mo. Day Year
1. _______________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________________
numbered lines as above
CERTIFICATE OF CIRCULATOR
The undersigned circulator of the above petition asserts that he or she is 18 years of age or older and a United States citizen; that each signature on the petition was signed in his or her presence; that he or she has neither caused nor permitted a person to sign the petition more than once and has no knowledge of a person signing the petition more than once; and that, to his or her best knowledge and belief, each signature is the genuine signature of the person purporting to sign the petition, the person signing the petition was at the time of signing a registered elector of the city or township listed in the heading of the petition, and the elector was qualified to sign the petition.
  Circulator—Do not sign or date certificate until after circulating petition.
  ____ If the circulator is not a resident of Michigan, the circulator shall make a cross or check mark on the line provided, otherwise each signature on this petition sheet is invalid and the signatures will not be counted by a filing official. By making a cross or check mark on the line provided, the undersigned circulator asserts that he or she is not a resident of Michigan and agrees to accept the jurisdiction of this state for the purpose of any legal proceeding or hearing that concerns a petition sheet executed by the circulator and agrees that legal process served on the secretary of state or a designated agent of the secretary of state has the same effect as if personally served on the circulator.
________________________________________________
(Printed Name and Signature of Circulator) (Date)
________________________________________________
(Complete Residence Address (Street and Number or Rural
Route)) Do not enter a post office box
________________________________________________
(City or Township, State, Zip Code)
________________________________________________
(County of Registration, if Registered to Vote, of a
Circulator who is not a Resident of Michigan)
Warning-A circulator knowingly making a false statement in the above certificate, a person not a circulator who signs as a circulator, or a person who signs a name other than his or her own as circulator is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (2) The petition must be in a form providing a space for the circulator and each elector who signs the petition to print his or her name. The secretary of state shall prescribe the location of the space for the printed name. The failure of the circulator or an elector who signs the petition to print his or her name, to print his or her name in the location prescribed by the secretary of state, or to enter a zip code or his or her correct zip code does not affect the validity of the signature of the circulator or the elector who signs the petition. A printed name located in the space prescribed for printed names does not constitute the signature of the circulator or elector. If an elector does not include his or her signature, his or her street address or rural route, or the date of signing on the petition as required under subsection (1), the elector's signature is invalid and must not be counted by a filing official.
  (3) If the circulator of a petition under section 482, a qualifying petition for an office named in section 590b(4), or a petition to form a new political party under section 685 is not a resident of this state, the circulator shall indicate where provided on the certificate of circulator that he or she agrees to accept the jurisdiction of this state for the purpose of any legal proceeding or hearing initiated under section 476, 552, 590f(2), or 685 that concerns a petition sheet executed by the circulator and agrees that legal process served on the secretary of state or a designated agent of the secretary of state has the same effect as if personally served on the circulator.
  (4) If the secretary of state or a designated agent of the secretary of state is served with legal process as described in subsection (3), the secretary of state shall promptly notify the circulator by personal service or certified mail at the circulator's residential address as indicated in the certificate of circulator.
  (5) The circulator of a petition shall sign and date the certificate of circulator before the petition is filed. A circulator shall not obtain electors' signatures after the circulator has signed and dated the certificate of circulator. A filing official shall not count electors' signatures that were obtained after the date the circulator signed the certificate or that are contained in a petition that the circulator did not sign and date.
  (6) Except as provided in section 544d, a petition sheet must not be circulated in more than 1 city or township and each signer of a petition sheet must be a registered elector of the city or township indicated in the heading of the petition sheet. The invalidity of 1 or more signatures on a petition does not affect the validity of the remainder of the signatures on the petition.
  (7) An individual shall not sign more nominating petitions for the same office than there are persons to be elected to the office. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (8) An individual shall not do any of the following:
  (a) Sign a petition with a name other than his or her own.
  (b) Make a false statement in a certificate on a petition.
  (c) If not a circulator, sign a petition as a circulator.
  (d) Sign a name as circulator other than his or her own.
  (9) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (10), an individual who violates subsection (8) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 93 days, or both.
  (10) An individual shall not sign a petition with multiple names. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony.
  (11) If after a canvass and a hearing on a petition under section 476 or 552 the board of state canvassers determines that an individual has knowingly and intentionally failed to comply with subsection (8) or (10), the board of state canvassers may impose 1 or more of the following sanctions:
  (a) Disqualify obviously fraudulent signatures on a petition form on which the violation of subsection (8) or (10) occurred, without checking the signatures against local registration records.
  (b) Disqualify from the ballot a candidate who committed, aided or abetted, or knowingly allowed the violation of subsection (8) or (10) on a petition to nominate that candidate.
  (12) If an individual violates subsection (8) or (10) and the affected petition sheet is filed, each of the following who knew of the violation of subsection (8) or (10) before the filing of the affected petition sheet and who failed to report the violation to the secretary of state, the filing official, if different, the attorney general, a law enforcement officer, or the county prosecuting attorney is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both:
  (a) The circulator of the petition, if different than the individual who violated subsection (8) or (10).
  (b) If the petition is a nominating petition, the candidate whose nomination is sought.
  (c) If the petition is a petition for a ballot question or recall, the organization or other person sponsoring the petition drive.
  (13) If after a canvass and a hearing on a petition under section 476 or 552 the board of state canvassers determines that an individual has violated subsection (12), the board of state canvassers may impose 1 or more of the following sanctions:
  (a) Impose on the organization or other person sponsoring the petition drive an administrative fine of not more than $5,000.00.
  (b) Charge the organization or other person sponsoring the petition drive for the costs of canvassing a petition form on which a violation of subsection (8) or (10) occurred.
  (c) Disqualify an organization or other person described in subdivision (a) from collecting signatures on a petition for a period of not more than 4 years.
  (d) Disqualify obviously fraudulent signatures on a petition form on which a violation of subsection (8) or (10) occurred without checking the signatures against local registration records.
  (e) Disqualify from the ballot a candidate who committed, aided or abetted, or knowingly allowed a violation of subsection (8) or (10) on a petition to nominate that candidate.
  (14) If an individual refuses to comply with a subpoena of the board of state canvassers in an investigation of an alleged violation of subsection (8), (10), or (12), the board may hold the canvass of the petitions in abeyance until the individual complies.
  (15) A person who aids or abets another in an act that is prohibited by this section is guilty of that act.
  (16) The provisions of this section except as otherwise expressly provided apply to all petitions circulated under authority of the election law.
  


History: Add. 1965, Act 312, Eff. Jan. 1, 1966 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 22, Imd. Eff. Feb. 19, 1972 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 408, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 142, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1989 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 329, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1990 ;-- Am. 1993, Act 137, Eff. Jan. 1, 1994 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 219, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 431, Imd. Eff. June 6, 2002 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 418, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2014 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 650, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.544d Nominating petitions for offices and purposes; circulation; form; identification of city or township; certificate of circulator; other form not prohibited.

Sec. 544d.

  Nominating petitions for the offices under this act and petitions for a local proposal may be circulated on a countywide form. Petitions circulated countywide must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, which form must be substantially as provided in sections 482, 544a, or 544c, whichever is applicable. The secretary of state may provide for a petition form larger than 8-1/2 inches by 13 inches and shall provide for identification of the city or township in which the person signing the petition is registered. The certificate of the circulator may be on the reverse side of the petition. This section does not prohibit the circulation of petitions on another form prescribed by this act.


History: Add. 1975, Act 327, Imd. Eff. Jan. 12, 1976 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 114, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 608, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides: “If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.544e Canvassing petitions; number designations for months.

Sec. 544e.

   When canvassing petitions filed pursuant to this act, the official canvassing the petitions shall accept number designations for the months of the year in lieu of the names of the months.


History: Add. 1975, Act 327, Imd. Eff. Jan. 12, 1976
Popular Name: Election Code





168.544f Number of signatures required.

Sec. 544f.

  The number of signatures of qualified and registered electors necessary for nominating petitions under this act, based upon the population of the district involved according to the most recent federal census, is as follows:
Partisan Petition Non Partisan Petition Qualifying Petition
Population Min Max Min Max Min Max
0 - 9,999 3 10 6 20 9 30
10,000 - 24,999 20 50 40 100 60 150
25,000 - 49,999 50 100 100 200 150 300
50,000 - 74,999 100 200 200 400 300 600
75,000 - 99,999 200 400 400 800 600 1,200
100,000 - 199,999 300 500 600 1,000 900 1,500
200,000 - 499,999 500 1,000 1,000 2,000 1,500 3,000
500,000 - 999,999 1,000 2,000 2,000 4,000 3,000 6,000
1,000,000 - 1,999,999 2,000 4,000 4,000 8,000 6,000 12,000
2,000,000 - 4,999,999 4,000 8,000 6,200 12,000 12,000 24,000
Over 5 million (statewide) 15,000 30,000 30,000 60,000 30,000 60,000
  


History: Add. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000
Popular Name: Election Code





168.545 Nominating petitions; combination of two offices.

Sec. 545.

   In those instances in which the duties of 2 offices are combined, all nominating petitions shall include and name the 2 offices.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.546 Nominating petitions; supply by county and city clerks; printing by candidate.

Sec. 546.

   The various county clerks and city clerks shall prepare and keep on hand blank forms of nominating petitions for use of the electors and candidates in said city or county. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prohibit any candidate from having his own nominating petitions printed, but they must comply substantially with the above form.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.547 Repealed. 1965, Act 312, Eff. Jan. 1, 1966.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section made it unlawful for voter to sign more than one nominating petition for the same office.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.547a Nominating petitions; signatures by voters, number, counting.

Sec. 547a.

   If a qualified and registered voter signs nominating petitions for a greater number of candidates for public office than the number of persons to be elected thereto, his signatures, if they bear the same date, shall not be counted upon any petition, and if they bear different dates shall be counted in the order of their priority of date for only so many candidates as there are persons to be elected.


History: Add. 1959, Act 44, Eff. Mar. 19, 1960
Popular Name: Election Code





168.548 Nominating petitions; maximum number of signatures.

Sec. 548.

   It shall be unlawful for any candidate to wilfully and intentionally procure more names upon nominating petitions than the maximum number prescribed in this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.549 Nominating petitions; excess signatures, counting.

Sec. 549.

   If any nominating petitions contain more than the necessary percentage of names, the excess over 1% shall neither be considered nor counted.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.550 Candidates for nomination; qualification upon compliance with act.

Sec. 550.

   No candidate shall have his name printed upon any official primary election ballot of any political party in any voting precinct in this state unless he shall have filed nominating petitions according to the provisions of this act, and all other requirements of this act have been complied within his behalf, except in those counties qualifying candidates upon the payment of fees.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.551 Nominating petitions or filing fees; filing period.

Sec. 551.

  Until December 31, 2013, the secretary of state and the various county, township, and city clerks shall receive nominating petitions or filing fees filed under this act up to 4 p.m., eastern standard time, of the twelfth Tuesday before the August primary. Beginning January 1, 2014, the secretary of state and the various county, township, and city clerks shall receive nominating petitions or filing fees filed under this act up to 4 p.m., eastern standard time, of the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary. The provisions of this section do not apply to a city that does not nominate its officers under the provisions of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 57, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.551a Repealed. 1956, Act 37, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 1956.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for contents and filing of nominating petitions at any nonpartisan judicial primary.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.552 Nominating petitions; certification by county or city clerk; sworn complaint; investigation to determine validity of signatures and genuineness of petition; examination of petitions; declaration of sufficiency or insufficiency of petitions; review; filing of nominating petitions with secretary of state; notification; canvass of petitions; hearing; subpoenas; oaths; adjournment; completion of canvass; availability to public; declaration; request for notice of approval or rejection of petition; judicial review; use of qualified voter file; certification to boards of election commissioners.

Sec. 552.

  (1) The county or city clerk, after the last day specified in this act for receiving and filing nominating petitions, shall immediately certify to the proper board or boards of election commissioners in the city, county, district, or state the name and post office address of each party candidate whose petitions meet the requirements of this act, together with the name of the political party and the office for which he or she is a candidate.
  (2) If the county clerk receives a sworn complaint, in writing, questioning the registration or genuineness of the signature of the circulator or of a person signing a petition filed with the county clerk for an office, the county clerk shall commence an investigation. The county clerk shall cause the petition that he or she considers necessary to be forwarded to the proper city clerk or township clerk to compare the signatures appearing on the petition with the signatures appearing on the registration record as required by subsection (13). The county clerk may conduct the signature comparisons as required by subsection (13) using the digitized signatures in the qualified voter file, in lieu of requesting the local clerk to conduct the signature comparison. If the request has been made by the county clerk, the city clerk or township clerk shall complete the investigation and report his or her findings to the county clerk within 7 days after the request. The investigation shall include the validity of the signatures and the genuineness of a petition as is specified in the sworn complaint and may include any other doubtful signatures or petitions filed on behalf of the candidate against whose petitions the sworn complaint is directed, as the county clerk considers necessary. The county clerk is not required to act on a complaint respecting the validity and genuineness of signatures on a petition unless the complaint sets forth the specific signatures claimed to be invalid and the specific petition for which the complaint questions the validity and genuineness of the signature or registration of the circulator, and unless the complaint is received by the county clerk within 7 days after the deadline for the filing of the nominating petitions.
  (3) In addition to the duty specified in subsection (2) for the examination of petitions, the county clerk, on his or her own initiative, on receipt of the nominating petitions, may examine the petitions, and if after examination the county clerk is in doubt as to the validity of the registration or genuineness of the signature of the circulator or persons signing or purported to have signed the petitions, the county clerk shall commence an investigation. Subject to subsection (13), the county clerk shall cause the petitions in question to be forwarded to the proper city clerk or township clerk to compare the signatures appearing on the petitions with the signatures appearing on the registration records. The county clerk may conduct the signature comparisons as required by subsection (13) using the digitized signatures in the qualified voter file, in lieu of requesting the local clerk to conduct the signature comparison.
  (4) The clerk of a political subdivision shall cooperate fully with the county clerk in a request made to the clerk by the county clerk in determining the validity of doubtful signatures by checking the signatures against registration records in an expeditious and proper manner.
  (5) At least 2 business days before the county clerk makes a final determination on challenges to and sufficiency of a petition, the county clerk shall make public its staff report concerning disposition of challenges filed against the petition. Beginning with the receipt of any document from local election officials under subsection (2) or (3), the county clerk shall make that document available to petitioners and challengers on a daily basis.
  (6) Upon the completion of the investigation or examination, the county clerk shall immediately make an official declaration of the sufficiency or insufficiency of nominating petitions for which a sworn complaint has been received or of the sufficiency or insufficiency of nominating petitions that the county clerk has examined or investigated on his or her own initiative. A person feeling aggrieved by a determination made by the county clerk may have the determination reviewed by the secretary of state by filing a written request with the secretary of state within 3 days after the official declaration of the county clerk, unless the third day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which case the request may be filed not later than 4 p.m. on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Alternatively, the aggrieved person may have the determination of the county clerk reviewed by filing a mandamus, certiorari, or other appropriate remedy in the circuit court. A person who filed a nominating petition and feels aggrieved by the determination of the secretary of state may then have that determination reviewed by mandamus, certiorari, or other appropriate remedy in the circuit court.
  (7) A city clerk with whom nominating petitions are filed may examine the petitions and investigate the validity and genuineness of signatures appearing on the petitions. Subject to subsection (13), the city clerk may check the signatures against registration records. The city clerk shall make a determination as to the sufficiency or insufficiency of the petitions upon the completion of the examination or investigation, and shall make an official declaration of the findings. A person feeling aggrieved by the determination has the same rights of review as in case of a determination by the county clerk.
  (8) Upon the filing of nominating petitions with the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall notify the board of state canvassers within 5 days after the last day for filing the petitions. The notification shall be by first-class mail. Upon the receipt of the nominating petitions, the board of state canvassers shall canvass the petitions to ascertain if the petitions have been signed by the requisite number of qualified and registered electors. Subject to subsection (13), for the purpose of determining the validity of the signatures, the board of state canvassers may cause a doubtful signature to be checked against the qualified voter file or the registration records by the clerk of a political subdivision in which the petitions were circulated. If the board of state canvassers receives a sworn complaint, in writing, questioning the registration of or the genuineness of the signature of the circulator or of a person signing a nominating petition filed with the secretary of state, the board of state canvassers shall commence an investigation. Subject to subsection (13), the board of state canvassers shall verify the registration or the genuineness of a signature as required by subsection (13). If the board is unable to verify the genuineness of a signature on a petition, the board shall cause the petition to be forwarded to the proper city clerk or township clerk to compare the signatures on the petition with the signatures on the registration record, or in some other manner determine whether the signatures on the petition are valid and genuine. The board of state canvassers is not required to act on a complaint respecting the validity and genuineness of signatures on a petition unless the complaint sets forth the specific signatures claimed to be invalid and the specific petition for which the complaint questions the validity and genuineness of the signature or the registration of the circulator, and unless the complaint is received by the board of state canvassers within 7 days after the deadline for filing the nominating petitions. After receiving a request from the board of state canvassers under this subsection, the clerk of a political subdivision shall cooperate fully in determining the validity of doubtful signatures by rechecking the signatures against registration records in an expeditious and proper manner. The board of state canvassers may extend the 7-day challenge period if it finds that the challenger did not receive a copy of each petition sheet that the challenger requested from the secretary of state. The extension of the challenge deadline under this subsection does not extend another deadline under this section.
  (9) The board of state canvassers may hold a hearing upon a complaint filed or for a purpose considered necessary by the board of state canvassers to conduct an investigation of the petitions. In conducting a hearing, the board of state canvassers may issue subpoenas and administer oaths. The board of state canvassers may also adjourn periodically awaiting receipt of returns from investigations that are being made or for other necessary purposes, but shall complete the canvass not less than 9 weeks before the primary election at which candidates are to be nominated. Before making a final determination, the board of state canvassers may consider any deficiency found on the face of the petition that does not require verification against data maintained in the qualified voter file or in the voter registration files maintained by a city or township clerk.
  (10) At least 2 business days before the board of state canvassers meets to make a final determination on challenges to and sufficiency of a petition, the board shall make public its staff report concerning disposition of challenges filed against the petition. Beginning with the receipt of any document from local election officials under subsection (8), the board of state canvassers shall make that document available to candidates and challengers on a daily basis.
  (11) An official declaration of the sufficiency or insufficiency of a nominating petition shall be made by the board of state canvassers not less than 60 days before the primary election at which candidates are to be nominated. At the time of filing a nominating petition with the secretary of state, the person filing the petition may request a notice of the approval or rejection of the petition. If a request is made at the time of filing the petition, the secretary of state, immediately upon the determination of approval or rejection, shall transmit by registered mail to the person making the request an official notice of the sufficiency or insufficiency of the petitions.
  (12) A person who filed a nominating petition with the secretary of state and who feels aggrieved by a determination made by the board of state canvassers may have the determination reviewed by mandamus, certiorari, or other appropriate process in the supreme court.
  (13) The qualified voter file may be used to determine the validity of petition signatures by verifying the registration of signers. If the qualified voter file indicates that, on the date the elector signed the petition, the elector was not registered to vote, there is a rebuttable presumption that the signature is invalid. If the qualified voter file indicates that, on the date the elector signed the petition, the elector was not registered to vote in the city or township designated on the petition, there is a rebuttable presumption that the signature is invalid. The qualified voter file shall be used to determine the genuineness of a signature on a petition. Signature comparisons shall be made with the digitized signatures in the qualified voter file. The county clerk or the board of state canvassers shall conduct the signature comparison using digitized signatures contained in the qualified voter file for their respective investigations. If the qualified voter file does not contain a digitized signature of an elector, the city or the township clerk shall compare the petition signature to the signature contained on the master card.
  (14) Not less than 60 days before the primary election at which candidates are to be nominated, the secretary of state shall certify to the proper boards of election commissioners in the various counties in the state, the name and post office address of each partisan or nonpartisan candidate whose petitions have been filed with the secretary of state and meet the requirements of this act, together with the name of the political party, if any, and the office for which he or she is a candidate.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 125, Imd. Eff. Apr. 13, 1956 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 25, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 1958 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 193, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 338, Imd. Eff. July 11, 1978 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 220, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 188, Imd. Eff. Oct. 31, 2003 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Eff. Jan. 1, 2007
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.552a Validity of petition or signature.

Sec. 552a.

  (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act to the contrary, a petition or a signature is not invalid solely because the designation of city or township has not been made on the petition form if a city and an adjoining township have the same name.
  (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act to the contrary, if a person who signs a petition uses his or her mailing address on the petition and that mailing address incorporates the political jurisdiction in which the person is registered to vote, that signature shall be counted if the signature is otherwise determined to be genuine and valid under this act.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.553 Nominating petitions; insufficiency, notice to candidate.

Sec. 553.

   In case it is determined that the nominating petitions of any candidate do not comply with the requirements of this act, or if for any other cause such candidate is not entitled to have his name printed upon the official primary ballots, it shall be the duty of the secretary of state or county or city clerk to immediately notify such candidate of such fact, together with a statement of the reasons why his name was not certified to the respective boards of election commissioners.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.554 List of candidates; posting.

Sec. 554.

   The secretary of state or county or city clerk shall forthwith prepare and publicly expose in his office a list of the candidates who have filed nominating petitions or filing fees in his office, as near as may be, as they will appear upon the official primary election ballots.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.554a Repealed. 1971, Act 5, Eff. Mar. 30, 1972.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to time for filing candidate's filing fee.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.555 Nominating petitions and filing fees; public record, contents; public inspection.

Sec. 555.

   The various officers named herein shall keep a public record of the nominating petitions and filing fees filed in a book for that purpose, which record shall indicate the names of the candidates, the offices sought, and the dates when such nominating petitions or filing fees were filed. All such nominating petitions shall be open to public inspection and subject to examination after being filed in the office of the secretary of state, county clerk or city clerk, in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by such officers.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.556 Nominating petitions; final disposition, record.

Sec. 556.

   All nominating petitions filed under the provisions of this act shall be preserved by the secretary of state, county, city, village or township clerk, as the case may be, until the first day of January following the primary election for which the same were filed. At the expiration of that period, the secretary of state, county, city, village or township clerk may destroy all nominating petitions, the return of which has not been requested. In the record of nominating petitions, the various officers keeping such record shall cause entries to be made, stating the final disposition of each candidate's petition.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.557 Repealed. 2002, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Apr. 9, 2002.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to requirements for nominating petitions.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.558 Filing nominating petition, qualifying petition, filing fee, or affidavit of candidacy; affidavit of identity; requirement to indicate name change; exception; statement; noncompliance; selection of office to which candidacy restricted; failure to make selection; perjury separate violation.

Sec. 558.

  (1) When filing a nominating petition, qualifying petition, filing fee, or affidavit of candidacy for a federal, county, state, city, township, village, metropolitan district, or school district office in any election, a candidate shall file with the officer with whom the petitions, fee, or affidavit is filed 2 copies of an affidavit of identity. A candidate nominated for a federal, state, county, city, township, or village office at a political party convention or caucus shall file an affidavit of identity within 1 business day after being nominated with the secretary of state. The affidavit of identity filing requirement does not apply to a candidate nominated for the office of President of the United States or Vice President of the United States.
  (2) An affidavit of identity must contain the candidate's name and residential address; a statement that the candidate is a citizen of the United States; the title of the office sought including the jurisdiction, district, circuit, or ward; the candidate's political party or a statement indicating no party affiliation if the candidate is running without political party affiliation; the term of office; the date of the election in which the candidate wishes to appear on the ballot; a statement that the candidate meets the constitutional and statutory qualifications for the office sought; other information that may be required to satisfy the officer as to the identity of the candidate; and the manner in which the candidate wishes to have his or her name appear on the ballot. If a candidate is using a name that is not a name that he or she was given at birth, the candidate shall include on the affidavit of identity the candidate's full former name. If the affidavit of identity is for a candidate for precinct delegate, the candidate shall include his or her precinct number on the affidavit of identity. If the affidavit of identity is for a judicial candidate, the candidate shall include on the affidavit of identity whether the office sought is an incumbent position, a nonincumbent position, or a new judgeship.
  (3) The requirement to indicate a name change on the affidavit of identity does not apply if the name in question is 1 of the following:
  (a) A name that was formally changed at least 10 years before filing as a candidate.
  (b) A name that was changed in a certificate of naturalization issued by a federal district court at the time the individual became a naturalized citizen at least 10 years before filing as a candidate.
  (c) A name that was changed because of marriage.
  (d) A name that was changed because of divorce, but only if to a legal name by which the individual was previously known.
  (e) A name that constitutes a common law name as provided in section 560b.
  (4) An affidavit of identity must include a signed and notarized statement that as of the date of the affidavit, all statements, reports, late filing fees, and fines required of the candidate or any candidate committee organized to support the candidate's election under the Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.201 to 169.282, have been filed or paid; and a statement that the candidate acknowledges that making a false statement in the affidavit is perjury, punishable by a fine up to $1,000.00 or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both. If a candidate files the affidavit of identity with an officer other than the county clerk or secretary of state, the officer shall immediately forward to the county clerk 1 copy of the affidavit of identity by first-class mail, facsimile, or electronic transmission. The county clerk shall immediately forward 1 copy of the affidavit of identity for state and federal candidates to the secretary of state by first-class mail, facsimile, or electronic transmission. An officer shall not certify to the board of election commissioners the name of a candidate who fails to comply with this section, or the name of a candidate who executes an affidavit of identity that contains a false statement with regard to any information or statement required under this section.
  (5) If petitions or filing fees are filed by or on behalf of a candidate for more than 1 office, either federal, state, county, city, village, township, metropolitan district, or school district, the terms of which run concurrently or overlap, the candidate so filing, or on behalf of whom petitions or fees were so filed, shall select the 1 office to which his or her candidacy is restricted within 3 days after the last day for the filing of petitions or filing fees unless the petitions or filing fees are filed for 2 offices that are combined or for offices that are not incompatible. Failure to make the selection disqualifies a candidate with respect to each office for which petitions or fees were so filed and the name of the candidate must not be printed upon the ballot for those offices. A vote cast for that candidate at the ensuing primary or general election must not be counted and is void.
  (6) A violation of this section for perjury is distinct and separate from any violation of the Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.201 to 169.282.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 190, Imd. Eff. May 20, 1964 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 394, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1984 ;-- Am. 1992, Act 264, Eff. Jan. 1, 1993 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1997, Act 137, Imd. Eff. Nov. 17, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 217, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Apr. 9, 2002 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 650, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018 ;-- Am. 2021, Act 158, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 2021
Popular Name: Election Code



PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF BALLOTS


168.559 Official primary election ballots; preparation, distribution.

Sec. 559.

   It shall be the duty of the board of election commissioners of each county in this state to prepare and furnish the necessary official primary election ballots, except for city offices, which may be required for use by the electors of any political party at the August primary.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.560 Ballots; use; size.

Sec. 560.

  Ballots other than those furnished by the board of election commissioners, according to the provisions of this act, shall not be used, cast, or counted in any election precinct at any election. The size of all official ballots shall be as the board of election commissioners prescribes.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.560a General election ballot; listing political party and name; qualification.

Sec. 560a.

  A political party the principal candidate of which received at the last preceding general election a vote equal to or more than 1% of the total number of votes cast for the successful candidate for secretary of state at the last preceding election in which a secretary of state was elected is qualified to have its name and candidates listed on the next general election ballot.


History: Add. 1976, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 22, 1976 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 113, Eff. Oct. 25, 2017
Constitutionality: The Michigan supreme court, in Socialist Workers Party v Secretary of State, 412 Mich 571; 317 NW2d 1 (1982), held that 1976 PA 94, which added this section, violates Const 1963, art 1, § 2 and art 2, § 4, and the first and fourteenth amendments to the United States Constitution.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.560b Name appearing on ballot; change; appearance of given and middle name; nickname; common law name; married name; violation.

Sec. 560b.

  (1) A candidate required to indicate a name change on the affidavit of identity under section 558 shall be listed on the ballot with his or her current name and former name as prescribed by the secretary of state.
  (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), both a candidate's given name and surname that he or she was given at birth, and only those names, shall appear on the ballot, except under 1 of the following circumstances:
  (a) The name in question, whether a given name, a surname, or otherwise, is a name that was formally changed.
  (b) The candidate is subject to subsection (1).
  (c) The name in question, whether a given name, a surname, or otherwise, is 1 of the following:
  (i) A name that was changed in a certificate of naturalization issued by a federal district court at the time the individual became a naturalized citizen at least 10 years before filing as a candidate.
  (ii) A name that was changed because of marriage.
  (iii) A name that was changed because of divorce, but only if to a legal name by which the individual was previously known.
  (3) A candidate may specify that both his or her given name and middle name, or only a middle name, shall appear on the ballot. A candidate may specify that either an initial or a recognized diminutive for the candidate's given or middle name, or for both, shall appear on the ballot. In addition, a candidate may specify that a common law name used in accordance with Michigan department of state guidelines for use of a common law name on a driver license or state personal identification card shall appear on that ballot.
  (4) A candidate is prohibited from specifying that a nickname that is not a recognized diminutive of the candidate's common law name, given name, or middle name appear on the ballot. A married individual is prohibited from specifying that his or her spouse's given name, or an alternative for that given name otherwise permitted under subsection (3), appear on the ballot.
  (5) A ballot that would violate this section shall not be produced, printed, or distributed.


History: Add. 2002, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Apr. 9, 2002 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.560b, which pertained to primary election ballot and rights of voters, was repealed by Act 116 of 1988, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.561 Official primary election ballots; offices for which name of candidate to be included; filing request for clarifying designation of same or similar surnames; notice of determination; appeal; printing occupation, date of birth, or residence of candidate; incumbency designation; guidelines.

Sec. 561.

  (1) The ballots prepared by the board of election commissioners in each county for use by the electors of a political party at a primary election shall include the name of each candidate of the political party for the office of governor, United States senator, and district offices; for the county, the name of each candidate of the political party for county offices; and for each township, the name of each candidate of the political party for township offices.
  (2) If, in a district that is a county or entirely within 1 county, 2 or more candidates, including candidates for nonpartisan offices, for the same office have the same or similar surnames, a candidate may file a written request with the board of county election commissioners for a clarifying designation. The request shall be filed not later than 3 days after the last date for filing nominating petitions. Not later than 3 days after the filing of the request, the board of county election commissioners shall determine whether a similarity exists and whether a clarifying designation should be granted. In a district located in more than 1 county, the board of state canvassers shall make a determination whether to grant a clarifying designation upon the written request of a candidate who files nominating petitions with the secretary of state. The request shall be filed with the state board of canvassers not later than 5 days after the last date for filing nominating petitions. The board of state canvassers shall make its determination at the same time it makes a declaration of the sufficiency or insufficiency of nominating petitions in compliance with section 552.
  (3) In each instance, the determining board shall immediately notify each candidate for the same office as the requester that a request for a clarifying designation has been made and of the date, time, and place of the hearing. The requester and each candidate for the same office shall be notified of the board's determination by first-class mail sent within 24 hours after the final date for the determination. A candidate who is dissatisfied with the determination of the board of county election commissioners may file an appeal in the circuit court of the county where the board is located. A candidate who is dissatisfied with the determination of the board of state canvassers may file an appeal in the Ingham county circuit court. The appeal shall be filed within 14 days after the final date for determination by the board. The court shall hear the matter de novo. Except as provided in subsection (4), in the case of the same surname or of a final determination by the board or by the court before the latest date that the board can arrange the ballot printing of the existence of similarity, the board shall print the occupation, date of birth, or residence of each of the candidates on the ballot or ballot labels under their respective names. The term "occupation" includes a currently held political office, even though it is not the candidate's principal occupation, but does not include reference to a previous position or occupation.
  (4) If there are 2 candidates with the same or similar surnames and 1 of the candidates is entitled to an incumbency designation by section 24 of article VI of the state constitution of 1963, no other designation shall be provided for the other candidate with the same or similar surname. If there are more than 2 candidates with the same or similar surname and 1 of the candidates is entitled to an incumbency designation by section 24 of article VI of the state constitution of 1963, a clarifying designation may be given to the other candidates with the same or similar surname. Except for an incumbency designation under section 24 of article VI of the state constitution of 1963, if 2 or more candidates with the same or similar surnames are related, the board shall only print the residence or date of birth of each of the candidates as a clarifying designation. As used in this subsection, "related" means that the candidates with the same or similar surnames are related within the third degree of consanguinity.
  (5) The board of state canvassers shall issue guidelines to ensure fairness and uniformity in the granting of designations and may issue guidelines relating to what constitutes the same or similar surnames. The board of state canvassers and the boards of county election commissioners shall follow the guidelines.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 328, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1966 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 36, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 260, Imd. Eff. Aug. 12, 1976 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Apr. 9, 2002
Popular Name: Election Code





168.561a Official ballots; designation of candidate with same given and surname as incumbent.

Sec. 561a.

   In any primary election whenever any candidate for public office has the same given and surname as the name of the person last elected to such office, when the person last elected is not seeking renomination, below the name of said candidate on the ballot shall appear the words "not the present ................." and in said space shall be printed the title of the office sought. The size of type used in any other designation on the ballot shall not be reduced in size from the size of type normally used.


History: Add. 1960, Act 88, Imd. Eff. Apr. 25, 1960
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001—AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:—Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.—Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.—Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.—Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.—Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.—Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.562 Official ballots; delegates to county convention.

Sec. 562.

   The said ballots shall also contain as many lines as there are delegates to be elected to the county convention by the particular political party. Such lines shall be printed under the title "Delegates to county convention", and no ballot for a delegate to a county convention of any political party shall be counted unless prepared and voted under authority of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.562a Repealed. 1983, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Oct. 25, 1983.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to delegate ballots.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.562b Election as delegate to state convention or national convention; signing affidavit; voting for presidential candidate; filing affidavit.

Sec. 562b.

  (1) Before an individual may be elected as a delegate to the state convention or national convention of a political party, that individual shall sign an affidavit including 1 of the following:
  (a) The name of a candidate for president of the United States of that individual's political party that he or she is bound to vote for at each stage of the nominating process until the end of the first ballot at the national convention of that political party unless otherwise released from that commitment under subsection (3). The requirements of this subdivision are met only if the designated presidential candidate's name appears on the presidential primary election ballot.
  (b) A statement that the individual is uncommitted regarding the candidates for president of the United States.
  (2) Except as provided in subsection (3), an individual elected as a delegate to the state convention or national convention of a political party is bound to vote at each stage of the presidential nomination process until the end of the first ballot at the national convention of that political party for the candidate for president of the United States that he or she designated a commitment to by written affidavit as required in subsection (1), if any, before his or her election.
  (3) A delegate to the state convention or national convention is bound to vote for the presidential candidate the delegate is committed to under subsection (2) unless the delegate is released from that commitment by written notice to the chairperson of the state central committee by the presidential candidate or the presidential candidate publicly withdraws from contention for that party's nomination.
  (4) An individual seeking election as a delegate to the state convention, or his or her designee, shall file the affidavit required under subsection (1) with the county chairperson or the chairperson of the district committee. The county chairperson or the chairperson of the district committee shall file a copy of that affidavit with the chairperson of the state central committee.
  (5) An individual who has not filed an affidavit under subsection (4) and who is seeking election as a delegate to the national convention, or his or her designee, shall file the affidavit required under subsection (1) with the chairperson of the state central committee.
  


History: Add. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988
Compiler's Notes: See Green Party of Michigan, et al v Terri Lynn Land, case no. 08-10149, March 26, 2008.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.563 Primary election ballots; number; weight and color of paper; printing and arrangement.

Sec. 563.

   The number of ballots to be printed for the use of the electors at any primary election in any election precinct shall be not less than 25% more than the total number of ballots cast therein at the corresponding primary election held 4 years previously. The ballot at any partisan primary election shall consist of 1 sheet of 70-pound white book paper, machine finished, or the equivalent. The elections commission may provide that 1 of the political party tickets shall be printed on each side thereof or that the party tickets shall appear on 1 side of the ballot only. If 3 or more parties are represented at a partisan primary, the ballots shall be arranged with a foldover extension or the election commission may provide that the parties shall appear on 1 side of the ballot only. If the ballots are printed on 1 side only the order of the parties on the ballot shall be the same as they will appear on the general election ballot. The parties shall be separated by a heavy black line. If ballots are printed on 2 sides or with a foldover extension the various party tickets shall be printed, as near as may be, in the manner herein before set forth and shall be rotated so that each party ticket will appear face up on alternate ballots. The election commission may provide for the printing of the ballots on colored paper as follows: State and county ballots, white paper; nonpartisan ballots, blue tinted paper; constitutional amendments and state propositions, red tinted paper; county propositions, green tinted paper; local propositions, buff paper; local candidates, white paper. If the election commission prints ballots on colored paper, all instruction ballots shall be printed on any color paper not used for official ballots.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 34, Imd. Eff. June 16, 1970 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 198, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1972
Popular Name: Election Code





168.564 Official ballots; failure of party to file required petitions, party ballot not printed.

Sec. 564.

   If in the case of any political party it shall appear that no person has filed the necessary number of nominating petitions, as required by this act, for nomination as a candidate of said party for any office, then no ballot for the use of said political party at the primary shall be printed.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.565 Filing, mailing, and correcting proof copies of ballots; affidavit.

Sec. 565.

  (1) Not less than 58 days before the primary election, proof copies of the ballots must be placed on file in the office of the county clerk. At the time of filing, the county clerk shall send by email 1 proof copy of the ballot to the secretary of state and shall send by first-class mail 1 proof copy of the ballot to each candidate whose name appears on the ballot to the candidate's address listed on his or her affidavit of identity. If a candidate provides an email address on his or her affidavit of identity, the county clerk may also send a proof copy of the ballot to the candidate by email.
  (2) If a candidate desires to correct an error on the ballot, the candidate shall contact the county clerk by telephone or email with the corrections. All corrections must be received by the county clerk no later than 4 p.m. on the fifth business day after the proof copy of the ballot is mailed to each candidate as provided in subsection (1). After 4 p.m. on the fifth business day after the county clerk mails the proof copy of the ballot to each candidate as provided in subsection (1), the county clerk is authorized to begin printing the ballots.
  (3) The county clerk shall prepare and sign an affidavit when sending proof ballots that attests to all of the following:
  (a) Proof ballots were mailed as required.
  (b) The names of the candidates who were mailed proof ballots.
  (c) Each address to which the proof ballots were mailed.
  (d) The date or dates proof ballots were mailed.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 113, Imd. Eff. May 29, 1984 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 94, Imd. Eff. June 14, 2022
Popular Name: Election Code





168.566 Official primary ballots; posting for public inspection.

Sec. 566.

   The official primary ballots shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the office of the county, city, village or township clerk, as the case may be, for public inspection at least 3 days prior to distribution for use at the primary election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.567 Official primary ballots; errors, correction by board of election commissioners.

Sec. 567.

   The boards of election commissioners shall correct such errors as may be found in said ballots, and a copy of such corrected ballots shall be sent to the secretary of state by the county clerk.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.568 Official primary election ballots; form; order and title of offices.

Sec. 568.

  (1) The official primary election ballots shall be prepared in a form prescribed by the secretary of state based upon the voting equipment being used in each county.
  (2) The order of the offices on the ballot shall be the same, as near as may be, as is required by law in making up the ballot used at general elections. The title of the office shall be immediately above the names of the candidate or candidates for the nomination of each office, and under the title the words "Vote for not more than," followed by the number "1" or "2" or such other identifier as will designate the number of candidates for the nomination to the office that may be voted for.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 160, Imd. Eff. Nov. 20, 1985 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.569 Official primary ballots; numbering; separation of columns.

Sec. 569.

   The ballots for each election district shall be numbered consecutively in the manner provided for the preparation of ballots for general election. Said ballot may be in 1 or more columns as may be determined by the board of election commissioners preparing the same. If 2 or more columns are used on the ballots, the columns shall be separated by a heavy black line.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.569a Rotation of names; manner; effect of using absent voter counting board; section applicable to nonpartisan general elections and municipal elections.

Sec. 569a.

  (1) In all primary elections, if there are more names under the heading of an office than there are candidates to be nominated and the same office appears in more than 1 precinct, the names shall be rotated in the following manner: In printing each set of ballots for the several election precincts, the relative positions of the different names printed in each division shall be changed as many times as there are candidates in that division and as reasonably as possible a candidate's name shall not appear at the top of the ballot more times than any other candidate's name in that division. The names shall first be arranged alphabetically according to surnames on each ballot used in the precinct. In the next precinct the names shall appear in the same order on each ballot, except that the name appearing first under each office in the preceding precinct shall be last. The names shall be changed in that manner in every precinct of the city, village, township, or county.
  (2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an absent voter counting board is a separate precinct for the purposes of this act. If a municipality has 250 or more precincts and absent voter counting boards are used, each ballot form which contains identical offices and names may be considered a separate precinct for the purposes of this section.
  (3) Notwithstanding provisions of law or charter to the contrary, this section applies to nonpartisan general elections and to municipal elections.


History: Add. 1985, Act 24, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1985 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 272, Imd. Eff. July 3, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.570 Paper ballots; numbering; identification; function of and requirements for detachable stub; distribution of ballots; form.

Sec. 570.

  Except for ballots used for early voting that are produced by an on-demand ballot printing system, paper ballots must be numbered consecutively and identified by use of the words "official primary ballot" on the upper right hand corner on the front of the ballot with a perforated line across the top of the ballot and underneath the number and identification so that the stub with the number and identification may be torn off. The detachable stub serves for the several party tickets and the ballot number must be printed on the stub on 1 side only. A political party designation must not appear on a ballot stub so numbered and identified. After the ballots are trimmed and wrapped in sealed packages, the ballots must be distributed for use at the primary election in the same manner as is provided by law for the distribution of ballots to be used at general elections. Ballots must be prepared in substantially the following form:
OFFICIAL PRIMARY BALLOT
No. ............
OFFICIAL PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT
Primary election to be held ...................... 20...... in the county of ................................................... .
...............party.
You cannot split your ticket. If you vote for candidates on more than 1 party ticket, your ballot will be rejected.
Make a cross or a check mark in the square to the left of not more than the number of names for each office as may be indicated under the title of each office.
______________________________________________________________
State. Legislative.
______________________________________________________________
Governor. State Senator.
.................District.
Vote for not more than one. Vote for not more than one.
______________________________________________________________
[ ] 1 John Doe [ ] 7 John Doe
______________________________________________________________
[ ] 2 Richard Roe [ ] 8 Richard Roe
______________________________________________________________
[ ] [ ]
______________________________________________________________
Congressional. Representative in State
____________________________ Legislature.
United States Senator..... ................. District.
Vote for not more than one. Vote for not more than one.
______________________________________________________________
[ ] 3 John Doe [ ] 9 John Doe
______________________________________________________________
[ ] 4 Richard Roe [ ] 10 Richard Roe
______________________________________________________________
[ ] [ ]
______________________________________________________________
Representative in Congress. County.
.................... District. Prosecuting Attorney.
Vote for not more than one. Vote for not more than one.
______________________________________________________________
[ ] 5 John Doe [ ] 11 John Doe
______________________________________________________________
[ ] 6 Richard Roe [ ] 12 Richard Roe
______________________________________________________________
[ ] [ ]
______________________________________________________________
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 108, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 46, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1968 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 24, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1985 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 160, Imd. Eff. Nov. 20, 1985 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 113, Eff. Oct. 25, 2017 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.570a Official primary ballot; candidates for township offices; party qualification.

Sec. 570a.

  The official primary ballot shall include candidates for township offices. Township offices and candidates shall follow state and county offices and candidates. Parties qualified to appear on the primary ballot for state and county offices and no others are qualified to appear and have the names of their candidates printed on the township portion of the primary ballot. Parties qualified to nominate candidates for state and county offices under section 685 and no others are qualified to nominate candidates for township offices at the county caucuses provided in section 686a.


History: Add. 1966, Act 58, Imd. Eff. June 7, 1966 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 98, Eff. Sept. 28, 2015
Popular Name: Election Code





168.571 Repealed. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 57, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided that provisions pertaining to primary election ballots should apply to February primary.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.572 Official primary ballots; provision for write-in votes.

Sec. 572.

   The ballots shall be prepared in such manner that the electors of each political party may write, print or paste the name of a candidate thereon.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.573 Official primary ballots; packaging, seal, certification.

Sec. 573.

   The ballots of each kind for each election precinct shall be wrapped and secured in 2 separate packages. Each package shall be securely sealed with a red paper seal furnished by the secretary of state and shall bear on its wrapper the name and number of the precinct and a certificate signed by the county clerk or some member of the board of county election commissioners, or his or its duly authorized agent, setting forth the number and kind of ballots in such package and that such ballots were counted, packaged and sealed by himself personally, or by his duly authorized agent.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code



CONDUCT OF PRIMARY ELECTIONS


168.574 Primary election; board of primary election inspectors, membership.

Sec. 574.

   Each primary election shall be presided over by a board of primary election inspectors, which board shall be composed of the members of the board of election inspectors as provided in section 674 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.575 Primary elections; furnishing ballots to electors.

Sec. 575.

   After the polls are opened at a primary election, any elector who is legally registered and qualified shall, before entering the booth or voting compartment, be furnished a party ballot, together with any other ballot or ballots to be voted at that primary election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.576 Marking ballot; voting for person not on ballot; effect of voting more than 1 party ticket; section subject to MCL 168.736a.

Sec. 576.

  (1) An elector, after having received a ballot or ballots, shall enter a booth or voting compartment and, while there concealed from view, shall vote the ballot or ballots by making a cross or a check mark in the square at the left of the names of those candidates for whom the elector desires to vote, but in no case for more candidates for any office than is indicated under the title of each office. However, an elector may vote for a person whose name is not printed on the ballot by inserting the name in a manner that will substitute it for any name that is printed on the ballot or where no candidate's name appears upon the ballot.
  (2) The elector shall indicate his or her choice of candidates on 1 party ticket only and, after marking the ballot, the elector shall fold it for deposit pursuant to the provisions of this act. A ballot on which more than 1 party ticket has been voted is void.
  (3) This section is subject to section 736a.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 160, Imd. Eff. Nov. 20, 1985 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 213, Imd. Eff. May 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.576a Primary elections; electors, number of votes.

Sec. 576a.

   In all partisan and nonpartisan primary elections, the voter shall be entitled to vote for a number of candidates for each office equal to the number of persons to be elected for that office.


History: Add. 1969, Act 275, Imd. Eff. Aug. 11, 1969
Popular Name: Election Code





168.577 Primary elections; electors, folding and delivery of ballots.

Sec. 577.

   The elector shall then fold the ballot so that the perforated corner bearing the number and identification shall be on the outside, and shall present it to the proper member of the board of inspectors, who shall tear off the corner bearing the number and shall deposit the ballot in the ballot box.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.578 Primary elections; poll list, comparison of ballot number.

Sec. 578.

   When a duly registered and qualified elector shall ask for a ballot as before provided, the inspector shall enter his name upon the poll list, and the number of the ballot given to the elector. The inspector receiving the ballot after the same has been voted shall, before depositing it in the box, ascertain by comparison with such list whether the ballot given to him is the same ballot furnished to the elector, and if it is not the same ballot, he shall reject it and the elector shall not be allowed to vote at such primary election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.579 Primary elections; electors; exposure of ballot; rejection; applicability of section under MCL 168.736a.

Sec. 579.

   If an elector, after marking his or her ballot, exposes it to any person in a manner likely to reveal the name of any candidate for whom the elector voted, the board of election inspectors shall reject the ballot and the elector shall forfeit the right to vote at the primary. A note of the occurrence shall be made upon the poll list opposite the name of the elector. This section does not apply to an elector who exposes his or her ballot to a minor child accompanying that elector in the booth or voting compartment under section 736a.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 213, Imd. Eff. May 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.580 Counting ballots; candidates considered to have received votes; rejection of ballot.

Sec. 580.

   In counting the ballots after the closing of the polls, only those candidates having crosses or check marks marked in the squares to the left of their names shall be considered to have received votes, and any ballot upon which more votes have been recorded for candidates for any office than may, by law, be elected to that office shall be rejected as to all names appearing on the ballot for that office only.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 160, Imd. Eff. Nov. 20, 1985
Popular Name: Election Code



CANVASSING OF PRIMARY RETURNS


168.581 Primary elections; canvass of returns and declaration of results.

Sec. 581.

  (1) The returns of a primary election must be canvassed and the results declared in the same manner and within the same time after the primary election and by the same officers as provided for general elections. For a primary election for the nomination of a candidate for the office of United States Senator, governor, or for the nomination of candidates for district offices in districts comprising more than 1 county, the county clerk of each county affected shall transmit to the secretary of state, within 14 days after the primary election, a certified statement of the number of votes received by each individual for nomination as a candidate of any political party for any of the offices.
  (2) The secretary of the board of state canvassers shall call a meeting of the board of state canvassers not later than 20 days after the primary election. The secretary of state shall immediately certify to the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee of each political party for the purpose of canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the primary election for the nomination of the candidates for those offices.
  (3) The board of state canvassers shall proceed in the same manner in canvassing the returns and in certifying, recording, and determining results of a primary election for the nomination of candidates for United States Senator and governor as is done in canvassing the returns in the case of the election of state officials.
  (4) In canvassing the returns of a primary election for the nomination of candidates for the offices of Representative in Congress, state senator, and representatives in the legislature, in districts composed of more than 1 county, the board of state canvassers shall proceed in the same manner as is done in canvassing the returns for the election of Representatives in Congress.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1959, Act 173, Eff. Mar. 19, 1960 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 57, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 269, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.582 Person voted for on party ballot whose name is not printed on ballot and who has not filed nominating petition; votes required for nomination.

Sec. 582.

   A person who is voted for on a party ballot for a state, district, township, county, city, or ward office or for the office of United States senator or representative in Congress whose name is not printed on the ballot and who has not filed a nominating petition for the office voted for, shall not be considered nominated as the candidate of the party for the office, nor be certified as a nominee unless the person receives a total vote equal to not less than .15 of 1% of the total population, as reflected by the last official federal census, of the district for which nomination is sought, but not less than 10 votes for the office, or a total vote equal to 5% of the greatest number of votes cast by the party for any office at the primary in the state, congressional, or other district, township, county, city, or ward, for a candidate or for all candidates for nomination for an office for which only 1 person is to be nominated, whichever is greater. However, for an office to which more than 1 candidate is to be elected, the 5% limitation shall be based upon the greatest number of votes cast at the primary for any candidate for the same office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 226, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 160, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1980
Popular Name: Election Code





168.583 Primary election day; service of civil process on electors prohibited.

Sec. 583.

   During the day on which any primary election shall be held, pursuant to the provisions of law, no civil process shall be served on any elector entitled to vote at such primary election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code



VOTING MACHINES AT PRIMARIES


168.584 Voting machines authorized in primaries.

Sec. 584.

   At all state, county, city, village and township primaries, ballots or votes may be cast, registered, recorded or counted by means of voting machines as hereinafter provided.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 386, Eff. Mar. 31, 1966 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 214, Imd. Eff. July 7, 1972
Popular Name: Election Code





168.585 Primary elections; use of voting machines; supplementary ballots.

Sec. 585.

   Any voting machine which is by law authorized to be used at a general election may, by the order of the board of supervisors of any county, the legislative body of any city, the township board of any township, or the village council of any village, be purchased and used therein at primary elections in like manner and to the same extent that such machines may be used at general elections, and in case there are more candidates than can have their names placed on any such machines so to be used, or in case such machine is so constructed that an elector cannot vote for candidates of more than 1 political party, then it shall be the duty of the proper election commission to designate what names shall be voted for on the machines, and to print the remaining names upon proper ballots in such manner as nearly as may be that the political party or parties polling the largest vote in such county for secretary of state at the last preceding election shall be placed upon the machine, and the candidates of smaller parties shall be placed upon ballots, but all the candidates of any party shall either be upon the machine or upon a ballot.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.586 Provisions applicable to use of voting machines; appearance of names of candidates; determination of feasibility.

Sec. 586.

   The provisions relative to the use of voting machines at general elections shall apply, as near as may be, to the use of voting machines at primary elections. The names of all candidates of each political party, where feasible, shall appear on a single row of the voting machine assigned to that party. If not feasible because of limitations of space, the names of the candidates may appear on the next succeeding row or rows. Before providing that the names of candidates shall appear on a succeeding row, all available spaces on the row assigned to a party shall be used. The determination of the feasibility shall be made by the election commission of the political entity setting up the arrangement of the face of the machine. In determining feasibility the same consideration shall be given to nonpartisan and local candidates as is given to state and county candidates.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1961, Act 50, Eff. Sept. 8, 1961 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 46, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1968 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 24, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1985
Popular Name: Election Code





168.587 Primary elections; voting machines, straight ticket and excess voting prevented.

Sec. 587.

   Whenever a voting machine is used in a primary election, the party levers or bars, if any, shall be locked against voting so as to prevent straight ticket voting, and the machine shall be properly arranged so that the elector may vote for as many candidates for each office as there are candidates to be nominated to that office and no more.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.588 Primary elections; voting machines, number in precinct.

Sec. 588.

   More than 1 voting machine may be used in a precinct.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXIVA
CANDIDATES WITHOUT POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION


168.590 Qualifying petition; filing; filing fee in lieu of petition prohibited; qualifications.

Sec. 590.

  (1) For the purposes of this act, "qualifying petition" means a nominating petition required of and filed by a person to qualify to appear on an election ballot as a candidate for office without political party affiliation.
  (2) A person may file a qualifying petition for a partisan office or office of justice of the supreme court. A filing fee shall not be tendered instead of a qualifying petition.
  (3) A person filing a qualifying petition shall meet the qualifications prescribed by law to hold the office.


History: Add. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.590a Qualifying petition; form, size, and contents; circulation on countywide basis.

Sec. 590a.

  (1) The form, size, and contents of a qualifying petition shall be prescribed by the secretary of state and in substantially the same form as provided in section 590h.
  (2) A qualifying petition for the office of president of the United States, United States senator, representative in Congress, governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state senator, state representative, state board of education, board of regents of the university of Michigan, board of trustees of Michigan state university, board of governors of Wayne state university, or justice of the supreme court may be circulated on a countywide basis. The form of a qualifying petition that is circulated countywide shall be prescribed by the secretary of state and in substantially the same form as provided in section 590h.


History: Add. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.590b Qualifying petition; signatures; time.

Sec. 590b.

  (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) and subject to the requirements prescribed in subsections (3) and (4), a qualifying petition for an office shall be signed by a number of qualified and registered electors of the district that is represented by the office being sought by the candidate equal to not less than 2% of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor in the district at the last election in which a governor was elected. In any case, at least 15 signatures shall be submitted.
  (2) Subject to the requirements of subsections (3) and (4), if a qualifying petition is for a statewide elective office, the qualifying petition shall be signed by a number of qualified and registered electors of this state equal to not less than 1% of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last election in which a governor was elected.
  (3) All signatures on a qualifying petition shall be obtained not more than 180 days immediately before the date of filing under section 590c.
  (4) As part of the minimum number of required signatures under this section, a qualifying petition for the office of president of the United States, United States senator, governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state board of education, board of regents of the university of Michigan, board of trustees of Michigan state university, board of governors of Wayne state university, or justice of the supreme court shall be signed by at least 100 registered electors in each of at least 1/2 of the congressional districts of the state.


History: Add. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 142, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1989 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 329, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1990
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.590c Qualifying petition; filing; time; filing notice of withdrawal.

Sec. 590c.

  (1) A qualifying petition for an office shall be filed with the filing officer authorized to receive a partisan nominating petition or a certificate of nomination for that office.
  (2) A qualifying petition for an office elected at the general November election shall be filed not later than 4 p.m. of the one hundred-tenth day before the general election. A qualifying petition for an official elected at an election other than the general November election shall be filed not later than the deadline established by statute or charter for filing a partisan petition or certificate of nomination for the office or at least 90 days before that election, whichever is later.
  (3) A candidate who files a qualifying petition shall not be permitted to withdraw his or her candidacy unless a written notice of withdrawal is filed with the filing officer who received the petition. The notice shall be filed not later than 4 p.m. of the third day after the last day for filing a qualifying petition.


History: Add. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.590d Filing name of person to appear on ballot as candidate for lieutenant governor; form; qualification; noncompliance; filing name of person to appear on ballot as candidate for vice-president; qualifications and number of presidential electors; form; noncompliance.

Sec. 590d.

  (1) Not later than 66 days before the general November election, a candidate without political party affiliation for the office of governor shall file with the secretary of state the name of the person who shall appear on the ballot as candidate for lieutenant governor under section 706. This filing shall be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. A candidate for lieutenant governor shall meet the qualifications of section 51. If a candidate for governor fails to comply with this subsection, the secretary of state shall not certify his or her name for printing on the general November election ballot.
  (2) Not later than 66 days before the general November election, a candidate without political party affiliation for the office of president of the United States shall file with the secretary of state the names and addresses of persons chosen to be presidential electors and the name of the person who shall appear on the ballot as candidate for vice-president under section 706. Presidential electors certified under this subsection shall meet the qualifications of section 41. The number of electors chosen shall equal the number of electors permitted by law. This filing shall be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. If a candidate for president fails to comply with this subsection, the secretary of state shall not certify his or her name for printing on the general November election ballot.


History: Add. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.590e Providing blank qualifying petition forms.

Sec. 590e.

   Upon request, a county, city, township, or village clerk shall provide blank qualifying petition forms to a person who wishes to appear as a candidate on a ballot in the clerk's jurisdiction as a candidate without political party affiliation. A county clerk is the only officer required to supply qualifying petition forms for countywide circulation.


History: Add. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.590f Applicability of certain provisions; canvass; hearing; certification.

Sec. 590f.

  (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3), sections 544c, 545, 552, 553, 555, 556, and 558 are applicable to a qualifying petition, a person filing a qualifying petition, and an officer receiving a qualifying petition.
  (2) The board of state canvassers shall canvass a qualifying petition filed with the secretary of state and shall make an official declaration of the sufficiency or insufficiency of the qualifying petition at least 60 days before the election. A hearing under this subsection by the board of state canvassers shall be held as provided in section 552.
  (3) A filing officer who receives a qualifying petition from a candidate who has met the requirements of this act shall certify to the proper board or boards of election commissioners the candidate's name, post office address, and office sought. If the election for the office is held at the general election, the filing officer shall make the certification not later than 60 days before the general election.


History: Add. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Apr. 9, 2002
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.590g Person filing qualifying petition; restrictions; selecting single office to which candidacy restricted; failure to make selection.

Sec. 590g.

  (1) A person who files a qualifying petition shall not file a partisan nominating petition or filing fee, and shall not be nominated as a candidate by write-in vote or by a political party convention, caucus, or committee, for an office to be elected at the election for which the person has filed a qualifying petition or at an election held during the same calendar year as that election.
  (2) A person who files a qualifying petition for more than 1 office, which offices are incompatible and the terms of which offices run concurrently or overlap, shall select the 1 office to which his or her candidacy is restricted not later than 4 p.m. of the third day after the last day for filing a qualifying petition. Failure to make this selection disqualifies the person as a candidate for the offices for which qualifying petitions were filed, and the petitions shall not be canvassed.


History: Add. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.590h Qualifying petition; size; type size; form; reference to political party prohibited; prohibited conduct; violations; misdemeanor; felony; penalties.

Sec. 590h.

  (1) A qualifying petition for a candidate without political party affiliation must be the same size and printed in the same type sizes as required in section 544c. The petition must be in the following form:
QUALIFYING PETITION
(CANDIDATE WITHOUT PARTY AFFILIATION)
We, the undersigned, registered and qualified voters of the
city or township of ............, in the county of ..........
(strike 1)
and state of Michigan, nominate, .............................,
(Name of Candidate)
................................. ............................,
(Street Address or R.R.) (City or Township)
as a candidate without party affiliation for the office of
........................................................... in
(Title of Office and District)
order that the name of the candidate be placed without party
affiliation on the ballot for the election to be held on
the .............. day of ............ , 20.... .
WARNING
Whoever knowingly signs more petitions for the same office than there are persons to be elected to the office or signs a name other than his or her own is violating the Michigan election law.
  (2) The balance of the qualifying petition form must be substantially as set forth in section 544c. A qualifying petition for a candidate without party affiliation must not contain a reference to a political party.
  (3) An individual shall not knowingly sign more petitions for the same office than there are persons to be elected to the office. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (4) An individual shall not do any of the following:
  (a) Sign a qualifying petition with a name other than his or her own.
  (b) Make a false statement in a certificate on a qualifying petition.
  (c) If not a circulator, sign a qualifying petition as a circulator.
  (d) Sign a name as circulator other than his or her own.
  (5) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (6), an individual who violates subsection (4) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 93 days, or both.
  (6) An individual shall not sign a qualifying petition with multiple names. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony.
  (7) If an individual signs a qualifying petition in violation of this section, any signature by that individual on the petition is invalid and must not be counted.
  


History: Add. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 431, Imd. Eff. June 6, 2002 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 650, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:"If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."In the form in subsection (1), the phrase "We, the undersigned, registered and qualified voters" evidently should read "We, the undersigned, registered and qualified electors".
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXV
DELEGATES, CONVENTIONS AND PARTY COMMITTEES


168.591 Commencement of state convention in even numbered years; date, time, and location; issuance of calls.

Sec. 591.

  (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) and section 532, the state convention of all political parties for the nomination of candidates for state offices in the even numbered years shall commence not less than 60 days before the general November election. The date, time, and location of the state convention shall be designated by the state central committees of the various political parties in their call for a state convention. The calls shall be issued at least 60 days before the August primaries.
  (2) In 2012 only, the state convention of all political parties for the nomination of candidates for state offices shall commence not less than 58 days before the general November election. The date, time, and location of the state convention shall be designated by the state central committees of the various political parties in their call for a state convention. The calls shall be issued at least 60 days before the August primaries.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 28, Imd. Eff. June 14, 1973 ;-- Am. 1983, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Oct. 25, 1983 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Eff. Nov. 9, 1988 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.592 County conventions in even numbered years; purpose; time; designation of date, place, and hour of meeting; issuance of call; number of delegates; counties having 2 or more congressional districts; committee; temporary chairperson; organization; election and certification of delegates.

Sec. 592.

  (1) Except as provided in section 532, the county conventions of all political parties for the election of delegates to a state convention for the nomination of state officers in the even numbered years shall be held not less than 8 days nor more than 25 days after the August primaries.
  (2) All county conventions of a political party shall be held on the same day throughout the state. The date shall be designated by the state central committee of a political party in its call for the state convention. The place and hour of meeting of a county convention shall be designated in the call issued by the county committee of the political party in the county, which call shall be issued not less than 45 days before the August primaries. The number of delegates to the state convention to which the political party in the county is entitled shall be chosen at the county convention.
  (3) In all counties having or which may hereafter have 2 or more congressional districts or parts of congressional districts within the boundaries of the county, the congressional districts or a part of a congressional district within the counties shall each be considered a county within the provisions of this section for the holding of the county conventions provided for in this section, and shall be in place of the county convention. The nominee for congress of the congressional district in the preceding primary election, the county chairperson, and the county secretary of the several political parties shall constitute a committee in each congressional district to name the temporary chairperson of the first district convention held under this act. Thereafter, the district chairperson shall act as temporary chairperson. The convention shall organize the same as county conventions and shall elect delegates to the state convention. The chairperson and secretary of the convention shall certify to the state central committee the names and addresses of the delegates elected, and, when certified, those delegates shall become the delegates from the district to the state convention.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 82, Imd. Eff. Apr. 5, 1956 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 28, Imd. Eff. June 14, 1973 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 261, Imd. Eff. July 30, 1980 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.593 State conventions in odd years; time, issuance of calls; apportionment of delegates among counties.

Sec. 593.

   A state convention of all political parties shall be held not less than 37 days before the first Monday of April in every odd numbered year. The state central committee of each political party shall cause to be forwarded by mail to the chairman of the county committee of such political party in each county a copy of the call for said state convention of such political party, showing the number of delegates to which each county shall be entitled in the state convention of such political party; and the said state central committee shall apportion such delegates to the several counties in proportion and according to the number of votes cast for the candidate of such party for secretary of state in each of said counties, respectively, at the last preceding November election. The particular day and the hour and place of meeting shall be designated by the state central committees of the various political parties in the call issued therefor by the respective state central committees of the several political parties. A certified copy of such call shall be immediately filed with the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 11, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.594 County convention in odd years; time and place, issuance of call; election of delegates to state convention; congressional district conventions, committee, temporary chairman, election of delegates, certification.

Sec. 594.

   The county conventions of all political parties for the election of delegates to a state convention in the odd numbered years shall be held not less than 7 days before said state convention. All such county conventions of any one political party shall be held on the same day throughout the state, which day shall be designated by the state central committee of such political party in its call for the state convention provided for in section 593 of this act. The place and hour of meeting of any such county convention shall be designated in the call issued therefor by the county committee of such political party in the county, which call shall be issued not less than 15 days before such county convention. The number of delegates to the state convention to which such political party in such county is entitled shall be chosen at such county convention. In all counties having or which may hereafter have 2 or more congressional districts or parts of congressional districts within the boundaries of the county, such congressional districts or a part of any congressional district within said counties shall each be considered a county within the provisions of this section for the holding of county conventions provided for in this section, and shall be in lieu of said county conventions. The nominee for congress of the congressional district in the preceding primary election, the county chairman and the county secretary of the several political parties shall constitute a committee in each congressional district to name the temporary chairman of the first district convention held under this act. Thereafter, the district chairman shall act as temporary chairman. The said convention shall then proceed to organize the same as county conventions and shall proceed to the election of delegates to the state convention. The chairman and secretary of any such convention shall certify to the state central committee the names and addresses of the delegates so elected, and when so certified they shall become the delegates from said district to the state convention.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 11, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.595 Delegates to state conventions; apportionment to wards, precincts, townships or districts; basis.

Sec. 595.

   At the time of issuing the call for the county convention of any political party for the election of delegates to a state convention, the county committee of each political party shall apportion to the various wards (or to the precincts, in case delegates to the county convention are elected by precincts) and townships of such county the delegates to the ensuing state convention to which such county is entitled upon the basis provided for in this act for the apportioning of such delegates to the several counties. Any township may be joined with 1 or more other contiguous townships or any ward of a city may be joined with 1 or more other wards of the same city (or, in case delegates to the county convention are elected by precincts, then any precinct may be joined with 1 or more precincts of the same city), in the formation of a district for the choosing of 1 delegate. The delegates to the county convention from each ward, precinct, township or district, as the case may be, shall choose the number of delegates to the state convention that have been apportioned to such ward, precinct, township or district. The number of delegates so apportioned to the several wards, precincts, townships and districts shall approximate, as nearly as may be, the number of delegates to which said county may be entitled. If any ward, precinct, township or district shall be without representation in the county convention, or if such ward, precinct, township or district shall not choose the delegate or delegates to which such ward, precinct, township or district is entitled, or if the apportionment has not been completed or followed in the selection of delegates, the convention shall choose the delegate or delegates to which such ward, precinct, township or district may be entitled.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.595a Delegates to state convention; legislators as delegates at large, alternates, vote.

Sec. 595a.

   In addition to the delegates to the state convention of any political party as provided by section 595, all incumbent members of the state legislature shall be entitled to attend the convention of their political party as delegates at large of the county in which they maintain their legal residence. Such delegates shall not have alternates. He may attend the convention of the county, counties, or portions of counties which he represents in the state legislature and may choose to vote in any or all said county or district caucuses, but having only 1 vote on the floor at the state convention.


History: Add. 1967, Act 209, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967
Popular Name: Election Code





168.596 Fall conventions and spring conventions; definition.

Sec. 596.

   The state convention held for the purpose of nominating candidates for state offices to be voted for at the November election shall be known as the "fall" state convention and the county convention held for the purpose of electing delegates to the fall state convention shall be known as the "fall" county convention. The state convention held not less than 37 days before the first Monday of April in every odd numbered year shall be known as the "spring" state convention, and the county convention held for the purpose of electing delegates to the spring state convention shall be known as the "spring" county convention.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 11, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.597 State central committee; members, officers, term of service.

Sec. 597.

   At its spring state convention in each odd numbered year, each political party shall select a state central committee as herein provided, which committee shall consist of 2 men and 2 women from each congressional district. The state convention shall select a chairman and 2 vice chairmen of the state central committee and such chairman and vice chairmen shall have the right to vote on all questions arising in the committee. The state central committee so constituted shall appoint a secretary and a treasurer and such other officers as in its judgment may be proper and shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in its membership or any of its offices. The term of service of a state central committee shall continue until the election of its successor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 369, Imd. Eff. July 23, 1965
Popular Name: Election Code





168.598 State central committee; forwarding copy of call for fall state convention; apportionment of delegates; allocation of additional delegates.

Sec. 598.

  (1) The state central committee of each political party shall, at least 60 days before the August primary, forward by mail to the chairperson of each county committee of the political party a copy of the call for the fall state convention of the political party, showing the number of delegates to which each county is entitled in the state convention of the political party. The state central committee shall apportion the delegates to the several counties in proportion to the number of votes cast for the candidate of the party for secretary of state in each county, respectively, at the last preceding November general election.
  (2) In addition to the number of delegates allocated to each county under subsection (1), the state central committees shall allocate an additional number of delegates equal to the number of incumbent legislators nominated by their party and residing in the county.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 209, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.599 Executive committee; selection by delegates to fall county convention in county with population of less than 1,500,000; replacement of former nominee; vacancy; appointment of officers; certification of names and addresses; temporary officers; proxy; county committee; delegates at large; vacancy in district delegation.

Sec. 599.

  (1) In the year 1966 and every second year thereafter, the delegates to the fall county convention of each political party in each county in this state having a population of less than 1,500,000, shall convene at the call of the county chairperson within 20 days following the November election to select a number of persons equal to the number of county offices and state legislative offices for which candidates were nominated at the last 2 preceding fall primary elections, who, together with the persons most recently nominated by the party for each of those offices shall constitute the executive committee of their party for that county. When a new nomination is made for an office, the nominee for which is entitled to serve as a member of the executive committee, the new nominee shall replace the former nominee as a member of the executive committee. If a vacancy occurs in the position of delegate-appointed member of the executive committee, the remaining delegate-appointed members shall fill the vacancy. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the executive committee may appoint the officers it considers proper to carry out the purposes of the committee, and may fill a vacancy in any of its offices.
  (2) Immediately following the selection of members of the executive committee, including the filling of vacancies, the secretary of the county committee shall certify the names and addresses of the persons chosen to the county clerk who immediately shall notify each person chosen.
  (3) Within 30 days following the convening of the fall county convention the executive committee, acting without the officers of the county committee who are not otherwise members of the executive committee, shall meet and select a temporary chairperson and temporary secretary. The temporary officers shall serve only during the selection of the officers of the executive committee who shall also serve as the officers of the county committee for the 2 years commencing on January 1 next. The officers shall be a chairperson, a vice-chairperson who shall be of the opposite sex of the chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer. Candidates for legislative offices consisting of more than 1 county may give a written proxy to other members of the executive committee.
  (4) After the officers of the county committee have taken office, and within 45 days after January 1 of each odd numbered year, the executive committee shall select a county committee for the party, which committee shall consist of not less than 2 members from each township and 2 members from each ward of each city in the county, or shall consist of at least 2 members from each election precinct in the county, as the executive committee may determine. The committee shall have the right to appoint officers which in its judgment are proper to carry out the purposes of the committee, and shall have power to fill a vacancy which may occur in the membership of the committee or in any of its offices. Between meetings of the county committee the executive committee shall have all of the powers and perform all of the duties of the county committee, including the filling of vacancies in nominations as prescribed by law. The term of service of a county committee shall continue for 2 years and until the selection of its successor.
  (5) A person nominated as a candidate of a political party for county office shall be a delegate at large to the fall county convention held in the year of the candidate's nomination and to all county conventions held during the term of office for which the candidate was nominated. A person nominated as a candidate of a political party for state legislative office shall be a delegate at large to the fall county convention held in the year of the candidate's nomination in each county or part of a county contained in the legislative district and to all county conventions held during the term of office for which the candidate was nominated. The number of delegates at large shall be in addition to the number of delegates specified in the call for the fall county convention. If a person is elected both a delegate at large and a delegate of an election district, a vacancy shall exist in the district delegation and shall be filled as provided in section 609.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 186, Imd. Eff. Apr. 24, 1956 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 245, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 233, Imd. Eff. July 11, 1966 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 189, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 248, Imd. Eff. Aug. 11, 1969 ;-- Am. 1977, Act 219, Imd. Eff. Nov. 17, 1977
Popular Name: Election Code





168.600 Congressional district conventions and caucuses; election and terms of officers and committee.

Sec. 600.

   At the 1964 fall congressional district convention provided for in this act for congressional districts, the majority of the electors of which, reside in a county having a population of over 1,500,000, and at a caucus of each other congressional district held at the time of the 1964 fall state convention, there shall also be elected for each political party a congressional district chairperson, a vice-chairperson of the opposite sex of the chairperson, a secretary, a treasurer, and a committee of 15 members to serve for 2-year terms or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Thereafter, beginning in 1967, the elections shall be held at the spring congressional district conventions and the caucuses held at the time of the spring state convention in every odd numbered year.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 279, Imd. Eff. June 11, 1964 ;-- Am. 1977, Act 219, Imd. Eff. Nov. 17, 1977
Popular Name: Election Code





168.600a Congressional district officers; residence requirement, exception.

Sec. 600a.

   No person shall vote or hold any office or position in any congressional district committee or organization unless he is at that time a resident of that congressional district, except members of the state legislature whose districts are located in whole or in part in the congressional district.


History: Add. 1968, Act 35, Imd. Eff. May 21, 1968
Popular Name: Election Code





168.601 County comprising single congressional or judicial district; county committee.

Sec. 601.

   In a county comprising a single representative, senatorial or judicial district, the county committee of each political party of each such county shall constitute the representative, senatorial or judicial committee of said political party for such representative, senatorial or judicial district, as the case may be.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.602 County comprising more than one congressional district; county committee.

Sec. 602.

   In a county comprising more than 1 representative or senatorial district, the members of the county committee of each political party residing in each such representative or senatorial district of such county shall constitute a committee of said political party for such representative or senatorial district, as the case may be, and such committee shall elect its chairman and other officers. The chairman shall have the right to vote on all questions arising in said committee.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.603 Repealed. 1967, Act 189, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for district committee membership at party convention.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.603a Counties over 400,000; legislators as members of congressional district committee and delegates at large.

Sec. 603a.

   In counties having a population of more than 400,000 persons, all members of the state legislature shall be members of the congressional district committee of their party in each congressional district which encompasses their legislative district in whole or part, and shall serve in addition to the committee of 15 members prescribed in section 600 of this act. Such legislators shall also be seated as delegates-at-large to all congressional district conventions of their party held during their term of office in congressional districts which encompass their legislative district in whole or part. As congressional district committee members and as delegates-at-large, they shall have a voice and vote.


History: Add. 1966, Act 264, Imd. Eff. July 12, 1966
Popular Name: Election Code





168.604 Repealed. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to call for fall county convention.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.605 Delegates to fall county convention; write-in candidates.

Sec. 605.

  The name of the candidate for delegate to the county convention must not be printed upon the official primary election ballot, but 1 or more names may be written in by the elector.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 611, Eff. Mar. 29, 2019
Popular Name: Election Code





168.606 Delegates to fall county convention; election, notice.

Sec. 606.

   Delegates to the fall county convention shall be elected by townships and in cities by precincts and the county clerk shall notify by mail each person elected as such delegate.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.607 Delegates to fall county convention; election; votes required; tie vote; determination by lot.

Sec. 607.

  The required number of electors who receive the highest number of votes for delegates to the fall county convention of a political party must be declared by the county clerk to be elected. If, on the canvass of the votes polled at a primary election for delegates to the fall county convention of a political party, 2 or more candidates for delegate receive an equal number of votes for the same office, and that causes a failure to elect a delegate, the election to the office must be determined as provided in section 625.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 136, Imd. Eff. June 11, 1968 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 611, Eff. Mar. 29, 2019
Popular Name: Election Code





168.608 Certifying and recording names of delegates; notification of delegates; certification of delegates to county conventions; definition.

Sec. 608.

  (1) The county clerk shall certify the names of the electors elected as delegates, naming the political party upon whose ballot the delegates were elected.
  (2) The county clerk shall maintain a record of those elected as delegates among the records of the clerk's office.
  (3) No later than 7 days following the primary election, the county clerk shall notify each delegate elected of his or her election as delegate.
  (4) The county clerk shall certify the following to the chairperson of the committee of each political party of the county:
  (a) The delegates elected by the political party as delegates to the county conventions.
  (b) The names of all persons nominated as candidates of a political party for county office and for state legislative office who are delegates at large under section 599(5), when those names become available to the county clerk.
  (5) As used in this section, "persons nominated as candidates of a political party for county office and for state legislative office who are delegates at large under section 599(5)" means incumbent county officials, incumbent state legislators, and unsuccessful candidates for county offices and state legislative offices who were candidates at the last prior regular or special election held for the respective office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 60, Imd. Eff. Feb. 22, 1972 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 325, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1976 ;-- Am. 1983, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Oct. 25, 1983 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 611, Eff. Mar. 29, 2019
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.609 Delegates to city or county convention; proxy prohibited; vacancies in delegation.

Sec. 609.

   No delegate elected to any city or county convention shall give a proxy to represent him at such convention. All vacancies occurring in any delegation to any convention shall be filled by a majority vote of such delegation: Provided, That such delegation shall not be permitted to fill any vacancy which may occur in its number by any person not a resident of the ward, district, township or precinct, as the case may be, from which such absent delegate was chosen.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.610 Repealed. 1975, Act 325, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1976.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to selection of national committeeman and national committeewoman.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.611 Reconvening of delegates in county convention; election of delegates to state convention; day, time, and place of county convention; definitions.

Sec. 611.

  (1) In the year 1956, and each fourth year after 1956, delegates of each political party who were elected to the last prior fall county convention shall reconvene in a county convention. The county conventions, when so convened, shall elect delegates to a state convention. The number of delegates elected shall be the same as the number elected to the last prior spring state convention. The county conventions shall be held at least 90 days prior to the time set for the holding of the national convention of its political party. All county conventions shall be held on the same day and time. The time and place shall be fixed by the state central committee. A state convention composed of delegates elected by the respective county conventions shall be held in the year 1956, and each fourth year after 1956, at least 60 days before the holding of the national convention of its political party.
  (2) As used in this section:
  (a) "Delegates of each political party who were elected to the last prior fall county convention" means precinct delegates elected at the last prior August primary election, persons nominated as candidates for county offices and state legislative offices who are delegates at large to county conventions under section 599(5), and delegates elected under section 622 or 624d to fill a precinct delegate vacancy for the balance of an unexpired term.
  (b) "Persons nominated as candidates for county offices and state legislative offices who are delegates at large to county conventions under section 599(5)" means incumbent county officials, incumbent state legislators, and unsuccessful candidates for county offices and state legislative offices who are candidates at the last prior regular or special election held for the respective office.
  (3) Delegates to a state convention shall include only those delegates elected at a county convention.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997
Popular Name: Election Code





168.612 Precinct or convention delegate; age.

Sec. 612.

   Any person of the age of 18 years or older shall be eligible to be a candidate for election as a precinct delegate or be selected as a delegate to the state or national convention of any political party.


History: Add. 1970, Act 64, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971
Popular Name: Election Code





168.613 Repealed. 1983, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Oct. 25, 1983.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to the presidential primary.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.613a Statewide presidential primary election; time; limitation on participation; conduct.

Sec. 613a.

  (1) A statewide presidential primary election must be conducted under this act on February 27, 2024, and on the fourth Tuesday in February in each presidential election year after 2024.
  (2) A political party that received 5% or less of the total vote cast nationwide for the office of President of the United States in the last presidential election shall not participate in the presidential primary election.
  (3) Except as otherwise provided in sections 614a to 616a, 624g, 759a, 759c, and 879a, the statewide presidential primary election must be conducted under the provisions of this act that govern the conduct of general primary elections.
  


History: Add. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 87, Imd. Eff. June 20, 1995 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 71, Imd. Eff. June 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 72, Imd. Eff. June 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 13, Imd. Eff. May 29, 2003 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Oct. 4, 2011 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 1, Eff. May 21, 2015 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 2, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: See Green Party of Michigan, et al v Terri Lynn Land, case no. 08-10149, March 26, 2008.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.613c Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to election of new officers in local units consolidated as new city.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.614 Repealed. 1983, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Oct. 25, 1983.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to the presidential primary.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.614a List of potential presidential candidates; issuance; filing; notice.

Sec. 614a.

  (1) Not later than 4 p.m. of the second Friday in November of the year before the presidential election, the secretary of state shall issue a list of the individuals generally advocated by the national news media to be potential presidential candidates for each party's nomination by the political parties for which a presidential primary election will be held under section 613a. The secretary of state shall make the list issued under this subsection available to the public on an internet website maintained by the department of state.
  (2) Not later than 4 p.m. of the Tuesday following the second Friday in November of the year before the presidential election, the state chairperson of each political party for which a presidential primary election will be held under section 613a shall file with the secretary of state a list of individuals whom they consider to be potential presidential candidates for that political party. The secretary of state shall make the lists received under this subsection available to the public on an internet website maintained by the department of state.
  (3) After the issuance of the list under subsection (1) and after receipt of names from the state chairperson of each political party under subsection (2), the secretary of state shall notify each potential presidential candidate on the lists of the provisions of this act relating to the presidential primary election.


History: Add. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 72, Imd. Eff. June 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Oct. 4, 2011
Compiler's Notes: See Green Party of Michigan, et al v Terri Lynn Land, case no. 08-10149, March 26, 2008.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.615 Repealed. 1983, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Oct. 25, 1983.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to the presidential primary.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.615a Printing name of presidential candidate on ballot; filing affidavit; filing nominating petition; signatures; conformity; rotation of names on ballot; space to vote uncommitted.

Sec. 615a.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the secretary of state shall cause the name of a presidential candidate notified by the secretary of state under section 614a to be printed on the appropriate presidential primary ballot for that political party. A presidential candidate notified by the secretary of state under section 614a may file an affidavit with the secretary of state indicating his or her party preference if different than the party preference contained in the secretary of state notification and the secretary of state shall cause that presidential candidate's name to be printed on the appropriate presidential primary ballot for that political party. If the affidavit of a presidential candidate indicates that the candidate has no political party preference or indicates a political party preference for a political party other than a political party for which a presidential primary election will be held under section 613a, the secretary of state shall not cause that presidential candidate's name to be printed on a ballot for the presidential primary election. A presidential candidate notified by the secretary of state under section 614a may file an affidavit with the secretary of state specifically stating that "(candidate's name) is not a presidential candidate", and the secretary of state shall not have that presidential candidate's name printed on a presidential primary ballot. A presidential candidate shall file an affidavit described in this subsection with the secretary of state no later than 4 p.m. on the second Friday in December of the year before the presidential election year or the affidavit is considered void.
  (2) The name of an individual who is not listed as a potential presidential candidate under section 614a shall be printed on the ballot for the appropriate political party for the presidential primary election if he or she files a nominating petition with the secretary of state no later than 4 p.m. on the second Friday in December of the year before the presidential election year. The nominating petition shall contain valid signatures of registered and qualified electors equal to not less than 1/2 of 1% of the total votes cast in the state at the previous presidential election for the presidential candidate of the political party for which the individual is seeking this nomination. However, the total number of signatures required on a nominating petition under this subsection shall not exceed 1,000 times the total number of congressional districts in this state. A signature on a nominating petition is not valid if obtained before October 1 of the year before the presidential election year in which the individual seeks nomination. To be valid, a nominating petition must conform to the requirements of this act regarding nominating petitions, but only to the extent that those requirements do not conflict with the requirements of this subsection.
  (3) The names of the presidential candidates on each political party ballot shall be rotated on the ballot by precinct. Each ballot shall contain a space for an elector to vote uncommitted.


History: Add. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 87, Imd. Eff. June 20, 1995 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 72, Imd. Eff. June 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Oct. 4, 2011
Compiler's Notes: See Green Party of Michigan, et al v Terri Lynn Land, case no. 08-10149, March 26, 2008.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.615c Selection of political party ballot by elector; separate record; disclosure; record retention.

Sec. 615c.

  (1) In order to vote at a presidential primary election, an elector shall indicate in writing, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, which political party ballot he or she wishes to vote when appearing at a presidential primary election.
  (2) The secretary of state shall develop a procedure for city and township clerks to use when keeping a separate record at a presidential primary election that contains the printed name, address, and qualified voter file number of each elector and the political party ballot selected by that elector at the presidential primary election.
  (3) The information acquired or in the possession of a public body indicating which political party ballot an elector selected at a presidential primary election is not exempt from disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
  (4) Within 71 days after the presidential primary election, the secretary of state shall make available to the public in an electronic format a file of the records for each political party described under subsection (2). The secretary of state shall set a schedule for county, city, and township clerks to submit data or documents required under subsection (2). The secretary of state and county, city, and township clerks shall destroy the information indicating which political party ballot each elector selected at the presidential primary election as recorded in subsection (2) immediately after the expiration of the 22-month federal election records retention period.


History: Add. 2011, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Oct. 4, 2011
Popular Name: Election Code





168.616 Repealed. 1983, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Oct. 25, 1983.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to the presidential primary.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.616a Canvass of returns; certification of results; release of ballots, ballot boxes, voting machines, and equipment.

Sec. 616a.

  (1) The board of state canvassers shall canvass the returns received from the boards of county canvassers and certify the statewide and congressional district results of the presidential primary election to the secretary of state.
  (2) The secretary of state shall certify the statewide and congressional district results of the presidential primary election to the chairperson of the state central committee of each participating political party.
  (3) Notwithstanding sections 831 and 847 or an administrative rule promulgated pursuant to section 794c, after the canvass by the board of state canvassers under subsection (1), the secretary of state may authorize the immediate release of all ballots, ballot boxes, voting machines, and equipment used in each precinct of a city that conducts a city election in the first week of April if both of the following requirements are met:
  (a) The county clerk certifies that no defect in or mechanical malfunction of a voting machine, voting device, ballot, or other election equipment or material was discovered or alleged before the date of the completion of the state canvass.
  (b) The county clerk certifies that no other election for offices or questions appeared on the same election equipment used in the precinct for the presidential primary election.


History: Add. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988
Compiler's Notes: See Green Party of Michigan, et al v Terri Lynn Land, case no. 08-10149, March 26, 2008.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.617 Repealed. 1975, Act 325, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1976.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to county conventions.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.618 Allocation of delegates to national convention; qualifications of delegates; selection procedures.

Sec. 618.

  The allocation of all delegates and alternates to a national convention shall be made by the state central committee of each party. All delegates shall be registered electors of this state. Delegates elected from congressional districts shall be registered electors of those districts. All national convention delegates shall be chosen according to procedures and any other qualifications as may be established by the state central committee of that political party. The procedures and qualifications may include, but are not necessarily limited to guarantees that discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, or economic status does not occur.


History: Add. 1972, Act 60, Imd. Eff. Feb. 22, 1972 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 325, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1976 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997
Compiler's Notes: See Green Party of Michigan, et al v Terri Lynn Land, case no. 08-10149, March 26, 2008.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.619 National convention delegates; basis of election; affidavit; certification; duration of commitment; vacancy; legislator prohibited from selecting delegates; participation of legislator in convention business; opportunity of registered elector or public official to be elected as delegate not restricted.

Sec. 619.

  (1) National convention delegates elected under this act shall be elected on a basis that insures that the proportion of the total national convention delegation that is uncommitted or is committed to each presidential candidate equals, as near as is practicable, the proportion of the popular vote that was cast as uncommitted or for each respective presidential candidate of the particular political party's total popular vote at the presidential primary election. The determination of these proportions shall only include the votes cast as uncommitted, or for a particular presidential candidate, if the total vote cast as uncommitted, or for that particular presidential candidate, equals at least the percentage determined by state political party rule of the total vote cast for all presidential candidates or as uncommitted for that political party at that presidential primary election.
  (2) Before an individual may be elected as a delegate to the national convention of a political party, that individual shall file an affidavit as required under section 562b. If the individual names a presidential candidate in the affidavit under section 562b(1)(a), that individual shall also be certified by the presidential candidate or the presidential candidate's designee as a delegate committed to that presidential candidate. A national convention delegate shall be bound to vote for the presidential candidate for whom he or she designated commitment, if any, under section 562b and as certified by the presidential candidate or the presidential candidate's designee under this section before the delegate is elected as a national delegate until the end of the first ballot at the national convention. However, a national convention delegate is released from that commitment by the withdrawal of that presidential candidate from contention for that party's nomination or by written release of that presidential candidate to the chairperson of the national convention, whichever is earliest.
  (3) If a vacancy occurs in the elected delegation, it shall be filled by an alternate selected by the caucus for the candidate to whom the original delegate was committed, and the alternate shall be required to meet the same qualifications of the delegate being replaced.
  (4) A person who is a delegate at large to a state convention of his or her political party only by virtue of being a member of the state legislature as provided in section 595a shall not participate in the selecting of delegates to his or her political party's national convention. This subsection does not prohibit that person from participating in other convention business. Neither this provision nor any other provision of law shall be understood to restrict the opportunity of any registered elector in this state, including all public officials, to be elected as a delegate to any county, district, state, or national convention of the elector's political party.


History: Add. 1972, Act 60, Imd. Eff. Feb. 22, 1972 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 325, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1976 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 87, Imd. Eff. June 20, 1995
Compiler's Notes: See Green Party of Michigan, et al v Terri Lynn Land, case no. 08-10149, March 26, 2008.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.620 Repealed. 1983, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Oct. 25, 1983.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to rules, procedures, allocation, and qualification of delegates.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.620a Law applicable to selection of delegates; state or national political party rule.

Sec. 620a.

  For purposes of this act, a state political party shall follow state law pertaining to the selection of delegates if required to follow state law by a state or national political party rule. If there is no such state or national political party rule, a requirement of this act pertaining to the selection of delegates applicable after the election of delegates to the county convention shall not apply to a political party if that requirement conflicts with a rule of that political party.


History: Add. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988
Compiler's Notes: See Green Party of Michigan, et al v Terri Lynn Land, case no. 08-10149, March 26, 2008.
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXVI
DELEGATES—REFERENDUM


168.621 Party convention delegates; nomination.

Sec. 621.

   In all counties the provisions of this chapter shall be in force and effect and the nomination of all candidates of all political parties for delegates to county conventions shall be conducted as herein provided.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 124, Imd. Eff. Apr. 13, 1956 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 236, Imd. Eff. May 27, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code





168.622 County conventions; time and place; election and duties of chairperson; vacancies; rules and regulations.

Sec. 622.

   The county conventions of each political party shall be held at the time and place that the county committee of each political party, through its chairperson, designates. County conventions at which delegates to a state convention are to be selected shall be held only at the times designated by the state central committee of the political party. The convention shall be called to order by the chairperson of the county committee of each political party. The chairperson shall act as temporary chairperson until the delegates elect a permanent chairperson. A permanent chairperson shall be elected before any other business is transacted. The election of a permanent chairperson shall be conducted as provided in this section. The chairperson of the county committee shall cause to be read the list of elected delegates and delegates at large under section 599(5) for the convention furnished to the chairperson by the county clerk under section 608. However, before reading the list, the chairperson of the county committee shall delete from the list the names of delegates that have been certified by the county clerk as disqualified under section 624a and shall add to the list the names of delegates elected to fill a vacancy for the balance of an unexpired term under this section, if any. When the name of each delegate on the list is called, the delegate shall state his or her choice for permanent chairperson. The person receiving a majority of the votes of the delegates present shall become permanent chairperson. The convention may fill any vacancy occurring in any delegation to a county convention by a majority vote of the delegates present. However, a vacancy shall not be filled by any person not a qualified, registered elector residing in the precinct in which the vacancy occurs. The convention shall prescribe the rules and regulations for the conduct of its affairs.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.623 Repealed. 1972, Act 60, Imd. Eff. Feb. 22, 1972.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to the election of delegates to fall county conventions.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.623a Mailing or delivering certificate showing number of delegates to county convention; time; notice; failure to forward certificate; allotment and apportionment of delegates; election of delegates by direct vote.

Sec. 623a.

  (1) On or before April 1 in even numbered years, the chairperson of the county committee or district committee of a congressional district or a part of a congressional district considered a county under section 592 of each political party shall forward by mail or otherwise deliver to the board of election commissioners in that county a certificate showing the number of delegates to the county convention to which each precinct of the county is entitled. The chairperson of the state central committee of a political party shall notify the chairperson of the county committee or district committee of a congressional district or a part of a congressional district considered a county under section 592 of that political party no later than March 1 in even numbered years that the certificate required by this subsection is to be delivered to the board of election commissioners on or before April 1 of that year.
  (2) If the chairperson fails to forward the certificate required by subsection (1) by the day specified, the board of election commissioners shall immediately determine the number of delegates to the county convention that each precinct should elect for the implementation of this act.
  (3) The allotment of delegates to all precincts in the state shall be made to insure, as near as is practicable, equal apportionment based upon the total vote cast for the candidate of each political party for either president of the United States or secretary of state at the last general November election when elections for those offices were held, whichever is later. However, each precinct shall have at least 1 delegate.
  (4) The apportionment shall be based on the precincts as they exist 180 days before the August primary election in even numbered years.
  (5) As many delegates in each precinct as a political party is entitled to according to the certificate authorized by the chairperson of the county committee or the board of election commissioners shall be elected at the August primary in even numbered years by direct vote of the registered electors of each political party in the county.


History: Add. 1972, Act 60, Imd. Eff. Feb. 22, 1972 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 325, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1976 ;-- Am. 1983, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Oct. 25, 1983 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.624 Delegate to county or district conventions; qualifications; affidavit of identity; seating of delegates; violation as misdemeanor; complaint; procedure.

Sec. 624.

  (1) A person holding a public office in this state or a municipal subdivision of this state may become a candidate for delegate to the county or district conventions.
  (2) A candidate for delegate to the county or district conventions of a political party shall be a qualified and registered elector residing within, as well as having his or her actual bona fide residence within, the election precinct for which he or she desires to become a candidate on the filing deadline. A candidate must file an affidavit of identity as prescribed in section 558(1) with the county clerk of the county in which the candidate resides. A county clerk shall receive affidavits of identity under this section up to 4 p.m. on the thirteenth Tuesday before the time designated for holding a primary election in the county. All duly elected and certified delegates shall be seated at the county or district county conventions. A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (3) If a written complaint is made to the county clerk with respect to the registration or bona fide residence, or both, of a candidate, the county clerk shall check with the township or city clerk of the township or city in which the candidate is registered or residing, or both. The township or city clerk shall report back to the county clerk within 48 hours as to the registration or bona fide residence, or both, of the candidate. If the township or city clerk's report shows that the candidate is not a registered elector or a bona fide resident of the election precinct of the township or city for which the petition shows the candidate is a resident, the county clerk shall remove the name of the candidate from the ballot. A complaint received by the county clerk after the ballots have been released for printing and before the primary election must not be acted upon.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 42, Imd. Eff. May 26, 1966 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001—AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:—Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.—Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.—Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.—Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.—Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.—Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.624a Precinct delegate; resignation; notice; withdrawal of name from ballot; qualification of delegate to participate in convention; complaint regarding qualification of delegate; report; certification that delegate not qualified to hold office.

Sec. 624a.

  (1) A precinct delegate may resign his or her office upon written notice to the chairperson of the county committee and the county clerk of the county or district in which the delegate resides.
  (2) An individual who has filed an affidavit of identity for precinct delegate may withdraw his or her name from the ballot by filing a statement of withdrawal with the county clerk within 72 hours after 4 p.m. of the last day to file for the office of precinct delegate.
  (3) An individual elected to fill a delegate vacancy or elected as a precinct delegate is not qualified to participate in a convention if, at the time of the convention, that individual does not reside in the precinct from which he or she was elected. A delegate is not disqualified if the delegate no longer resides in the precinct as a result of a division or rearrangement of the precinct under section 660 or 661.
  (4) If a written complaint is made to the county clerk regarding a delegate's qualification to hold the office, the county clerk shall check with the township or city clerk of the township or city in which the delegate indicated on the affidavit of identity as his or her place of residence. The township or city clerk shall report back to the county clerk within 48 hours as to the complaint made under this subsection. If the township or city clerk's report shows that the delegate is not qualified to hold the office, the county clerk shall certify to the chairperson of the county committee of the political party the name of the delegate of that political party who is no longer qualified to hold the office of delegate under this subsection.


History: Add. 1971, Act 66, Imd. Eff. July 28, 1971 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 173, Imd. Eff. May 30, 1978 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 611, Eff. Mar. 29, 2019
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001—AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:—Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.—Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.—Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.—Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.—Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.—Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.624b, 168.624c Repealed. 1983, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Oct. 25, 1983.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections pertained to including name of presidential candidate in nominating petition and to filing or withdrawal of candidate for delegate.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.624d Filling vacancies in precincts.

Sec. 624d.

   Vacancies in precincts resulting from the death of a delegate, the written resignation of a delegate to the chairperson of the county committee, the removal of a delegate's residence from the precinct, or any other reason may be filled for the balance of the unexpired term by a majority vote at the county convention of the delegates elected and serving. A delegate vacancy shall be filled by a registered elector of the precinct in which the vacancy occurs.


History: Add. 1972, Act 60, Imd. Eff. Feb. 22, 1972 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 325, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1976 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.624e Expired. 1972, Act 185, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973.


Compiler's Notes: The expired section pertained to reimbursement of costs of presidential primary election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.624f Repealed. 1983, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Oct. 25, 1983.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to reimbursement of costs of conducting presidential primary election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.624g Cost of conducting presidential primary election; reimbursement; payment upon presentation and approval of verified account; excluded costs; appropriation; qualification for reimbursement; payment or disapproval of verified account.

Sec. 624g.

  (1) The state shall reimburse each county, city, and township for the cost of conducting a presidential primary election. The reimbursement must not exceed the verified account of actual costs of the election.
  (2) Payment must be made upon presentation and approval of a verified account of actual costs to the department of treasury, local government audit division, after the department of treasury and the secretary of state agree as to what constitutes valid costs of conducting an election. Reimbursable costs do not include salaries of permanent local officials, the cost of reusable supplies and equipment, or costs attributable to local special elections held in conjunction with the presidential primary. The state shall disapprove costs not in compliance with this section.
  (3) The legislature shall appropriate from the general fund of this state an amount necessary to implement this section.
  (4) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, to qualify for reimbursement, a county, city, or township must submit its verified account of actual costs no later than 90 days after the date of the presidential primary. To qualify for reimbursement for the March 10, 2020 presidential primary, a county, city, or township must submit its verified account of actual costs no later than September 30, 2020.
  (5) Not later than 90 days after the state receives a verified account of actual costs, the state shall pay or disapprove the verified account.
  


History: Add. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 167, Imd. Eff. Sept. 30, 2020
Compiler's Notes: See Green Party of Michigan, et al v Terri Lynn Land, case no. 08-10149, March 26, 2008.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.625 Voting delegate ballot; returns; notice; furnishing names and addresses of delegates to county convention; tie vote; determination of successful candidate; determining if candidate is registered elector.

Sec. 625.

  A delegate ballot must be voted in the same manner as ballots bearing the names of the candidates for other county offices. The returns must be made direct to the county clerk, who shall canvass the ballots and immediately notify the successful candidates by first-class mail at the address given in their affidavit of identity. The county clerk shall, at the same time, furnish the chairperson of the county committee of each political party with the names and addresses of the delegates to the county convention of the chairperson's political party as required in section 608. However, in case of a tie vote between the candidates for delegate in any precinct, the county clerk shall notify the candidates to appear in his or her office at a specified time, and the successful candidate must be determined by drawing in a manner similar to that provided in section 851. If a candidate is elected whose name is not printed on the ballots, the county clerk shall determine if the candidate is a registered elector in that precinct.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 611, Eff. Mar. 29, 2019
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.626 Ballots; preparation; consecutive numbering; contents; paper; printing; rotation of names prohibited; delivery; distribution; time; voting machines.

Sec. 626.

   The board of county election commissioners shall prepare separate ballots for each of the several political parties for each election precinct in the county. The ballots shall be numbered consecutively and shall set forth the names of the candidates for delegates who have filed affidavits of identity with the county, city, or township clerk under section 624. The ballot shall be prepared in such a manner that the electors of each political party may write, print, or paste the name of a candidate for delegate on the ballot. The delegate ballot at a partisan primary shall consist of 1 sheet of 70-pound white book paper, machine finished or equivalent, with 1 of the political party tickets printed on each side of the ballot. The names on the delegate ballot shall not be rotated. The ballots shall be delivered to the county clerk for distribution to the election precincts at least 10 days before the primary election. However, if there is located within a county, subject to the provisions of this chapter, 1 or more cities or townships, or parts of cities or townships, in which voting machines are used, the board of county election commissioners may, in its discretion, dispense with the preparation of ballots for the election of delegates to the county convention of the several political parties and provide for their election upon the voting machines.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXVII
SPECIAL PRIMARIES AND ELECTIONS


168.631 Special primary election; time.

Sec. 631.

  If a special election is called to fill a vacancy in any office, the candidates for which are regularly nominated in accordance with the provisions of this act relating to primary nominations, a special primary for all political parties must be held in the county, district, or city in which the vacancy occurs on a day as may, subject to section 641(3), be fixed by the official or legislative body calling the special election, but not less than 45 days before the date of the special election. The official or legislative body calling a special primary shall, in the call for the special primary, fix the time within which candidates may file nominating petitions.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.632 Special elections; in absence of choice for representative in congress.

Sec. 632.

   The governor shall call a special election in any congressional district of the state in which there has been no choice for a representative in congress at the general November election, or he shall direct that in such case the office shall be filled at the next general election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.633 Special elections; vacancy in office of representative in congress.

Sec. 633.

   The governor shall call a special election in any congressional district of the state when the right of office of a person elected representative in congress shall cease before the commencement of the term of service for which he shall have been elected, or whenever a vacancy shall occur in the office of representative in congress after the term of service has begun for which such representative was elected; or the governor shall direct that such vacancy shall be filled at the next general election to be held at least 30 days after such vacancy shall occur.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.634 Vacancy in office of state senator or representative; special or general election; selection and certification of candidate; separate ballot; notice.

Sec. 634.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, when a vacancy occurs in the office of senator or representative in the state legislature, the governor may call a special election in that senatorial or representative district or direct that the vacancy be filled at the next general election.
  (2) If the vacancy occurs after the primary election and before the following general election the governor may direct that the vacancy be filled at that election. If the governor directs that the vacancy be filled at the following general election, the executive committee of the county committee of each political party, if the county comprises 1 or more representative districts, or, if the district is comprised of more than 1 county, then the executive committee of the county committee of the respective political parties of each county in the district, may select, by a majority vote, a candidate for that office, and shall certify the name of the candidate to the county board of election commissioners of the county or counties comprising that representative district within 21 days after the vacancy occurs and at least 10 days before the general election. Upon certification, the candidate certified shall be the nominee of that party at that general election to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term with the same force and effect as if the person was nominated at a primary election as otherwise provided in this act. If the ballots for that election have already been printed before the certification, then the board of election commissioners shall cause the names of the candidates to be printed on a separate ballot, which ballot shall be counted, canvassed, and returned as other ballots cast at that election.
  (3) If the governor directs that the vacancy be filled at the next general election, the secretary of state shall give notice of that decision similar to the notice provided for in section 651.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 464, Eff. Mar. 30, 1979 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 261, Imd. Eff. July 30, 1980 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997
Popular Name: Election Code





168.634a Repealed. 1970, Act 10, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 1970.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for calling special election to fill vacancies in any court of record.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.635 Special elections; proposition.

Sec. 635.

  A special election for the submission of a proposition must be held on a regular election date.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.636 Applicability of act to special primary elections.

Sec. 636.

   The provisions of this act relative to primary election ballots shall be applicable to the ballots prepared for use at a special primary election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.637 Primary elections; provisions governing.

Sec. 637.

   All primary elections held in this state shall be governed by and conducted in accordance with the provisions of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.638 Special elections; notice.

Sec. 638.

   Whenever a special election shall be ordered by the governor to fill any vacancy, the secretary of state shall immediately notify the county clerk of each of the counties embraced in the election district, or the county clerk of the county the whole or part of which constitutes the election district, of the time of holding such election, the cause of such vacancy, the name of the officer and the time when the term of office will expire.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.639, 168.640 Repealed. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections pertained to county election scheduling committee and calling special election in city with population of 1,000,000 or more persons.
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXVIII
HOLDING OF ELECTIONS


168.641 Regular election date; primary election; special election; direction and supervision of election consolidation; short title of section.

Sec. 641.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an election held under this act shall be held on 1 of the following regular election dates:
  (a) The May regular election date, which is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May.
  (b) The August regular election date, which is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in August.
  (c) The November regular election date, which is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
  (d) In each presidential election year when a statewide presidential primary election is held, the date of the statewide presidential primary election as provided in section 613a.
  (2) If an elective office is listed by name in section 643, requiring the election for that office to be held at the general election, and if candidates for the office are nominated at a primary election, the primary election shall be held on the August regular election date.
  (3) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and subsection (4), a special election shall be held on a regular election date. A special election called by the governor under section 145, 178, 632, 633, or 634 to fill a vacancy or called by the legislature to submit a proposed constitutional amendment as authorized in section 1 of article XII of the state constitution of 1963 may, but is not required to be, held on a regular election date.
  (4) A school district may call a special election to submit a ballot question to borrow money, increase a millage, or establish a bond if an initiative petition is filed with the county clerk. The petition shall be signed by a number of qualified and registered electors of the district equal to not less than 10% of the electors voting in the last gubernatorial election in that district or 3,000 signatures, whichever number is lesser. Section 488 applies to a petition to call a special election for a school district under this section. In addition to the requirements set forth in section 488, the proposed date of the special election shall appear beneath the petition heading, and the petition shall clearly state the amount of the millage increase or the amount of the loan or bond sought and the purpose for the millage increase or the purpose for the loan or bond. The petition shall be filed with the county clerk by 4 p.m. of the twelfth Tuesday before the proposed date of the special election. The petition signatures shall be obtained within 60 days before the filing of the petition. Any signatures obtained more than 60 days before the filing of the petition are not valid. If the special election called by the school district is not scheduled to be held on a regular election date as provided in subsection (1), the special election shall be held on a Tuesday. A special election called by a school district under this subsection shall not be held within 30 days before or 35 days after a regular election date as provided in subsection (1). A school district may only call 1 special election pursuant to this subsection in each calendar year.
  (5) The secretary of state shall direct and supervise the consolidation of all elections held under this act.
  (6) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Hammerstrom election consolidation law".


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 298, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 2, Eff. May 21, 2015 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 101, Eff. Sept. 28, 2015 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 197, Imd. Eff. Nov. 24, 2015
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."See Green Party of Michigan, et al v Terri Lynn Land, case no. 08-10149, March 26, 2008.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.642 Regular election or regular primary election held by city or village.

Sec. 642.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section and section 642a, beginning on September 1, 2004, a city shall hold its regular election or regular primary election as follows:
  (a) A city shall hold its regular election for a city office at the odd year general election.
  (b) A city shall hold its regular election primary at the odd year primary election.
  (c) A city that holds its regular election for a city office annually or in the even year on the November regular election date shall continue holding elections on that schedule.
  (d) A city that holds its regular election primary for a city office annually or in the even year on the August regular primary election date shall continue holding primary elections on that schedule.
  (2) If, on September 1, 2004, a city holds its regular election at other than a regular November election date, the city council may choose to hold the regular election on the May regular election date by adopting a resolution in compliance with this section. Except as provided in section 642a, if a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with this section to hold its regular election on the May regular election date, after December 31, 2004, the city's regular election is on the May regular election date. If a city's regular election is held on the May regular election date, the city shall not hold a regular primary election.
  (3) If, on September 1, 2004, a city holds its regular election annually or in the even year on the November regular election date, the city council may choose to hold the regular election at the odd year general election by adopting a resolution in compliance with this section. Except as provided in section 642a, if a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with this section to hold its regular election at the odd year general election, after December 31, 2004, the city's regular election is at the odd year election. If a city's regular election is held at the odd year general election, the city's regular election primary shall be held at the odd year primary election.
  (4) If, on September 1, 2004, a city holds its regular election annually on the November regular election date, the city council may choose to hold the regular election at the even year general election by adopting a resolution in compliance with this section. Except as provided in section 642a, if a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with this section to hold its regular election at the even year general election, after December 31, 2004, the city's regular election is at the even year election. If a city's regular election is held at the even year general election, the city's regular election primary shall be held at the even year primary election.
  (5) A village shall hold its regular election as follows:
  (a) A village shall hold its regular election for a village office at the general election and the appropriate township clerk shall conduct the election.
  (b) A village shall not hold a regular primary election.
  (6) If a village's special election is held in conjunction with another election conducted by a township, the village shall pay the township a proportionate share of the election expenses. If a village's special election is not held in conjunction with another election conducted by a township, the village shall pay the township 100% of the actual costs of conducting the village's special election.
  (7) A resolution permitted under this section or section 642a is valid only if a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with all of the following:
  (a) The resolution is adopted before 1 of the following:
  (i) If the resolution is permitted under subsection (2), (3), or (4), January 1, 2005.
  (ii) If the resolution is permitted under section 642a(1), (2), or (4), January 1 of the year in which the change in the date of the election takes effect.
  (b) Before adopting the resolution, the council holds at least 1 public hearing on the resolution. The public hearing may be held on the same day and immediately before considering the adoption of the resolution.
  (c) The council gives notice of each public hearing on the resolution in a manner designed to reach the largest number of the jurisdiction's qualified electors in a timely fashion.
  (d) The council votes on the resolution and, on a record roll call vote, a majority of the council's board members, elected or appointed, and serving, adopt the resolution.
  (e) The council files the resolution with the secretary of state.


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Sept. 1, 2004 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 292, Eff. Sept. 1, 2004 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 233, Eff. Jan. 1, 2012 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 100, Eff. Sept. 28, 2015
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.642, which pertained to biennial spring elections, was repealed by Act 56 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Eff. Mar. 24, 1964.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.642a Change of regular election schedule.

Sec. 642a.

  (1) After December 31, 2004, a city council that adopted a resolution so that its regular election is held on the May regular election date may change its regular election to the odd year general election by adopting a resolution in compliance with section 642. If a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with section 642 to hold its regular election at the odd year general election, after December 31 of the year in which the resolution is adopted, the city's regular election is at the odd year general election.
  (2) After December 31, 2004, a city council that holds its regular election for city offices annually or in the even year on the November regular election date may change its regular election schedule to the odd year general election and the odd year primary election by adopting a resolution in compliance with section 642. If a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with section 642, the city's regular election is at the odd year general election and its primary is at the odd year primary election.
  (3) After December 31, 2010, a city that adopted a resolution so that its regular election primary is held at the September election shall hold its regular election primary at the odd year primary election.
  (4) After December 31, 2011, a city that holds its regular election for city offices annually or in the odd year on the November regular election date may change its regular election schedule to the even year general election and the even year primary election by adopting a resolution in compliance with section 642. If a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with section 642, after December 31 of the year in which the resolution is adopted, the city's regular election is at the even year general election and its primary is at the even year primary election.
  (5) After December 31, 2012, a village that adopted a resolution so that its regular election is held at the September election shall hold its regular election at the general November election.


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Sept. 1, 2004 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 294, Eff. Sept. 1, 2004 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 182, Imd. Eff. Sept. 30, 2010 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 222, Imd. Eff. Dec. 10, 2010 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 233, Eff. Jan. 1, 2012 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.642c Regular election for office of school board member.

Sec. 642c.

  A school district shall hold its regular election for the office of school board member at the general November election.


History: Add. 2011, Act 233, Eff. Jan. 1, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.643 General election; officers to be elected.

Sec. 643.

  At the general election, the following officers shall be elected when required by law:
  (a) Presidential electors.
  (b) In the state at large, a governor and a lieutenant governor, a secretary of state, and an attorney general.
  (c) A United States Senator.
  (d) In each congressional district, a Representative in Congress.
  (e) In each state senatorial district, a state senator.
  (f) In each state representative district, a representative in the state legislature.
  (g) Justices of the supreme court.
  (h) Two members of the state board of education.
  (i) Two regents of the University of Michigan.
  (j) Two trustees of Michigan State University.
  (k) Two governors of Wayne State University.
  (l) In each county or district, judges of the court of appeals, a judge or judges of the circuit court, a judge or judges of probate, a judge or judges of the district court, a prosecuting attorney, a sheriff, a treasurer, a mine inspector, a county road commissioner, a drain commissioner, a surveyor, and, subject to section 200, a clerk and a register of deeds or a clerk register.
  (m) Township officers.
  (n) Any other officers required by law to be elected at that election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 56, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 364, Imd. Eff. Oct. 20, 1998 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 225, Eff. Sept. 24, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.643a Referendums; questions submitted to electors; form.

Sec. 643a.

   A question submitted to the electors of this state or the electors of a subdivision of this state shall, to the extent that it will not confuse the electorate, be worded so that a "yes" vote will be a vote in favor of the subject matter of the proposal or issue and a "no" vote will be a vote against the subject matter of the proposal or issue. The question shall be worded so as to apprise the voters of the subject matter of the proposal or issue, but need not be legally precise. The question shall be clearly written using words that have a common everyday meaning to the general public. The language used shall not create prejudice for or against the issue or proposal.


History: Add. 1969, Act 152, Eff. Mar. 20, 1970 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 152, Eff. Jan. 1, 1995
Popular Name: Election Code





168.644 Repealed. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 56, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section specified officers to be elected at biennial spring elections.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.644a-168.644c Repealed. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections pertained to odd year general and primary elections and officers to be elected.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.644e Odd year general election; nomination at odd year primary election; candidate filing deadline or certification deadline.

Sec. 644e.

  Except as provided in section 642, an officer required to be elected at the odd year general election must be nominated at the odd year primary election. If a charter provides for nomination by caucus or by filing a petition or affidavit directly for the general election, the candidate filing deadline or certification deadline is 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the odd year general election. If a charter provides for the election at the primary of a candidate who receives more than 50% of the votes cast for that office, the candidate filing deadline or certification deadline is 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the primary.


History: Add. 1970, Act 239, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1970 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 44, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 2010 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.644f Nominating petitions; filing; signatures; omission of nonpartisan petition requirement in law or charter; filing deadline; adjustment; city subject to subsections (4) and (5); city subject to subsection (7); civil fine; payment.

Sec. 644f.

  (1) Except as provided in this section and section 644e, nominating petitions for offices to be filled at the odd year general election must be filed by 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the odd year primary election. The place of filing and the number of signatures must be the same as is now required by law for those offices.
  (2) If a nonpartisan petition requirement is not contained in law or charter, the minimum number of signatures is the amount as provided for in section 544f.
  (3) If, upon the expiration of the time for filing nonpartisan petitions, not more than twice the number of candidates as there are persons to be elected to that office have filed, the primary for that office must not be held and those persons filing valid petitions are declared the nominees for the offices, unless a city charter provides otherwise for city offices.
  (4) Until December 31, 2017, the nominating petition filing deadline for candidates for city offices may be adjusted as provided in subsection (5) if all of the following occur:
  (a) The city clerk publishes a nominating petition filing deadline that is different than the fifteenth Tuesday before the odd year primary election or the odd year general election and the nominating petition filing deadline published by the city clerk is after the fifteenth Tuesday but no later than the eleventh Tuesday before the applicable odd year primary election or the odd year general election.
  (b) The city clerk did not publicly correct the filing deadline error at least 2 weeks before the fifteenth Tuesday before the odd year primary election or the odd year general election.
  (c) One or more candidates for city offices in that city relied upon the incorrect nominating petition filing deadline, failed to file nominating petitions by the fifteenth Tuesday before the odd year primary election or the odd year general election, and filed nominating petitions by the filing deadline published by the city clerk that are determined by the city clerk to contain a sufficient number of valid signatures.
  (5) If the bureau of elections confirms that all of the conditions set forth in subsection (4) are met, the bureau of elections may authorize the city clerk to adjust the nominating petition filing deadline for that odd year primary election or that odd year general election from the fifteenth Tuesday before the odd year primary election or the odd year general election to the incorrectly published nominating petition filing deadline.
  (6) A city that is subject to subsections (4) and (5) before December 31, 2015 is subject to all of the following:
  (a) Until December 31, 2017, the city clerk of that city shall attend at least once annually an election training school conducted by the director of elections as provided in section 33.
  (b) Until December 31, 2017, the city clerk shall submit nominating petitions to the secretary of state for final approval as to form before being circulated for signatures and shall submit any election filing deadline calendars and any correspondence relating to those calendars to the secretary of state before being provided to the public.
  (c) The secretary of state shall conduct a postelection audit after each November election held in the city in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
  (d) Notwithstanding section 683, beginning January 1, 2016 and until December 31, 2017, those acting as precinct election inspectors at any August or November election held in the city shall attend a preelection training school for election inspectors conducted by the county clerk of the county in which the city is located.
  (7) A city that first becomes subject to subsections (4) and (5) between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 is subject to all of the following:
  (a) Until December 31, 2019, the city clerk of that city shall attend at least once annually an election training school conducted by the director of elections as provided in section 33.
  (b) Until December 31, 2019, the city clerk shall submit nominating petitions to the secretary of state for final approval as to form before being circulated for signatures and shall submit any election filing deadline calendars and any correspondence relating to those calendars to the secretary of state before being provided to the public.
  (c) The secretary of state shall conduct a postelection audit after each November election held in the city in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
  (d) The secretary of state shall conduct an administrative audit of the city clerk's elections operations and shall report the results of that administrative audit to the house and senate committees dealing with elections no later than February 28, 2018.
  (e) Until August 31, 2018, the secretary of state shall conduct preelection precinct election inspector training for those acting as precinct election inspectors at any August or November election held in the city.
  (f) Notwithstanding section 683, beginning September 1, 2018 and until December 31, 2019, those acting as precinct election inspectors at any August or November election held in the city shall attend a preelection training school for election inspectors conducted by the county clerk of the county in which the city is located.
  (8) For a city that first becomes subject to subsections (4) and (5) between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017, the secretary of state shall direct the city clerk to place all eligible candidates who properly filed sufficient nominating petitions by the eleventh Tuesday before the applicable odd year primary election or the odd year general election on the odd year general election ballot.
  (9) A city that is subject to subsection (7) is subject to a civil fine of $2,500.00.
  (10) Beginning January 1, 2018, A city is subject to a civil fine of $5,000.00 if all of the following occur:
  (a) The city clerk publishes a nominating petition filing deadline that is different than the fifteenth Tuesday before the odd year primary election or the odd year general election and the nominating petition filing deadline published by the city clerk is after the fifteenth Tuesday but not later than the eleventh Tuesday before the odd year primary election or the odd year general election.
  (b) The city clerk does not publicly correct the filing deadline error at least 2 weeks before the fifteenth Tuesday before the odd year primary election or the odd year general election.
  (c) One or more candidates for city offices in that city rely upon the incorrect nominating petition filing deadline, fail to file nominating petitions by the fifteenth Tuesday before the odd year primary election or the odd year general election, and file nominating petitions by the filing deadline published by the city clerk that are determined by the city clerk to contain a sufficient number of valid signatures.
  (11) A civil fine collected under subsection (9) or (10) must be paid to the state treasury and credited to the department of state for enforcement of this section.


History: Add. 1970, Act 239, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1970 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 43, Imd. Eff. June 5, 2015 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 118, Imd. Eff. Sept. 18, 2017
Compiler's Notes: In subsection (10), “Beginning January 1, 2018, A city” evidently should read “Beginning January 1, 2018, a city.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.644g Terms of office; extension.

Sec. 644g.

  (1) A term of office shall not be shortened by the provisions of sections 641 to 644i. An officer scheduled by prior law to be elected at a time other than the odd year general election shall not be elected on the date scheduled but shall continue in office until a successor takes office after being elected in the first odd year general election following that date. If the regular election date for holding a jurisdiction's regular election is changed under section 642, 642a, or 642c, the term of an official who was elected before the effective date of the change continues until a successor is elected and qualified at the next regular election.
  (2) Notwithstanding a law or charter provision to the contrary, an officer required to be elected at the odd year general election, who by law or charter is elected for a term of an odd number of years shall, after September 1, 2004, be elected for a term of 1 year longer than provided by law or charter.
  (3) In home rule cities where the charter provides for the election of city officers at a time other than at the odd year general election and provides that members of the governing body are not all to be elected in the same year, the governing body by ordinance adopted prior to April 1, 1971 may alter the length of terms now provided by charter to provide that the city may continue to elect part of the governing body at each election. A term shall not be extended beyond January 1 following the first odd year general election at which the officer would be elected as provided by charter. A term shall not be for more than 4 years.


History: Add. 1970, Act 239, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1970 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 293, Imd. Eff. July 23, 2004 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 233, Eff. Jan. 1, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.644h Time of taking office.

Sec. 644h.

   All persons elected at the odd year general election shall take office at 12 noon on January 1 following the election. In home rule cities, if the charter provides for an earlier date for taking office or if prior to April 1, 1971, the council provides by ordinance for an earlier date for taking office, the earlier date shall prevail.


History: Add. 1970, Act 239, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1970
Popular Name: Election Code





168.644i Manner of conducting elections.

Sec. 644i.

   All odd year primary and general elections shall be conducted in the manner elections for state and county offices are conducted.


History: Add. 1970, Act 239, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1970
Popular Name: Election Code





168.644j-168.644l Repealed. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections pertained to election in home rule city, regular city elections, and school district and community college district elections.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.645 Repealed. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for biennial township elections.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.646 Repealed. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to provisions governing city and village regular elections.





168.646a Election of local officer; nomination; certification of ballot wording; applicability of provisions.

Sec. 646a.

  (1) If a local officer is to be elected at a general November election, candidates for the local office must be nominated in the manner provided by law or charter, subject to sections 641 and 642. If candidates for the local office are to be nominated at caucuses, the caucuses must be held on a date before the date set for the primary election or on the Saturday before the day of the primary election as determined by the local legislative body at least 20 days before the date of the caucus. If candidates are nominated by filing petitions or affidavits, the candidate filing deadline is 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the general November election. Except as provided in section 642, the local primary election must be held on the same day as a state or county primary election. If a state or county primary is being held on the same day, the last day for local candidates to file nominating petitions is the same as the last date to file petitions for state and county offices. The names of all local candidates and titles of office must be certified to the county clerk by the local clerk within 5 days after the last day for filing petitions, and certification of nominees must be made to that clerk within 5 days after the date on which the primary or caucus was held.
  (2) If a ballot question of a political subdivision of this state including, but not limited to, a county, city, village, township, school district, special use district, or other district is to be voted on at a regular election date or special election, the ballot wording of the ballot question must be certified to the proper local or county clerk not later than 4 p.m. on the twelfth Tuesday before the election. If the wording is certified to a clerk other than the county clerk, the clerk shall certify the ballot wording to the county clerk at least 82 days before the election. Petitions to place a county or local ballot question on the ballot at the election must be filed with the clerk at least 14 days before the date the ballot wording must be certified to the local clerk.
  (3) The provisions of this section apply to and control the filing deadlines for candidates for local office to be elected at the general November election and for all ballot questions of a political subdivision of this state at any regular election, primary election, or special election notwithstanding any provisions of law or charter to the contrary.


History: Add. 1958, Act 86, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1961, Act 178, Eff. Sept. 8, 1961 ;-- Am. 1962, Act 109, Eff. Mar. 28, 1963 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 56, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 252, Imd. Eff. May 28, 1964 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 23, Imd. Eff. May 27, 1970 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 431, Imd. Eff. June 6, 2002 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 295, Imd. Eff. July 23, 2004 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 647, Eff. May 14, 2007 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 253, Eff. Apr. 26, 2014 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 197, Imd. Eff. Nov. 24, 2015 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 627, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 1 of Act 197 of 2015 provides:"Enacting section 1. Section 646a of the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.646a, as amended by this amendatory act is curative and intended to correct any misinterpretation of legislative intent by the Michigan court of appeals in Meridian Charter Township v Ingham County Clerk, 285 Mich App 581 (2009). It is the intent of the legislature that section 646a of the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.646a, as amended by this amendatory act expresses the original intent of the legislature that MCL 168.646a(3) supersedes any and all conflicting provisions of law or charter prescribing the filing deadlines for candidates for local office to be elected at the general November election and for all ballot questions of a political subdivision of this state at any regular election, primary election, or special election."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.646b Repealed. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to nomination and election of city or village officers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.646c Repealed. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to election of judges of common pleas court.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.646d Repealed. 1980, Act 188, Imd. Eff. July 3, 1980.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to effective dates of precinct divisions.
Popular Name: Election Code



NOTICES OF ELECTION


168.647 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to notice of election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.648 Notice of elections to county clerk; time, contents.

Sec. 648.

   The secretary of state, at least 60 days and not more than 90 days preceding any regular state or district primary or election, shall send to the county clerk of each county a notice in writing of such primary or election, specifying in such notice the federal, state and district offices for which candidates are to be nominated or elected, as well as any constitutional amendments and questions to be submitted thereat.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.649 Repealed. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to certification of proposed constitutional amendment or special question.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.649a Airport authority referendum; petitions, filing; submission.

Sec. 649a.

   Regardless of any other provisions of this act, referendum petitions filed pursuant to the provisions of and within the time limit provided by section 23 of Act No. 73 of the Public Acts of 1970, being section 259.823 of the Compiled Laws of 1948, shall be placed on the ballot at the next general election if the referendum petitions are determined by the secretary of state to be sufficient and valid as required by this act the same as other referendum petitions filed under the provisions of this act. Referendum petitions filed under the provisions of section 23 of Act No. 73 of the Public Acts of 1970 with the secretary of state shall be canvassed by him and if found to be sufficient shall be certified to the county clerks within the authority from which the petitions were filed and he shall at the same time prescribe the form in which the special question shall be submitted. The returns shall be canvassed by the board of county canvassers and the results certified to the secretary of state.


History: Add. 1970, Act 211, Imd. Eff. Sept. 18, 1970
Popular Name: Election Code





168.650 Subsequent vacancy; additional notice to county clerks.

Sec. 650.

   If, after such notices have been sent, a vacancy shall occur in any office which by law is required to be filled at such election, the secretary of state shall send to each county clerk an additional notice specifying the office in which such vacancy exists and that such vacancy will be filled at the next general election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.651 Special election; notice to county clerks, contents.

Sec. 651.

   Whenever a special election shall be ordered by the governor to fill any vacancy, the secretary of state shall immediately notify the county clerk of each of the counties embraced in the election district, or the county clerk of the county, the whole or part of which constitutes the election district, of the time of holding such election, the cause of such vacancy, the name of the officer and the time when the term of office will expire.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.652 Special elections; notice to city and township clerks, contents.

Sec. 652.

   On receipt of any such notice from the secretary of state, the county clerk shall forthwith send a copy of the notice in writing to the clerk of each city and township in his county, which notice shall contain in substance the notice so received from the secretary of state, and he shall at the same time in such notice designate all county offices to be filled and any questions to be submitted at such election. If such county shall be divided into 2 or more senatorial or representative districts, such notice, so far as it relates to the election of senators and representatives, shall be sent by the county clerk to the clerk of each city and township in each respective district.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.653 Repealed. 1982, Act 2, Imd. Eff. Jan. 27, 1982.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to public notice of election and offices to be filled.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.653a Election notice; publication; form; agreement to jointly publish notice.

Sec. 653a.

  (1) On receipt of the notice from the county clerk pursuant to section 652, the clerk of each city and township shall give notice of the time and place at which the election is to be held, the offices to be filled, and the proposals to be submitted to the voters. The notice shall be published in a newspaper published, or of general circulation, in the city or township. A caption or brief description of the proposal or proposals along with the location where an elector can obtain the full text of the proposal or proposals shall be included in the notice. The publication shall be made not less than 7 days before the election. The notice shall be in substantially the following form:
ELECTION NOTICE
To the qualified electors of the city or township
______________________________ notice is hereby given that a
____________________________________________________________
(indicate whether regular, special, or primary)
election will be held in ___________________________________
on __________ from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the purpose of
(date)
nominating or electing candidates for the following offices:
____________________________________________________________
(list of offices)
and to vote on the following proposals:
____________________________________________________________
(list all proposals to be submitted to voters)
List of polling place locations: __________________________.
_______________________
(clerk)
(2) A county clerk may enter into an agreement with the clerk of 1 or more townships or cities in the county or the clerks of 1 or more cities or townships in a county may enter into an agreement to jointly publish the notice in subsection (1). The notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the cities and townships listed in the notice. If certain offices or proposals are to be voted on in less than all of the precincts, the notice shall specify the townships or cities that shall vote on only those offices or proposals.
  


History: Add. 1982, Act 2, Imd. Eff. Jan. 27, 1982 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code



ELECTION PRECINCTS


168.654 Election precincts; definition.

Sec. 654.

   The words "election precinct" as used in this act shall mean a political subdivision, the area of which is embraced in its entirety within the confines of a city, ward, township or village, and for which not more than 1 polling place is provided for all qualified and registered electors residing therein. When not divided according to law into 2 or more election precincts, each organized city, ward, township and village shall be an election precinct.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.654a Election precinct; composition; "clearly observable boundaries" defined.

Sec. 654a.

  (1) An election precinct under this act must be composed as nearly as practicable of compact and contiguous territory and must have clearly defined and clearly observable boundaries.
  (2) As used in this section, "clearly observable boundaries" includes 1 or more of the following:
  (a) A named road or street.
  (b) A road or highway that is part of the federal, state primary, or state secondary road system.
  (c) A river, stream, or drainage feature that is 40 feet or more in width.
  (d) A natural or constructed permanent physical feature that is shown on an official county, city, or township map issued by the department of transportation or a United States Geological Survey topographical map.
  (e) An apartment building, a dormitory, or other permanent multiple-unit housing structure.
  (f) Any line or demarcation that meets the requirements of and is recognized by the United States Census Bureau.


History: Add. 1994, Act 401, Imd. Eff. Dec. 29, 1994 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.655 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to outer boundaries of election precincts.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.656 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to division of precincts.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.657 Election precincts; division, rearrangement.

Sec. 657.

  If a city, ward, or township is divided into 2 or more election precincts, the election commission, or other officials charged with the performance of that duty by the charter of any city may by resolution divide any precinct of the city, ward, or township into 2 or more precincts, attach a portion of any precinct to an adjoining precinct, or may rearrange the city, ward, or township into election precincts as the election commission or other officials charged with the performance of that duty by the charter of any city may consider necessary and convenient for conducting primaries or elections in the city, ward, or township in the same manner and under the same restrictions as provided in section 661.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.658 Election precincts; consolidation.

Sec. 658.

  If a city, ward, township, or village is divided into 2 or more election precincts, pursuant to law, and it appears from an examination of the precinct registration records that there are not more than 4,999 active registered electors in the city, ward, township, or village, the election commission, or other officials charged with the performance of the duty by the charter of a city or village, by resolution, may abolish the division or divisions and after that time the city, ward, township, or village constitutes a single election precinct as if a division had not been made. A consolidation must not be made later than the 120 days before a primary or election.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 290, Imd. Eff. Aug. 11, 1969 ;-- Am. 1977, Act 236, Imd. Eff. Nov. 30, 1977 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 270, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 88, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 226, Imd. Eff. Nov. 22, 2023 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 267, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.659 Consolidation of election precincts.

Sec. 659.

  (1) If a county, city, ward, township, village, metropolitan district, or school district is divided into 2 or more election precincts, the county, city, ward, township, or village election commissioners may, by resolution, consolidate the election precincts for a particular election that is not a general November election, primary election immediately before a general November election, or other statewide or federal election. In making the determination to consolidate election precincts for a particular election, the election commission shall take into consideration the number of choices the voter must make, the percentage of registered voters who voted at the last similar election in the jurisdiction, and the intensity of the interest of the electors in the jurisdiction concerning the candidates and proposals to be voted upon. Consolidated precincts shall not exceed 5,000 active registered electors.
  (2) A consolidation under this section shall be made not less than 60 days before a primary, general, or special election.
  (3) Unless the polling places for the election precincts to be consolidated are located in the same building, when a county, city, ward, township, or village consolidates election precincts for a particular election under subsection (1), the election commissioners or other designated election officials shall do both of the following:
  (a) Provide notice to the registered electors of the affected election precincts of the consolidation of election precincts for the particular election and the location of the polling place for the election precinct or precincts for that election. Notice may be provided by mail or other method designed to provide actual notice to the registered electors.
  (b) Post a written notice at each election precinct polling place stating the location of the consolidated election precinct polling place.
  (4) If a county, city, ward, township, or village consolidates election precincts under this section, each affected election precinct shall be treated as a whole unit and shall not be divided during the consolidation.


History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Mar. 30, 2004 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 296, Imd. Eff. July 23, 2004 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 270, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 3, 2014
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.659, which pertained to prohibition of change in election precincts within 60 days of primary or election, was repealed by Act 271 of 1955, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955, and by Act 283 of 1955, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1955.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.660 Subdivision, alteration, or rearrangement of precincts; record; numbers of precincts; description of boundaries; notice; abolition of division into precincts.

Sec. 660.

   When a city, ward, township, or village is subdivided into election precincts, or the election precincts are altered or rearranged, the city, township, or village election commission, or other officials charged with the performance of the duty by the charter of the city or village, shall enter that action of record in its proceedings, specify the numbers of the precincts altered or rearranged in numerical order, and describe the boundaries of each precinct. Notice of the subdivision, alteration, or rearrangement shall be given immediately by the city, township, or village clerk. The notification shall be effected by mailing to each qualified and registered elector affected by the subdivision, alteration, or rearrangement a notice by first class letter postage advising the location of his new polling place and, if deemed advisable by the city, township, or village election commission, by posting a public notice of the change in 2 places in each precinct affected thereby, advising the boundaries of each of the precincts. A notice shall also be immediately transmitted to the county clerk, and the county clerk shall transmit to the secretary of state, not later than 200 days prior to the primary next preceding the general November election, the number of election precincts in his county. The city, township, or village clerk shall give like notice of the abolition of the division of a city, ward, township, or village into election precincts, and shall, in the notice of abolition, state that the city, ward, township, or village is restored as a single election precinct and indicate the location of the polling place therein. Notice of the abolition shall be immediately transmitted to the county clerk, and by him to the secretary of state, as in the case of the subdivision or alteration of boundaries as herein provided.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 325, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1976
Popular Name: Election Code





168.661 Division or rearrangement of precincts; notices; expenses; time limitations on division of precincts; division of precincts following federal census; determining number of registered electors.

Sec. 661.

  (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), city and township election commissions shall divide precincts according to law, not later than 210 days before the primary next preceding the general November election, and shall immediately notify the county clerk of the number of registered electors in each precinct in the city or township. The county clerk shall notify the secretary of state not later than 200 days before the primary of a precinct in the clerk's county that has not been divided according to law, and the secretary of state shall proceed to make divisions as are necessary at the expense of the city or township involved, not later than 180 days before the primary next preceding the general November election. A division of precincts must be made effective not later than 180 days before the primary election next preceding the general November election.
  (2) In the second year following each federal decennial census, precincts must be divided under this subsection. City and township election commissions shall divide precincts not later than 120 days before the primary election next preceding the general November election in order that a precinct, as far as is practical, is not split between districts and does not exceed 4,999 registered electors, and shall immediately notify the county clerk of the number of registered electors in each precinct in each city or township. The county clerk shall notify the secretary of state not later than 110 days before the primary of any precincts in the county that have not been divided, and the secretary of state shall proceed to make the divisions as are necessary, at the expense of the city or township involved, not later than 90 days before the primary election next preceding the general November election. The division of precincts must be made effective not later than 90 days before the primary election. The secretary of state may authorize, on written request by a city or township election commission, a later division of a precinct that contains portions of more than 1 elective district. All precinct divisions must be completed not later than 90 days before the primary election next preceding the general November election. In determining the number of registered voters for a precinct under this subsection, a city or township election commission or the secretary of state, as applicable, must use only the active registered electors for that city or township.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 212, Imd. Eff. May 22, 1964 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 325, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1976 ;-- Am. 1977, Act 236, Imd. Eff. Nov. 30, 1977 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 2, Imd. Eff. Jan. 27, 1982 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 270, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 88, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 227, Imd. Eff. Nov. 22, 2023 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 267, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code



POLLING PLACES, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES


168.662 Designating place of holding election in municipality; polling places and early voting sites; central polling places; abolishment; compliance with voting accessibility; notice.

Sec. 662.

  (1) The legislative body in each municipality shall provide a suitable polling place for each precinct located in the municipality for use on election day and shall provide a suitable early voting site for each precinct in the municipality for each election at which the municipality conducts early voting under section 720e. If at any election a municipality conducts early voting jointly with 1 or more other municipalities located in the same county, early voting sites for that election must be provided in accordance with section 720f. If at any election a county clerk conducts early voting for 1 or more municipalities located in the county, the board of county election commissioners of that county shall provide 1 or more early voting sites for that election as provided under section 720g. A publicly owned or controlled building, including, but not limited to, a municipal building or school building, must be used as a polling place unless it is not possible or convenient to use a publicly owned or controlled building as a polling place.
  (2) The legislative body of a city or township, or a board of county election commissioners as provided under section 720g, shall not designate as a polling place or early voting site a building that is owned or leased by an elected official, an individual who is a candidate, or a person that is regulated under the Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.201 to 169.282. For purposes of the previous sentence, "leased" means that the entire building, and not just a portion of the building, is leased by an elected official, an individual who is a candidate, or a person that is regulated under the Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.201 to 169.282. In addition, a building must not be designated as a polling place or early voting site if a portion of that building is leased by an elected official, an individual who is a candidate, or a person that is regulated under the Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.201 to 169.282, and the portion of that building leased by an elected official, an individual who is a candidate, or a person that is regulated under the Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.201 to 169.282, is located within 100 feet from the entrance of the polling place or early voting site located inside that building.
  (3) Except as otherwise provided in section 4(1)(m) of article II of the state constitution of 1963 for early voting, the legislative body in each city or township may establish a central polling place or central polling places for 6 precincts or less if it is possible and convenient for the electors to vote at a central polling place or at central polling places. The legislative body in each city or township may abolish other polling places not required as a result of the establishment of a central polling place or central polling places.
  (4) A township board may provide polling places or early voting sites located within the limits of a city that has been incorporated from territory formerly a part of the township, and the electors of the township may cast their ballots at those polling places or early voting sites. If 2 contiguous townships utilize a combined township hall or other publicly owned or controlled building within 1 of the township's boundaries and outside of the other township's boundaries, and there is not another publicly owned or controlled building available or suitable for a polling place or early voting site within the other township, then each township board may provide a polling place or early voting site in that publicly owned building for 1 or more election precinct.
  (5) A city or township, or a county as provided under section 720g, shall not use as a polling place, early voting site, or central polling place a building that does not meet the requirements of this section. For early voting under sections 720a to 720j, if a city or township cannot secure a building to be used as a polling place or early voting site that meets the requirements of this section, that city or township must enter into a municipal agreement under section 720f or a county agreement under section 720g.
  (6) The legislative body of a city or township, or a board of county election commissioners as provided under section 720g, shall not establish, move, or abolish a polling place, early voting site, or central polling place less than 60 days before an election unless necessary because a polling place, early voting site, or central polling place has been damaged, destroyed, or rendered inaccessible or unusable as a polling place, early voting site, or central polling place.
  (7) The legislative body of a city or township, or a board of county election commissioners as provided under section 720g, shall ensure that a polling place, early voting site, or central polling place established under this section is accessible and complies with the voting accessibility for the elderly and handicapped act and the help America vote act of 2002.
  (8) After a polling place or early voting site is approved under this section, the appropriate clerk, as provided under subsections (9) and (10), must provide a notice specifying the location of the polling place or early voting site to each registered elector entitled to vote at that polling place or early voting site. The notice requirement under this subsection applies to permanent and temporary changes to polling places and early voting sites, except that notice is not required if an early voting site is established in addition to 1 or more early voting sites that remain in effect for which notice was previously provided to each elector. The notice required under this subsection must be provided as follows:
  (a) No later than 45 days before an election for a polling place or early voting site established or changed by the sixtieth day before an election.
  (b) For temporary changes made to a polling place or early voting site under subsection (6), no later than 21 days before an election for a polling place and no later than 21 days before the first day of early voting for an early voting site. In addition to the notice required to each registered elector under this subdivision, the appropriate clerk must post a sign indicating the new polling place location or early voting site at the location of the former polling place location or early voting site.
  (9) After a polling place is approved under this section, the city or township clerk of the city or township approving the polling place must provide the notice required under subsection (8) by either of the following methods:
  (a) Updating and sending the voter identification card issued under section 499.
  (b) Sending a separate notice by mail or other method designed to provide actual notice to the registered elector.
  (10) After an early voting site is approved under this section, the appropriate clerk must provide the notice required under subsection (8) by sending a separate notice by mail or other method designed to provide actual notice to the registered elector, and must not provide the notice by updating the voter identification card issued under section 499. In addition to identifying the location of the early voting site, the separate notice sent under this subsection must provide the hours of operation of the early voting site for each day early voting is offered. The notice under this subsection must be provided as follows:
  (a) For early voting conducted under section 720e, by the clerk of the municipality approving the early voting site.
  (b) For early voting conducted under section 720f, by the clerk of each municipality that is a party to the municipal agreement, or as otherwise provided by the municipal agreement.
  (c) For early voting conducted under section 720g, by the clerk of the county where the early voting site is located or by the clerk of each municipality that is a party to the county agreement.
  (11) For temporary changes made under subsection (6) to a polling place within 20 days before an election or to an early voting site within 20 days before the start of early voting, the appropriate clerk must provide notice in all of the following ways:
  (a) By posting a sign indicating the new polling place location or early voting site at the location of the former polling place location or early voting site.
  (b) By posting the new polling place location or early voting site on the website of the municipality or county, as applicable.
  (c) By posting the new polling place location or early voting site on the department of state's website.
  (12) As used in this section:
  (a) "Accessible" means the removal or modification of policies, practices, and procedures that deny an individual with a disability the opportunity to vote, including the removal of physical barriers as identified in section 261(b) of the help America vote act of 2002, 52 USC 21021, so as to ensure individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate in elections in this state.
  (b) "Candidate" means that term as defined in section 3 of the Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.203.
  (c) "Early voting site" means that term as described in section 4(1)(m) of article II of the state constitution of 1963.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1974, Act 165, Imd. Eff. June 23, 1974 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 207, Imd. Eff. May 21, 1996 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 13, Imd. Eff. Feb. 26, 2004 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 219, Eff. Jan. 1, 2023 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.663 Polling places; erection of barriers.

Sec. 663.

   The legislative body of each city, village and township shall provide for and cause to be erected in the room where any election is to be held in each election precinct of such city, village or township, a suitable barrier which shall be so placed as to separate from the rest of the room the area in which the election officials, challengers, voting machines or ballot boxes and voting booths, and persons in the actual process of voting, are located. The barrier shall be of a type approved by the secretary of state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1962, Act 74, Eff. Mar. 28, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.664 Polling places; booths or temporary rooms, specifications.

Sec. 664.

   On the inside of said railing, the said officers shall cause 1 or more booths or temporary rooms to be erected. At least 1 such booth shall be provided at each polling place and not less than 1 for each 100 persons entitled to vote thereat, as shown by the registration book of the precinct. Each such booth shall be built with walls not less than 6 feet high and in such manner that the person preparing his ballot shall be concealed from all other persons. In each booth there shall be provided a shelf of sufficient size with smooth surface on which ballots may be placed to be marked.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.665 Polling places; forms, stationery and supplies; provision, delivery, approval by state bureau of elections.

Sec. 665.

   All forms, stationery and supplies required by the several boards of precinct election inspectors for all federal, state, district and county primaries and elections shall be furnished in accordance with sections 666, 667, 668, 669 and 670 of this act. All forms, stationery and supplies to be provided by the secretary of state and the boards of county election commissioners shall be delivered to the county clerks who shall, in turn, deliver them to the several city and township clerks at the time official ballots are delivered, and said ballots, as well as all forms, stationery and supplies referred to in sections 666, 667, 668, 669 and 670 of this act, shall be delivered by said city and township clerks to the several boards of precinct election inspectors in sufficient time for use at any such primary or election. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, it shall be unlawful for any publisher, printer or supplier to offer for sale to any county, city, village or township clerk or election commission any of the following until such shall have been approved by the state bureau of elections:
  1. Statements of returns
  2. Tally books and poll books
  3. Combined tally and statement books
  4. Certificates of electors sworn to disability
  5. Envelopes for transmitting tally books, statement books, poll books and election certificates
  6. Wrappers for securing voted ballots
  7. Applications for ballots
  8. Anything which is required by the election law to be approved, prescribed or recommended by the secretary of state or state director of elections.
   The provisions of this section shall not apply to forms printed on the direct order of any county, city, village or township clerk or election commission.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 198, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957
Popular Name: Election Code





168.666 Metal seals; paper seals; blank forms for returns.

Sec. 666.

   At each federal, state, district, or county primary or election, the secretary of state shall furnish to each county clerk at state expense the following items:
  (a) Before each primary, general, or special election at which state, district, or county officers are to be nominated or elected, a supply of self-sealing metal seals adapted and suitable for sealing the ballot boxes used at the election. The metal seals shall have the words "State of Michigan" and serial numbers stamped on them. The secretary of state shall provide a sufficient number of metal seals for each voting precinct within the county at least 30 days before an election.
  (b) A substantial supply of red gummed paper seals for use of the precinct boards of election inspectors in sealing the package of ballots and the envelopes containing the tally sheets or poll books and the statement of returns. Each seal shall have inscribed on it the words "Election Seal--State of Michigan" and the date of the primary or election at which it is to be used. A space shall also be provided on the seal in which 2 members of the board of election inspectors shall write their initials after the seal has been applied.
  (c) Suitable blank forms for use by the county boards of canvassers in making returns of the canvass required by this act. Each county board of canvassers shall use the forms furnished by the secretary of state in making returns of the canvass.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 96, Imd. Eff. May 7, 2004
Popular Name: Election Code





168.666a Sealing devices for ballot boxes or containers.

Sec. 666a.

   In addition to the supplies furnished under section 666, the secretary of state shall furnish to each county clerk devices to enable ballot boxes or other ballot containers to be sealed easily and securely with self-sealing metal seals.


History: Add. 1969, Act 127, Eff. Mar. 20, 1970 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 207, Imd. Eff. June 27, 2000
Popular Name: Election Code





168.667 Election supplies to be furnished at county expense.

Sec. 667.

  At any federal, state, district or county primary or election, the various boards of county election commissioners shall furnish, at the expense of their respective counties, all of the following:
  (a) Suitable forms as prescribed by the secretary of state for use by the precinct election inspectors in making returns of any primary or election to the boards of county canvassers. The statement of returns form must also contain a certificate to be subscribed by each member of the precinct election board on a form prescribed by the secretary of state.
  
  (b) Suitable write-in sheets to be used by the election inspectors in recording the names of all write-in candidates.
  (c) Self-addressed substantial paper envelopes with gummed flaps to be used by the various boards of precinct election inspectors for sealing the statements of returns, the write-in sheets, poll lists, and a certificate of election inspectors.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 222, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.668 Delivery of voter registration list, forms, and other supplies.

Sec. 668.

   Before the polls open, the city, township, or village clerk shall deliver to the board of election inspectors of each precinct the voter registration list, the forms for poll lists and returns, and any other supplies necessary to conduct the election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 96, Imd. Eff. May 7, 2004
Popular Name: Election Code





168.668a Voter information displays.

Sec. 668a.

  (1) The secretary of state shall furnish to each county clerk at state expense for each precinct 2 voter information displays that contain in not less than 18-point type the following information:
  (a) The hours that the polls will be open.
  (b) Voting instructions.
  (c) Information on an individual's right to obtain a provisional ballot and instructions on how to vote a provisional ballot.
  (d) Information on the identification requirements that apply to voters who register by mail.
  (e) Instructions on how to contact the appropriate election official about alleged voting rights violations.
  (f) Information on the federal and state laws that prohibit fraud and misrepresentation.
  (g) Information on how to challenge another voter as unqualified to vote.
  (h) Other information that the secretary of state considers necessary.
  (2) Upon receipt of the voter information displays under subsection (1), each county clerk shall provide to each city or township clerk, as designated by the secretary of state, 2 voter information displays for each precinct in the county.
  (3) The city or township clerk shall provide to each precinct 2 voter information displays and an instruction ballot for display at each precinct.
  (4) Before the polls open on election day, the board of election inspectors in each precinct shall post in conspicuous places in the polling place the voter information displays and instruction ballot required under this section.
  (5) If requested by an elector, the city or township clerk shall have available a means to provide the information contained in the voter information displays in an alternative format, as prescribed by the secretary of state.


History: Add. 2004, Act 96, Imd. Eff. May 7, 2004 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.668b Electronic poll book software; timeline for processing voter activity and precinct reports.

Sec. 668b.

  (1) Each city or township shall use the electronic poll book software developed, acquired, or approved by the bureau of elections in each election precinct in the city or township on election day to process voters and generate election precinct reports.
  (2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3), after 4 p.m. on the day before an election, each city or township clerk shall download the electronic poll book software from the qualified voter file software.
  (3) In a city or township with more than 50 election precincts, the city or township clerk may begin downloading the electronic poll book software from the qualified voter file software after 2 p.m. on the Saturday before an election. If a city or township clerk downloads the electronic poll book software from the qualified voter file software before 4 p.m. on the day before an election as provided in this subsection, the city or township clerk must provide a supplemental absent voter list to each election precinct before the polls open on election day that captures any absent voter activity in the city or township between 2 p.m. on the Saturday before the election and 4 p.m. on the Monday before the election.
  
  


History: Add. 2018, Act 614, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.669 Items to be provided by city or township board of election commissioners.

Sec. 669.

  For a federal, state, district, or county primary or election, a city or township board of election commissioners shall provide, at the expense of the respective city or township, each of the following:
  (a) For each election precinct, a ballot container approved under section 24j to be utilized in the precinct.
  (b) For each polling place, a United States flag and any additional items needed to display the flag. The flag must measure not less than 3 feet wide and 5 feet long. The election inspectors shall ensure that the flag is displayed at or in each polling place during an election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 207, Imd. Eff. June 27, 2000 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.669a Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to use of ballot containers.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.670 Local primaries and elections; ballots, forms, stationery and supplies.

Sec. 670.

  For all local primaries and elections, the election commissioners of the various cities and townships shall furnish, at the expense of their respective cities and townships all ballots, forms, stationery, and supplies required for the proper conduct of primaries and elections. These supplies must conform generally with the supplies furnished for general primaries and elections.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.671 Blank forms for returns; seals.

Sec. 671.

  At the time of delivering the official ballots and other election supplies to the township and city clerks or, for city, village, or township elections, to the wards or precincts, a sufficient number of blank forms for use by the election inspectors in making the statement of returns of the election as required by law shall be delivered. At the same time, a sufficient number of seals for the use of the election inspectors in sealing the ballot boxes after the close of the election shall be delivered. A record of the number of seals delivered to each voting precinct, absent voter counting board, and absent voter counting board precinct shall be recorded and preserved.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 272, Imd. Eff. July 3, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.672 Board of inspectors of elections; presence in precinct polling places.

Sec. 672.

   At every election, there shall be a board of at least 3 inspectors of election, constituted as in this chapter provided, in and for each election precinct. Not less than a majority of the inspectors shall be present in the precinct polling place during the time the polls are open.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.673 Repealed. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955;—1955, Act 283, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1955.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for chairman of board of inspectors of elections.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.673a Election inspector; submission of list of interested individuals.

Sec. 673a.

  Not later than May 15 of each year, the county chair of a major political party may submit to the city or township clerks in that county a list of individuals who are interested in serving as an election inspector in that county. The county chair may designate in the list the city or township in which each individual on the list wishes to serve.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.674 Precinct and early voting site election inspector; appointment; chairperson; political party membership; challenge; vacancies.

Sec. 674.

  (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary and subject to this section, the city and township board of election commissioners, at least 21 days before each election, but in no case less than 5 days before the date set for holding schools of instruction, shall appoint for each election precinct and early voting site at least 3 election inspectors and as many more as in the board's opinion is required for the efficient, speedy, and proper conduct of the election. The board of election commissioners may appoint as election inspector an individual on the list submitted by a major political party under section 673a who is qualified to serve under section 677. An appointment of an election inspector under this section is void if a properly completed application for that election inspector is not on file in the clerk's office as prescribed in section 677.
  (2) The board of election commissioners shall designate 1 appointed election inspector as chairperson. The board of election commissioners shall appoint at least 1 election inspector from each major political party and shall appoint an equal number, as nearly as possible, of election inspectors in each election precinct from each major political party. The board of election commissioners may appoint election inspectors in an election precinct from minor political parties. Not later than 2 business days following the appointment of election inspectors under subsection (1) for elections in which a federal or state office appears, the board of election commissioners shall notify by certified mail, personal service, or electronic transmission capable of determining date of receipt the county chair of each major political party of the names and political party affiliations of appointed election inspectors and the precincts to which those election inspectors were appointed. A board of election commissioners shall not appoint an individual as an election inspector if that individual declares a political party preference for 1 political party but is a known active advocate of another political party. As used in this section, "a known active advocate" means an individual who meets 1 or more of the following:
  (a) Is a delegate to the convention or an officer of that other political party.
  (b) Is affiliated with that political party through an elected or appointed government position.
  (c) Has made documented public statements specifically supporting by name the other political party or its candidates in the same calendar year as the election for which the appointment is being made. As used in this subdivision, "documented public statements" means statements reported by the news media or written statements with a clear and unambiguous attribution to the applicant.
  (3) The county chair of a major political party may challenge the appointment of an election inspector based on the qualifications of the election inspector, the legitimacy of the election inspector's political party affiliation, or whether there is a properly completed declaration of political party affiliation in the application for that election inspector on file in the clerk's office. The challenge must be in writing, specifically identify the reason for the challenge, and include any available documentation supporting the challenge. The county chair of the political party shall file a challenge under this subsection with the board of election commissioners not later than 4 business days following receipt of the board of election commissioners' notice of appointed election inspectors under subsection (2).
  (4) Upon receipt of a challenge under subsection (3), the board of election commissioners shall determine whether the appointee has the necessary qualifications by reviewing the application or any other official records, such as voter registration records, or whether the applicant has a properly completed certification of political party affiliation in the application. If the challenge alleges that the appointee is a known active advocate of a political party other than the one on the appointee's application, the board of election commissioners immediately shall provide the appointee with a copy of the challenge by certified mail, personal service, or electronic transmission capable of determining date of receipt. The appointee may respond to the challenge within 2 business days after receiving a copy of the challenge. A response must be by affidavit addressing the specific reasons for the challenge. Failure to respond results in revocation of the appointment. Within 2 business days after receiving the challenge or a response from the appointee, whichever is later, the board of election commissioners shall make a final determination and notify the appointee and the county chair of the political party of the determination.
  (5) If a vacancy occurs in the office of chairperson or in the office of election inspector before election day, the chairperson of the board of election commissioners shall designate some other properly qualified applicant or election inspector as chairperson or some other qualified applicant as election inspector, as applicable, subject to this section. If a vacancy occurs in the office of chairperson on election day, the remaining election inspectors shall designate 1 of the election inspectors as chairperson.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 207, Imd. Eff. May 21, 1996 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 259, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.675 Precinct election inspectors; vacancies during election.

Sec. 675.

   In case 3 inspectors shall not attend at the opening of the polls or shall not remain in attendance during the election, the electors present may choose, viva voce, such number of said electors as, with the inspector or inspectors present, shall constitute a board of 3 in number; and such electors so chosen shall be inspectors of that election during the continuance thereof: Provided, however, That not more than 2 of the members of the board of inspectors of election when constituted shall be of the same political party.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.676 Repealed. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955;—1955, Act 283, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1955.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for city or village board of election inspectors.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.677 Precinct election inspector; qualifications; application; contents; online; candidates ineligible; appointment.

Sec. 677.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4), a precinct election inspector must be a qualified and registered elector of this state, must have a good reputation, and must have sufficient education and clerical ability to perform the duties of the office. An individual must not be appointed to a board of election inspectors unless the individual has filed an application with the county clerk or the city or township clerk in the county where the individual wishes to serve as a precinct election inspector.
  (2) The application must contain the applicant's name, home address, ward and precinct registration if any, date of birth, political party affiliation, education, employment, and other experience qualifications. The application must provide a certification that the applicant is not a member or a known active advocate, as that term is defined in section 674, of a political party other than the political party entered on the application. The form of the application under this section must be approved by the state director of elections. A county, city, or township clerk may allow an applicant for precinct election inspector to file an application through an online application portal or by other electronic means. The clerk shall maintain a file of applications filed under this section and make the applications available for public inspection at the clerk's office during normal business hours.
  (3) An individual must not be knowingly appointed or permitted to act as a precinct election inspector if the individual or any member of the individual's immediate family is a candidate for nomination or election to any office at the election or has been convicted of a felony or election crime. An individual must not be permitted to act as a precinct election inspector if the individual has failed to attend a school of instruction or failed to take an examination as provided in section 683. This section does not prohibit the candidate for or delegate to a political party convention from acting as a precinct election inspector in a precinct other than the precinct in which that individual resides. An election must not be invalidated merely because of the violation of the provisions of this section.
  (4) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and subject to subsection (5), an individual who is 16 or 17 years of age may be appointed to a board of election inspectors. Before an individual may be appointed under this subsection, the first 3 members of the board of election inspectors required to be appointed under section 672 must meet the requirements of subsections (1) to (3). An individual who is appointed under this subsection must meet the requirements of subsections (1) to (3) other than being a qualified and registered elector of this state. An individual who is appointed under this subsection is not eligible to be designated as chairperson of the board of election inspectors under section 674.
  (5) If an individual seeking appointment to a board of election inspectors under subsection (4) is attending a K-12 school and if an election falls on a school day, the individual shall provide to the clerk, along with the application filed under subsections (1) and (2), a written document from the individual's school specifically acknowledging that individual's application for appointment to the board of election inspectors and specifically excusing that individual from school on the date of service, if the appointment is made.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1962, Act 67, Eff. Mar. 28, 1963 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 35, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1997, Act 158, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1997 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 157, Imd. Eff. June 5, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 251, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.678 Board of election inspectors; authority.

Sec. 678.

   Each board of election inspectors shall possess full authority to maintain peace, regularity and order at its polling place, and to enforce obedience to their lawful commands during any primary or election and during the canvass of the votes after the poll is closed.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.679 Counting board; membership; appointment; duties; applicability of MCL 168.662 to place of performance.

Sec. 679.

  (1) The legislative body of a city or township, by resolution, may provide that for an election in a precinct of the city or township, there shall be an additional board of election inspectors, known as the counting board. The counting board must consist of 3 or more election inspectors. Sections 673a and 674 apply to the appointment of election inspectors to counting boards under this section. The counting board shall count the ballots cast in the precinct at an election and make a statement of returns of that count. The provisions of this chapter relative to the appointment, qualifications, privileges, powers, duties, and oaths of office of election inspectors apply to the members of a counting board, to the extent that they apply to the counting of the votes cast at and the making of the statement of returns of an election.
  (2) In a precinct for which a counting board has been provided, the duties of the election inspectors who have conducted the election during the day cease on the closing of the polls and, upon the closing of the polls, the counting board assumes charge and control of the place of voting, the ballot boxes, the ballots, and all other equipment of the polling place and shall proceed with the counting of votes. The counting board shall perform all duties required by this act to be performed after the closing of the polls at an election by the board of election inspectors in a precinct that does not have a counting board, as provided in this section.
  (3) Section 662 applies to the designation and prescribing of the place or places in which the counting board performs its duties under this section.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.679a Receiving board; appointment and duties of inspectors; review of poll book and statement of returns; corrective action; delivery.

Sec. 679a.

  (1) The election commission of a city or township shall, by resolution, provide that at an election at which the ballots are counted and certified at the precinct, 1 or more additional boards of election inspectors be appointed to serve as receiving boards. For a precinct having receiving boards, the board of election commissioners shall appoint a receiving board consisting of 2 or more election inspectors, with an equal number from each major political party, and shall appoint an equal number of election inspectors from each major political party.
  (2) Not less than 2 election inspectors in a precinct, representing each of the major political parties, shall deliver to the receiving board for that precinct a sealed ballot container containing the voted ballots, and, in a separate sealed envelope, the poll book and statement of returns. The poll book and statement of returns may be enclosed in a single sealed envelope.
  (3) The receiving board shall open the sealed envelope and review the poll book and statement of returns to determine both of the following:
  (a) That the ballot container is properly sealed and the seal number is properly recorded in the poll book and the statement of returns. If the ballot container is not properly sealed or there is a discrepancy with the seal number recorded in the poll book or the statement of returns, the election inspectors who delivered the ballot container and the receiving board shall together take the necessary steps to correct the discrepancy. The election inspectors and the receiving board shall note the discrepancy and the corrective action in the remarks section of the poll book and all shall sign the notation.
  (b) That the number of individuals voting recorded in the poll book equals the number of ballots issued to electors, as shown by the statement of returns. If the number of individuals voting as shown by the poll book does not equal the number of ballots counted as shown by the statement of returns, and if an explanation of the discrepancy has not been noted in the poll book, the receiving board shall ask the election inspectors about the discrepancy, note the explanation in the poll book, and all shall sign the notation.
  (4) If the poll book or statement of returns has been erroneously sealed in the ballot container, the election inspectors may open the ballot container and remove the poll book or statement of returns. The elections inspectors and receiving board shall note the corrective action in the remarks section of the poll book and all shall sign the notation before placing the poll book or statement of returns in a separate sealed envelope. If the statement of returns was sealed in the ballot container and the poll book was sealed in an envelope, the poll book must be removed from the sealed envelope for the notation of corrective action to be recorded before placing the poll book and statement of returns in a sealed envelope. The receiving board shall notify the clerk of the board of canvassers responsible for canvassing all or a portion of the election of the corrective action taken.
  (5) When the receiving board has completed the review under subsection (3), the receiving board shall place the poll book and statement of returns in the appropriate envelope, sealed with a red paper seal and initialed by the receiving board. If permitted by the clerk of the board of canvassers, the poll books and statement of returns from more than 1 precinct may be included and delivered in a single envelope.


History: Add. 2004, Act 256, Imd. Eff. July 23, 2004 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 271, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.680 Precinct election inspectors; oath of office.

Sec. 680.

   Each precinct election inspector shall, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, take and subscribe the following constitutional oath of office, which oath any of the inspectors may administer: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of this state, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of inspector of elections according to the best of my ability."


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.681 Repealed. 1980, Act 188, Imd. Eff. July 3, 1980.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to right of precinct election inspectors to vote.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.682 Election officials; compensation.

Sec. 682.

  Any person employed as an inspector of election, or in any other official capacity at any election, primary election, or on any board of canvassers or board of registration, shall, except as otherwise specifically provided, receive reasonable compensation as allowed by the township board of any township, board of commissioners of any county, or the legislative body of any city, as applicable.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.683 Election inspectors; instruction, compensation, vacancy.

Sec. 683.

  Each county clerk before each primary and election shall, by some reliable means, notify the clerk of each township and city in the county of a training school for election inspectors to be held at a place designated by the county clerk within 20 days before each primary, general, and special election. The township and city clerks shall notify each election inspector appointed to serve at that election of the time and place of the training school. At the meeting, the county clerk shall instruct and demonstrate the manner in which the duties of election inspectors are required by law to be performed. It is the duty of the inspectors, so notified, to attend the meeting unless excused by the county clerk for good cause. Compensation may be paid to them by their respective municipalities at a rate as determined by the governing bodies. An election inspector shall not serve in any election unless he or she has within the last preceding 2 years either attended an election school or has passed satisfactorily an examination given by the election commission of the city or township in which appointed. The examination is subject to the approval of the secretary of state. This section does not prevent the appointment of an election inspector to fill a vacancy. This section does not prohibit any city or any township having a population of 10,000 or more from conducting its own training school for election inspectors of that city or township. If a city or township conducts its own training school, election inspectors who attend a city or township training school are not required to attend the county training school.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1962, Act 67, Eff. Mar. 28, 1963 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 159, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code



PREPARATION, PRINTING AND DELIVERY OF OFFICIAL BALLOTS


168.684 Repealed. 2017, Act 113, Eff. Oct. 25, 2017.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to preparation and adoption of vignette to be printed on official ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.685 Candidate of new political party; printing name on ballot; certificate; petitions; form; circulation; disqualification and requalification of party; "principal candidate of a political party" defined; party subject to MCL 168.686a; prohibited conduct; violations; misdemeanor; felony; penalties.

Sec. 685.

  (1) The name of a candidate of a new political party must not be printed upon the official ballots of an election unless the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee of the party files with the secretary of state, not later than 4 p.m. of the one hundred-tenth day before the general November election, a certificate signed by the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee bearing the name of the party, together with petitions bearing the signatures of registered and qualified electors equal to not less than 1% of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last election in which a governor was elected. The petitions must be signed by at least 100 registered electors in each of at least 1/2 of the congressional districts of this state. All signatures on the petitions must be obtained not more than 180 days immediately before the date of filing.
  (2) After the date on which a petition is filed, the secretary of state shall not accept additional petition sheets for that petition. The validity and authenticity of the signatures may be determined in the same manner as provided for initiative and referendum petitions in section 9 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. An official declaration of the sufficiency or insufficiency of a petition filed under this section must be made by the board of state canvassers not later than 60 days before the general November election.
  (3) The petitions must be in substantially the following form:
PETITION TO FORM NEW POLITICAL PARTY
We, the undersigned, duly registered electors of the
city, township of ................. county of ..................
(strike one)
state of Michigan, residing at the places set opposite our names, respectfully request the secretary of state, in accordance with section 685 of the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.685, to place the names of the candidates of the .................... party on the ballot at the .................... election.
Warning: A person who knowingly signs petitions to organize more than 1 new state political party, signs a petition to organize a new state political party more than once, or signs a name other than his or her own is violating the provisions of the Michigan election law.
................................
................................
................................
(4) The balance of the petition form must be substantially as set forth in section 544c. The size of all organizing petitions must be 8-1/2 inches by 13 inches and must be printed in the following type sizes: The words "petition to form new political party" and the name of the proposed political party must be in 24-point boldface type; the word "warning" and the language contained in the warning must be in 12-point boldface type.
  (5) Petitions circulated under this section may be circulated on a countywide basis. A petition that is circulated countywide must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state.
  (6) If the principal candidate of a political party receives a vote equal to less than 1% of the total number of votes cast for the successful candidate for the office of secretary of state at the last preceding general November election in which a secretary of state was elected, that political party shall not have the name of any candidate printed on the ballots at the next ensuing general November election, and a column must not be provided on the ballots for that party. A disqualified party may again qualify and have the names of its candidates printed in a separate party column on each election ballot in the manner set forth in subsection (1) for the qualification of new parties. As used in this subsection, "principal candidate of a political party" means the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes of all candidates of that political party for that election.
  (7) A political party that complied with this section is subject to section 686a in order to have the name of that party and its candidates appear on the general election ballot.
  (8) An individual shall not knowingly sign a petition to organize more than 1 new state political party or sign a petition to organize a new state political party more than once. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (9) An individual shall not do any of the following:
  (a) Sign a petition to form a new political party with a name other than his or her own.
  (b) Make a false statement in a certificate on a petition to form a new political party.
  (c) If not a circulator, sign a petition to form a new political party as a circulator.
  (d) Sign a name as circulator other than his or her own.
  (10) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (11), an individual who violates subsection (9) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 93 days, or both.
  (11) An individual shall not sign a petition to form a new political party with multiple names. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony.
  (12) If an individual signs a petition to form a new political party in violation of this section, any signature by that individual on the petition is invalid and must not be counted.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1961, Act 223, Eff. Sept. 8, 1961 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 56, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 312, Eff. Jan. 1, 1966 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 28, Imd. Eff. June 14, 1973 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 94, Imd. Eff. Apr. 22, 1976 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Eff. Nov. 9, 1988 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 329, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1990 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 399, Imd. Eff. May 30, 2002 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 113, Eff. Oct. 25, 2017 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 650, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Constitutionality: The Michigan supreme court, in Socialist Workers Party v. Secretary of State, 412 Mich. 571, 317 N.W.2d 1 (1982), held that Act No. 94 of the Public Acts of 1976, which amended this section, violates the first and fourteenth amendments and Const. 1963, Art. 1, § 2 and Art. 2, § 4.
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.686 State convention; canvass of returns; certification of nominees; presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Sec. 686.

   Within 24 hours after the conclusion of the state convention before a general election, the state central committee of each political party shall canvass the proceedings of the convention and determine the nominees of the convention. Not more than 1 business day after the state convention, the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee shall forward to the secretary of state, a typewritten or printed list of the names and residence, including the street address if known, of all candidates nominated at the state convention. In each presidential election year, the state central committee of each political party shall, not more than 1 business day after the state convention or the national convention of that party, whichever is later, forward to the secretary of state the typewritten or printed names of the candidates of that party for the offices of president of the United States and vice-president of the United States certified to by the chairperson and secretary of the committees. A party is not required to certify nominations made at an official primary election. The secretary of state shall forward a copy of a list received under this section to the board of election commissioners of each county, in care of the county clerk at the county seat.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1961, Act 223, Eff. Sept. 8, 1961 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 284, Imd. Eff. Jan. 8, 2004
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001—AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:—Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.—Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.—Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.—Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.—Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.—Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.686a Nomination by caucus or convention where no candidate polls 5% of vote cast for candidates for secretary of state.

Sec. 686a.

  (1) If a political party entitled to a position on the ballot failed to have at least 1 candidate who polled at least 5% of the total vote cast for all candidates for secretary of state at the last preceding election at which a secretary of state was elected, candidates for that political party shall be nominated as provided in section 532. County caucuses and state conventions for such political parties shall be held not later than the August primary.
  (2) County caucuses may nominate candidates for the office of representative in congress, state senator, and state representative if the offices represent districts contained wholly within the county, and for all county and township offices. Not more than 1 business day after the conclusion of the caucus, the names and mailing addresses of all candidates so nominated and the offices for which they were nominated shall be certified by the chairperson and secretary of the caucus to the county clerk. The certification shall be accompanied by an affidavit of identity for each candidate named in the certificate as provided in section 558 and a separate written certificate of acceptance of nomination signed by each candidate named on the certificate. The form of the certificate of acceptance shall be prescribed by the secretary of state. If a candidate is so certified with the accompanying affidavit of identity and certificate of acceptance, the name of the candidate shall be printed on the ballot for that election. Candidates nominated and certified shall not be permitted to withdraw.
  (3) The county caucus may also select the number of delegates to the state convention to which the county is entitled and shall select its own officers and name its own county committee.
  (4) The state convention shall be held at the time and place indicated in the call. The convention shall consist of delegates selected by the county caucuses. The convention may fill vacancies in a delegation from qualified electors of that county present at the convention. The convention may nominate candidates for all state offices. District candidates may be nominated at district caucuses held in conjunction with the state convention attended by qualified delegates of the district. If delegates of a district are not present, a district caucus shall not be held for that district and candidates shall not be nominated for that district. Not more than 1 business day after the conclusion of the convention, the names and mailing addresses of the candidates nominated for state or district offices shall be certified by the chairperson and secretary of the state convention to the secretary of state. The certification shall be accompanied by an affidavit of identity for each candidate named in the certificate as provided in section 558 and a separate written certificate of acceptance of nomination signed by each candidate named on the certificate. The form of the certificate of acceptance shall be prescribed by the secretary of state. The names of candidates so certified with accompanying affidavit of identity and certificate of acceptance shall be printed on the ballot for the forthcoming election. Candidates so nominated and certified shall not be permitted to withdraw.


History: Add. 1961, Act 223, Eff. Sept. 8, 1961 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 28, Imd. Eff. June 14, 1973 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 3, Imd. Eff. Feb. 3, 1976 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 116, Eff. Nov. 9, 1988 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.686b Nonmajor political party; notice of county caucus or state convention.

Sec. 686b.

  A political party that is not a major political party, as defined in section 16, and that is required to nominate candidates at a county caucus or state convention shall, at least 10 days before holding the county caucus or state convention to nominate candidates, notify in writing the secretary of state and the bureau of elections of the date, time, and location of the county caucus or state convention of that political party.


History: Add. 2012, Act 272, Imd. Eff. July 3, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.687 Certification of nominations by board of canvassers.

Sec. 687.

   The board of canvassers, whose duty it is to determine who are nominated for public office at any official primary election, shall forthwith, upon such determination, certify the nomination as follows:
   For an office to be filled by the electors of the state at large, to the board of election commissioners of each county and to the secretary of state;
   For a district office, to the board of election commissioners of each county, the whole or part of which county forms a part of the district, or to the board of election commissioners of the county, a part of which forms the district and to the secretary of state;
   For a county office, to the board of election commissioners of the county; and
   For a city or ward office, to the board of election commissioners of the city.
   Each certificate shall set forth the name of the candidate, the office for which and the party on whose ticket he was nominated and, if for a district office, shall designate the district.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1961, Act 223, Eff. Sept. 8, 1961
Popular Name: Election Code





168.688 Certificates of nomination; delivery.

Sec. 688.

   All certificates of nomination required to be made to the board of election commissioners of any county shall be delivered to the county clerk, or forwarded to him by registered or certified mail with return receipt demanded, and such county clerk shall deliver such certificate to the county board of election commissioners at its first meeting thereafter.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956
Popular Name: Election Code





168.689 Official ballots; preparation, printing.

Sec. 689.

   The board of election commissioners of each county shall prepare the official ballots for use at any state, district or county election held therein, and shall have printed a sufficient number of ballots containing the names of all candidates properly certified to said board of election commissioners, and ballots for all proposed constitutional amendments or other questions to be submitted at such election to supply each election precinct in such county with a sufficient number for such precinct, and not less than 25% more than the total number of votes cast therein at the corresponding election held 4 years previous for the office which received the greatest number of votes.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.690 Official ballots; delivery to township or city clerks; duties.

Sec. 690.

  The township or city board of election commissioners for each jurisdiction conducting the election shall have the ballots required for a regular or special township, village, city, school, or community college election, or official primary election for the nomination of candidates for township, city, ward, or community college offices, to be printed and delivered to the election commission's township or city clerk at least 45 days before the election. The duties imposed upon county boards of election commissioners and upon county, township, and city clerks relative to the printing, counting, packaging, sealing, and delivery of official ballots are imposed upon the township and municipal boards of election commissioners and the township or city clerks relative to the printing, counting, packaging, sealing, and delivery of official ballots for use in each precinct of the township or city at a municipal, township, village, school, or community college election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.691 Official ballots; names of candidates; identification numeral; compliance.

Sec. 691.

  (1) Each board of election commissioners shall have printed on the ballot, or on ballot labels or slips to be placed on a voting machine, when used, the names of the candidates certified to that board under this act. A candidate's name shall not be placed or printed in more than 1 column on the ballot for the same office. A board of election commissioners for a county or city may arrange the ballots with an identification numeral placed in the same space with the name of each of the candidates. That identification numeral shall be rotated with the name of the candidate, and when rotated, shall appear in the same space with the same candidate regardless of where the candidate's name appears on the ballot.
  (2) The name of a candidate appearing on a ballot shall comply with sections 560b and 561.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Apr. 9, 2002
Popular Name: Election Code





168.692 Nomination by more than 1 party; choice; nomination for more than 1 office.

Sec. 692.

   Any person nominated at a primary election by more than 1 political party, or certified as a nominee by more than 1 political party, or nominated by 1 political party and thereafter certified as a nominee by another political party, shall be notified of such dual nominations by registered or certified mail with a return receipt demanded, by the county clerk, or clerks of the several counties affected if for a state or district office, immediately upon certification to him of such nominations by the board of canvassers or by the party committees, as the case may be. Such person shall, within 3 days after the receipt of said notification, advise the county clerk or clerks in writing in which political party column it is desired that his or her name be printed or placed on the ballots or voting machines for the ensuing election. Any person who has been certified for more than 1 office, except where 2 or more offices may be legally combined, shall be notified in a like manner and shall, within 3 days of receipt thereof, advise the county clerk or clerks of the particular office for which he desires to be a candidate.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956
Popular Name: Election Code





168.692a Qualifying petition not to be filed by certain persons.

Sec. 692a.

   A person who files a partisan nominating petition or filing fee as a candidate of a political party, or who is nominated by a political party convention, committee, or caucus and accepts the nomination, shall not file a qualifying petition under chapter XXIVA for an office to be elected at that election or at an election held during the same calendar year.


History: Add. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988
Compiler's Notes: Section 2 of Act 116 of 1988 provides:“If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances shall be found to be invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act which can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.693 Nomination by more than 1 party or for more than 1 office; failure to make choice; procedure.

Sec. 693.

   Any person nominated at a primary or certified as a candidate by more than 1 political party for the same office, or for more than 1 office, except where 2 or more offices may be legally combined, who fails to designate the particular office sought and the party column in which it is desired that his or her name be printed or placed on the ballots or voting machines for the ensuing election, as herein provided, shall have his or her name printed or placed on said ballots or voting machines by the proper board of election commissioners in the following manner:
  (1) Should such candidate's name have been certified by more than 1 political party, it shall be printed or placed in the column of that party first making certification;
  (2) Should such candidate be nominated at a primary by 1 political party pursuant to the filing of petitions and be certified as a candidate by another party for the same office, or for more than 1 office, except where 2 or more offices may be legally combined, such candidate's name shall be printed or placed on the ballots or voting machines in the party column and for that office for which petitions were filed; or
  (3) Should the name of such candidate be written or placed on the primary election ballots or voting machines for the same office, or for more than 1 office, except where 2 or more offices may be legally combined, by the electors of more than 1 political party without petitions having been filed or certification made, then the name of such candidate shall be printed or placed on the ballots or voting machines for the office and in the column of that party casting the greatest number of votes for such candidate at the preceding primary election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.694 Applicability of certain sections.

Sec. 694.

  Sections 691, 692, 693, and 695 apply to all city, village, and township elections held in this state under this act, except that the notice required to be given by a candidate shall, in case of a city, village, or township office, be given by him or her to the proper city or township board of election commissioners within 2 days after his or her name is certified as nominated by 2 or more political parties for the same office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.695 Ineligibility of candidate at subsequent election.

Sec. 695.

   No person whose name was printed or placed on the primary ballots or voting machines as a candidate for nomination on the primary ballots of 1 political party shall be eligible as a candidate of any other political party at the election following that primary.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.696 Printing name of candidate for federal, state, district, county, and township offices on 1 ballot; placement; filing request for clarifying designation of same or similar surnames; notice of determination; appeal; printing occupation, date of birth, or residence of candidate; incumbency designation; guidelines.

Sec. 696.

  (1) The board of election commissioners in each county shall have the name of each candidate for federal, state, district, county, and township offices at an election printed on 1 ballot, separate from any other ballot. The name of each candidate of each political party must be placed under the name of the office for which the candidate was certified to have been nominated along with the political party name under the candidate's name.
  (2) If, in a district that is a county or entirely within 1 county, 2 or more candidates nominated by the same political party or by different political parties for the same office, or nonpartisan candidates for the same office, have the same or similar surnames, a candidate may file a written request with the board of county election commissioners for a clarifying designation. The request must be filed not later than 3 days after the certification of the relevant candidates. Not later than 3 days after the filing of the request, the board of county election commissioners shall determine whether a similarity exists and whether a clarifying designation should be granted. In a district located in more than 1 county, the board of state canvassers shall make a determination whether to grant a clarifying designation upon the written request of a candidate who is certified by the secretary of state. The request must be filed with the board of state canvassers not later than 3 days after the board of state canvassers completes the canvass of the primary election in compliance with section 581 and the certification of nominees in compliance with section 687. The board of state canvassers shall make its determination not later than 3 days after the request is filed.
  (3) In each instance, the determining board shall immediately notify each candidate for the same office as the requester that a request for a clarifying designation has been made and of the date, time, and place of the hearing. The requester and each candidate for the same office must be notified of the board's determination by first-class mail sent within 24 hours after the final date for the determination. A candidate who is dissatisfied with the determination of the board of county election commissioners may file an appeal in the circuit court of the county where the board is located. A candidate who is dissatisfied with the determination of the board of state canvassers may file an appeal in the Ingham County circuit court. The appeal must be filed within 14 days after the final date for determination by the board. The court shall hear the matter de novo. Except as provided in subsection (4), in the case of the same surname or of a final determination by the board or by the court before the latest date that the board can arrange for the ballot printing of the existence of similarity, the board shall print the occupation, date of birth, or residence of each of the candidates having the same or similar surnames on the ballot or ballot labels or slips to be placed on the voting machine, when used, under their respective names. The request may not be made by a candidate of a political party whose candidate for secretary of state received less than 10% of the total vote cast in the state for all candidates for secretary of state in the most recent November election in which a secretary of state was elected. As used in this subsection, "occupation" includes a currently held political office, even though it is not the candidate's principal occupation, but does not include reference to a previous position or occupation.
  (4) If there are 2 candidates with the same or similar surnames and 1 of the candidates is entitled to an incumbency designation by section 24 of article VI of the state constitution of 1963, no other designation shall be provided for the other candidate with the same or similar surname. If there are more than 2 candidates with the same or similar surname and 1 of the candidates is entitled to an incumbency designation by section 24 of article VI of the state constitution of 1963, a clarifying designation may be given to the other candidates with the same or similar surname. Except for an incumbency designation under section 24 of article VI of the state constitution of 1963, if 2 or more candidates with the same or similar surnames are related, the board shall only print the residence or date of birth of each of the candidates as a clarifying designation. As used in this subsection, "related" means that the candidates with the same or similar surnames are related within the third degree of consanguinity.
  (5) The board of state canvassers shall issue guidelines to ensure fairness and uniformity in the granting of designations and may issue guidelines relating to what constitutes the same or similar surnames. The board of state canvassers and the boards of county election commissioners shall follow the guidelines.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 328, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1966 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 36, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 260, Imd. Eff. Aug. 12, 1976 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Apr. 9, 2002 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 113, Eff. Oct. 25, 2017
Compiler's Notes: This section was also amended by Act 240 of 1964, but that act was disapproved by the voters at the November election in 1964.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.697 General November election; order of placing offices on ballot.

Sec. 697.

  At the general November election, the names of the several offices to be voted for must be placed on the ballot substantially in the following order in the years in which elections for those offices are held: Electors of President and Vice President of the United States; governor and lieutenant governor; secretary of state; attorney general; United States Senator; Representative in Congress; senator and representative in the state legislature; members of the state board of education; regents of the University of Michigan; trustees of Michigan State University; governors of Wayne State University; county executive; prosecuting attorney; sheriff; clerk; treasurer; register of deeds; mine inspector in counties electing a mine inspector; county road commissioners; drain commissioners; coroners; and surveyor. The following township officers must be placed on the same ballot as above described in substantially the following order in the year in which elections for those offices are held: supervisor, clerk, treasurer, trustees, and constables.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 88, Imd. Eff. Apr. 5, 1956 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 56, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 131, Imd. Eff. July 8, 1965 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 58, Imd. Eff. June 7, 1966 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 260, Imd. Eff. Aug. 12, 1976 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 226, Eff. Sept. 24, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.698 Repealed. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955;—1955, Act 283, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1955.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for a separate presidential ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.699 Nonpartisan offices; placement on separate portion of ballot; order of listing offices.

Sec. 699.

  At any regular election, the names of the several nonpartisan offices to be voted for shall be placed on a separate portion of the ballot containing no party designation in the following order: justices of the supreme court, judges of the court of appeals, judges of the circuit court, judges of the probate court, judges of the district court, community college board of trustees member, intermediate school district board member, city officers, the following village officers in substantially the following order in the year in which elections for the offices are held: president, clerk, treasurer, and trustees, and in a year in which an election for the office is held, local school district board member, metropolitan district officer, and district library board member.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 56, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 297, Imd. Eff. July 23, 2004 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.700 Repealed. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 56, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to placement of names on ballot at biennial spring election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.701 Repealed. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 56, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to placement of names on ballot at biennial spring election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.702 Official ballots; placing of name to fill vacancy.

Sec. 702.

   The name of a candidate to fill a vacancy in any office shall be placed in the appropriate place on the ballot, regard being had to its being a state, congressional, legislative or county office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.703 Official ballots; position of parties.

Sec. 703.

   The ticket of the party having the greatest number of votes in the state at the last election in which a secretary of state was elected, as shown by the votes cast thereat for secretary of state, shall be placed first on the ballot, the position of other party tickets to be governed relatively by the same rule.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 56, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code





168.703a Repealed. 1988, Act 116, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to listing of candidates and incumbents on official ballots.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.704 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to size of voting squares or circles on official ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.705 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to printing, numbering, and color of ballots.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.706 Official ballot; arrangement; basis.

Sec. 706.

  The arrangement of the ballot containing the names of candidates for office shall be prescribed by the secretary of state based upon the voting equipment being used in each county.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 56, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 160, Imd. Eff. Nov. 20, 1985 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012
Compiler's Notes: This section was amended by Act 240 of 1964, but that act was disapproved by the voters in the November, 1964, election.Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001—AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:—Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.—Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.—Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.—Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.—Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.—Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.707 Repealed. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to certification of ballot form relating to proposed constitutional amendment or other proposition to be submitted to electors.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.708 Proposed constitutional amendment or question; statement of purpose, publication.

Sec. 708.

   The secretary of state shall duly prepare a concise statement setting forth the nature of any such proposed amendment or other proposition and shall send copies of said statement to the several daily and weekly newspapers published in the state, prior to the election, with a request that said papers give as wide publicity as possible to said proposed amendment or other proposition. Publication of any matter by any paper under the provisions of this section shall be without expense or cost to the state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.709 Proposed constitutional amendment or question; statement of purpose, copies to voting precincts, posting.

Sec. 709.

   The secretary of state shall also furnish the several county clerks in the state at least 2 copies of each such statement on paper suitable for posting for each voting precinct in their respective counties. The county clerk shall furnish the said copies of such statement to the several city and township clerks in his county at the time other supplies for the election are furnished, and said city and township clerks shall, before the opening of the polls on election day, deliver 2 copies of such statement to each voting precinct in his city or township, to the board of election inspectors of said precinct, who shall post the same in conspicuous places in the room where such election is held.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.710 Proposed constitutional amendment or question; proof copies of ballots, filing, public inspection.

Sec. 710.

  The county board of election commissioners shall place on file at the office of the county clerk, at least 58 days before any election, a proof copy of the official ballot containing the names of candidates for public office to be voted for at the election. The proof copies must be open for public inspection.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 94, Imd. Eff. June 14, 2022
Popular Name: Election Code





168.711 Filing and mailing proof copies of ballots; affidavit; certification; correction and printing of ballots; forwarding copy to secretary of state.

Sec. 711.

  (1) At the time of filing the proof copy of the ballot at the office of the county clerk, the county board of election commissioners shall direct the county clerk to send by first-class mail a proof copy of the official ballot to each candidate whose name appears on the ballot to the candidate's address listed on his or her affidavit of identity. If a candidate provides an email address on his or her affidavit of identity, the county clerk may also send a proof copy of the ballot to the candidate by email.
  (2) The county clerk shall prepare and sign an affidavit when sending proof ballots that attests to all of the following:
  (a) Proof ballots were mailed as required.
  (b) The names of the candidates who were mailed proof ballots.
  (c) Each address to which the proof ballots were mailed.
  (d) The date or dates proof ballots were mailed.
  (3) The county board of election commissioners shall also direct the county clerk to send proof ballots by email to the secretary of state who shall immediately approve and certify the ballot or notify the county clerk of any correction.
  (4) If a candidate desires to correct an error on the ballot, the candidate shall contact the county clerk by telephone or email with the corrections. All corrections must be received by the county clerk no later than 4 p.m. on the fifth business day after the proof copy of the ballot is mailed to each candidate as provided in subsection (1). After 4 p.m. on the fifth business day after the county clerk mails the proof copy of the ballot to each candidate as provided in subsection (1), the county clerk is authorized to begin printing the ballots.
  (5) The county clerk shall email a copy of the corrected ballot to the secretary of state.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 113, Imd. Eff. May 29, 1984 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 94, Imd. Eff. June 14, 2022
Popular Name: Election Code





168.712 Ballots; omissions or mistakes; reprinting.

Sec. 712.

  If the name of any candidate regularly certified to the board of election commissioners is omitted from the ballots, or if it is found that a mistake has been made in the printing of the name of any candidate on the ballot, the board of election commissioners shall have the ballots reprinted with the candidate's name on the ballots.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.713 Delivery of ballots and supplies to county clerk.

Sec. 713.

  The county board of election commissioners shall cause the ballots required for any regular or special election or official primary election in the county, wrapped and tied as required by this act, to be delivered to the county clerk at the earliest possible time after the approval of the proof of the ballots, and absent voter ballots shall be delivered to the county clerk at least 47 days before any election or primary election. All other ballots and election supplies shall be delivered to the county clerk at least 12 days before any election or primary election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 171, Imd. Eff. Apr. 16, 1956 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 51, Imd. Eff. Apr. 22, 2010
Popular Name: Election Code





168.714 Delivery of ballots and supplies to township and city clerks; receipt of delivery; deadlines.

Sec. 714.

  (1) The county clerk of each county, at the earliest possible time and at least 45 days before a regular election or special election in the county, shall cause to be delivered to the clerk of each township and city in the county the absent voter ballots for each precinct.
  (2) The county clerk of each county shall cause to be delivered 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.
  (3) The county clerk shall take receipt from each township and city clerk for all ballots and supplies delivered to that clerk.
  (4) Each city, township, and village clerk shall adhere to the deadlines provided in this section for elections in which the county does not print the ballots.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 171, Imd. Eff. Apr. 16, 1956 ;-- Am. 1981, Act 61, Imd. Eff. June 5, 1981 ;-- Am. 1981, Act 127, Imd. Eff. Sept. 29, 1981 ;-- Am. 1981, Act 140, Imd. Eff. Oct. 30, 1981 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 12, 1990 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 43, Imd. Eff. Mar. 31, 2010
Popular Name: Election Code





168.715 Absent voters' and other ballots; duties of township and city clerks, delivery to voting precinct boards of election inspectors.

Sec. 715.

   It shall be the duty of county, city and township clerks to keep safeguarded all official ballots for absent voters' use. The said township or city clerk shall have the right to open the package or packages of absent voter ballots received by him for any precinct in his township or city, provided he shall receive application for absent voter ballots from any qualified elector of such precinct, but not otherwise. He shall in no case open any of the other packages of official ballots but shall keep them intact in some safe and secure place, and shall deliver them and other election supplies, together with the absent voter ballots remaining in his possession, to the chairman or some member of the board of inspectors of election of the proper precinct or precincts of his township or city, as the case may be, before 7 o'clock in the forenoon of the day of election. On delivery of said ballots to the chairman or some other member of the board of election, said clerk shall take a receipt therefor, which receipt he shall file in his office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.716 Absent voters' and other ballots; wrapping, sealing.

Sec. 716.

   The ballots of each kind for each election precinct shall be wrapped and secured in 2 separate packages. Each package shall be securely sealed with a red paper seal furnished by the secretary of state and shall bear on its wrapper the name and number of the precinct and a certificate signed by the county clerk or some member of the board of county election commissioners or his or its duly authorized agent, setting forth the number and kind of ballots in such package and that such ballots were counted, packaged and sealed by himself personally, or by his duly authorized agent.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.717 Absent voters' ballots; numbering, packaging, marking.

Sec. 717.

   At least 3% of the total number of ballots of each kind to which each precinct is entitled, together with such additional number as the county clerk, upon a proper showing by the respective township or city clerks, may deem to be necessary, beginning with ballot No. 1 and including the consecutive numbers thereafter, shall be enclosed in 1 package, as many as are necessary thereof to be used for absent voters as provided by law: Provided, however, That such county clerk may deliver to each township or city clerk a sufficient number of each kind of such absent voters' ballots for each township and city in the county with numbers higher than those on any other ballots delivered to such township or city clerk, in which case the unused absent voters' ballots of such higher numbers shall remain in the possession of the clerk for contingencies, and further reference had in this act to the disposition of absent voters' ballots bearing the regular precinct numbers shall not apply to such ballots. Each package of absent voters' ballots shall be plainly marked on the outside, "Absent voters' ballots". The remainder of the ballots of each kind for such precinct shall be enclosed in a second package, sealed as above provided.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.717a Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to absent voters' ballots.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.718 Official ballots; printer, acts prohibited; instruction ballots, printing.

Sec. 718.

   It shall not be lawful for the printer of official ballots for use at any election, or any other person, to give or deliver any of said ballots to, or knowingly permit any of said ballots to be taken by, any person other than the board of election commissioners for which such ballots are being printed; or to print, or cause or permit to be printed, any ballots in any other form than the one prescribed by this act, or with any other name thereon, or with the names misspelled, or the names, devices or designs therein arranged in any other way than that authorized and directed by the said board of election commissioners; but it shall be lawful for said board of election commissioners and upon its authorization for the chairman and candidates named on the official ballots to procure any number of facsimiles thereof to be printed on red, yellow or blue paper and to circulate the same for the purpose of the instruction of voters. Said colored facsimiles shall have printed at the head the words "Instruction Ballot".


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.719 City and township election commissions; party committees; duties; proof of ballot; public inspection.

Sec. 719.

  The election commission of each city and township shall perform those duties relative to the preparation, printing, and delivery of ballots as are required by law of the boards of county election commissioners. The duties and privileges enjoined and granted by this act upon and to the various committees of the different political organizations are prescribed for county committees in matters pertaining to any city or township election, except that it is not necessary for a county committee of a political party or organization to furnish a heading for the ballots other than to designate the name of the party or political organization that they represent. In cities and townships, the names of candidates for city or township offices must be given by the county committees of the various political organizations to the board of election commissioners of the city or township not less than 18 days before each election, but it is not necessary for any county party committee to give to the board of election commissioners the name of any candidate nominated at an official primary election. The proof of the ballot must be open to public inspection at the office of the township or city clerk not less than 15 days before the election.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 113, Eff. Oct. 25, 2017 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 104, Imd. Eff. June 16, 2022
Popular Name: Election Code



CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS AND MANNER OF VOTING


168.720 Polls; times of opening and closing.

Sec. 720.

   On the day of any election, the polls shall be opened at 7 o'clock in the forenoon, and shall be continuously open until 8 o'clock in the afternoon and no longer. Every qualified elector present and in line at the polls at the hour prescribed for the closing thereof shall be allowed to vote.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.720a Definitions for MCL 168.720b to 168.720j.

Sec. 720a.

  As used in sections 720b to 720j:
  (a) "County agreement" means an agreement, or any amendment to the agreement, between 1 or more municipalities located in whole or in part in the same county and the county clerk of that county authorizing the county clerk of the county to conduct early voting for each municipality that is a party to the agreement, with the assistance of, and in consultation with, the clerk of each municipality that is a party to the agreement.
  (b) "Early voting" means casting a ballot in person before election day in the same manner as a ballot is cast on election day, including depositing the ballot into a tabulator.
  (c) "Early voting plan" means a document and any addenda to the document outlining the manner in which early voting will be provided.
  (d) "Early voting poll book" means the poll book utilized in early voting to create the poll list of registered electors voting at an early voting site and to comply with all statutory requirements of a poll book in an election. An early voting poll book may be electronic or a combination of electronic and paper, as prescribed by the secretary of state.
  (e) "Early voting site" means a location where early voting occurs and that meets both of the following requirements:
  (i) Is open for at least 9 consecutive days of early voting beginning on the second Saturday before a statewide or federal election and ending on the Sunday before a statewide or federal election.
  (ii) Is open for at least 8 hours each day during the required 9 consecutive days of early voting.
  (f) "Municipal agreement" means an agreement, or any amendment to the agreement, between 2 or more municipalities located in whole or in part in the same county to jointly conduct early voting.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.720b Right to vote at early voting site; timing requirements.

Sec. 720b.

  (1) A registered and qualified elector in this state has the right to vote in person in each statewide and federal election at an early voting site before election day. An elector at an early voting site has the same rights and is subject to the same requirements as an elector at a polling place on election day.
  (2) Early voting must be provided in each statewide and federal election for at least 9 consecutive days beginning on the second Saturday before the statewide or federal election and ending on the Sunday before the statewide or federal election, and must be provided for at least 8 hours each day during the required 9 consecutive days of early voting.
  (3) Beginning January 1, 2026, early voting may be offered on the Monday before an election. The early voting on that Monday must end no later than 4 p.m.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.720c Secretary of state implementation and duties; early voting requirements; guidance and instruction to election officials.

Sec. 720c.

  (1) The secretary of state shall supervise the implementation and conduct of early voting required under section 4(1)(m) of article II of the state constitution of 1963 to provide each elector an opportunity to cast a ballot in person before each statewide or federal election.
  (2) For early voting required under section 4(1)(m) of article II of the state constitution of 1963, the secretary of state shall do all of the following:
  (a) Issue instructions and procedures to county and municipal election officials on the administration and conduct of early voting.
  (b) Advise and direct county and municipal election officials on conducting early voting.
  (c) Develop, acquire, or approve new technology for the early voting poll book to efficiently and securely implement, administer, and conduct early voting.
  (d) Create a model municipal agreement template and model county agreement template, and ensure that each template can be completed online by a county or municipality.
  (e) Create model early voting plan templates for municipalities to complete, and ensure that each template can be electronically transmitted to the bureau of elections.
  (f) Create model countywide early voting plan templates for county clerks to complete, and ensure that each template can be electronically transmitted to the bureau of elections.
  (g) Evaluate new voting system technology that produces ballots on demand or that may be used to cast and tabulate early voting ballots, and, if appropriate, submit new technology to the board of state canvassers for approval under section 795a.
  (3) The secretary of state shall provide resources to county and municipal election officials that prevent an elector from intentionally or inadvertently casting more than 1 ballot at an election, including, but not limited to, an elector casting more than 1 ballot at 1 or more early voting sites or an elector casting an absent voter ballot and a ballot at an early voting site. The resources required may be technological, procedural, or a combination of both technological and procedural.
  (4) The secretary of state shall provide guidance to county and municipal election officials regarding the process for securing equipment and ballots at the conclusion of each day of early voting.
  (5) The secretary of state shall issue instructions regarding ballots produced by an on-demand ballot printing system and that are subject to challenge.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.720d Local administration of early voting; agreements; notice.

Sec. 720d.

  (1) Each municipality shall administer early voting under 1 of the following provisions:
  (a) Conduct early voting as a single municipality separate from any other municipality as provided under section 720e.
  (b) Enter into a municipal agreement and jointly conduct early voting with 1 or more other municipalities located in the same county as provided under section 720f.
  (c) Enter into a county agreement and authorize the county clerk of the county in which that municipality is located to conduct early voting for 1 or more municipalities located in that county, with the assistance of, and in consultation with, the clerk of each municipality that is a party to the county agreement as provided under section 720g.
  (2) Subject to subsection (4), no later than 155 days before the first regularly scheduled statewide or federal election in an even numbered year, the clerk of each county shall notify the clerk of each municipality in that county regarding whether the county clerk intends to conduct early voting through a county agreement. No later than 150 days before the first regularly scheduled statewide or federal election in an even numbered year, the clerk of each municipality shall notify the county clerk of the county in which that municipality is located regarding whether the municipality intends to enter into a municipal agreement or a county agreement, or whether the municipality intends to conduct early voting as a single municipality separate from any other municipality.
  (3) Subject to subsection (4), no later than 125 days before the first regularly scheduled statewide or federal election to be held in an even numbered year, the municipal clerks entering into a municipal agreement, and the municipal clerks and county clerk of each county entering into a county agreement, must finalize and sign those agreements. No later than 90 days before a special statewide or federal election, the municipal clerks entering into a municipal agreement, and the municipal clerks and county clerk of each county entering into a county agreement, must finalize and sign those agreements.
  (4) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3), a municipality that conducts early voting as a single municipality under section 720e for a presidential primary election may, no later than April 15 of the year in which that presidential primary election is held, enter into a municipal agreement under section 720f or a county agreement under section 720g for the remaining statewide and federal elections to be held in that year and the following year, and for any other elections included in the municipal agreement or county agreement. The municipal agreement or county agreement entered into under this subsection may be a new agreement, or an amendment to an existing agreement that was in effect for the presidential primary election if all of the parties to the agreement agree to the amendment.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.720e Single municipality; administration of early voting without agreement; designation at polling place; appointment of election inspectors; additional voting days; local elections; resolution.

Sec. 720e.

  (1) The clerk of a municipality that does not enter into a municipal agreement or county agreement for conducting early voting is responsible for administering early voting in that municipality.
  (2) Each early voting site for a municipality described in subsection (1) must be designated in the same manner as polling places are designated in section 662. Each elector registered in the municipality may engage in early voting at any early voting site in that municipality.
  (3) The board of election commissioners of a municipality described in subsection (1) shall, in accordance with section 674, appoint election inspectors for each early voting site in that municipality.
  (4) For each federal and statewide election, each municipality described in subsection (1) must have 1 or more early voting sites. In addition, the clerk of the municipality described in subsection (1) may set additional hours for early voting on any of the required 9 consecutive days of early voting as described in section 720b.
  (5) The clerk of a municipality described in subsection (1) may also offer early voting on additional days beyond the required 9 consecutive days as described in section 720b. The clerk of the municipality may set the hours for those additional days of early voting without regard to the hours on the required 9 consecutive days of early voting described in section 720b. Additional days of early voting as described in this subsection must take place on or after the twenty-ninth day before an election.
  (6) The legislative body of a municipality described in subsection (1) may adopt a resolution to conduct early voting in an election held in that municipality that is not a statewide or federal election, and early voting for that election must be conducted under the requirements of this section, except that the required 9 consecutive days of early voting beginning on the second Saturday before the election and ending on the Sunday before the election, and the required minimum of 8 hours of early voting each day, do not apply.
  (7) If a municipality has 250 or more precincts, each ballot form that contains identical offices and names may be considered a separate precinct for purposes of early voting.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.720f Municipal agreement requirements; appointment of coordinator and election inspectors; early voting poll book; days and hours of early voting; withdrawal from agreement.

Sec. 720f.

  (1) The secretary of state shall prescribe the provisions that must be included in a municipal agreement. The provisions must include, at a minimum, all of the following:
  (a) The name of each municipality that is a party to the agreement.
  (b) The number of precincts in each participating municipality.
  (c) The name of the coordinator who will organize and monitor the administrative requirements of early voting for the participating municipalities.
  (d) The process for approving early voting sites, in accordance with section 662, by 1 or more legislative bodies of the participating municipalities.
  (e) The board of election commissioners of the participating municipalities that will appoint, pursuant to section 674, the election inspectors for each early voting site.
  (f) The process for approving early voting hours for the required 9 consecutive days of early voting, and the process for approving any additional days and hours of early voting.
  (g) The communication strategy for informing electors of the opportunity for early voting, and for publicizing each early voting site, along with the dates and hours of operation of each early voting site.
  (h) The process to ensure that the secretary of state has the information necessary to include the location, along with the dates and hours of operation, of each early voting site on the department of state's website.
  (i) The process for developing the early voting budget and cost sharing procedures.
  (j) The process for determining the number of tabulators and early voting poll books that are necessary at each early voting site and the name of each municipality that will provide those tabulators and early voting poll books.
  (k) The name of the board of election commissioners that will conduct testing of the electronic voting equipment.
  (l) The name of the clerk who shall download the early voting poll book.
  (m) The supervision and staffing of each early voting site on each day of early voting.
  (n) Information on how a receiving board or group of election inspectors will be appointed to canvass the early vote returns on election day and report early voting results to the county clerk.
  (o) The process for a participating municipality to withdraw from the agreement.
  (2) The clerks of the municipalities that are participating in a municipal agreement shall appoint a coordinator to organize and monitor the administrative requirements of early voting. The coordinator must be a clerk, or a member of the clerk's staff, of a municipality that is a party to the agreement. The coordinator shall provide oversight to ensure sufficient resources are available and are timely dispatched to each early voting site. The coordinator shall develop the early voting plan and the early voting budget for each election.
  (3) The clerks of the municipalities that are participating in a municipal agreement shall designate a participating municipal clerk to download the early voting poll book.
  (4) In accordance with section 662, the coordinator shall submit each early voting site to the legislative body of the municipality or municipalities designated by the municipal agreement for approval.
  (5) A participating municipal clerk shall recruit election inspectors at the request of the coordinator, or shall provide the coordinator with the list of election inspectors for that clerk's municipality. The board of election commissioners of a municipality recruiting the election inspectors, or of any other municipality that is a party to the agreement, shall, in accordance with section 674, appoint election inspectors for early voting.
  (6) The clerks of the municipalities that are participating in a municipal agreement shall appoint a municipal clerk to act as supervisor for each day of early voting. The supervisor shall operate in the same manner as a municipal clerk does for an election day polling place. A supervisor may delegate the supervisor's duties to a member of the supervisor's staff.
  (7) For each federal and statewide election, there must be 1 or more early voting sites that are open to all the registered electors of each municipality that is a party to the municipal agreement.
  (8) The clerks of the municipalities that are participating in a municipal agreement may also agree to jointly offer early voting on additional days beyond the required 9 consecutive days as described in section 720b. The clerks may set the hours for those additional days of early voting without regard to the required hours for early voting on the 9 consecutive days of early voting described in section 720b. Additional days of early voting as described in this subsection must take place on or after the twenty-ninth day before an election.
  (9) The legislative body of a municipality that is a party to a municipal agreement may adopt a resolution to conduct early voting in an election to be held in the municipality that is not a statewide or federal election. If a municipality adopts a resolution as provided in this subsection, the clerk of that municipality shall conduct early voting for that election as provided under section 720e.
  (10) The legislative body of each municipality that is a party to a municipal agreement may enter into an agreement to jointly conduct early voting in an election that involves more than 1 of the municipalities in the municipal agreement and that is not a statewide or federal election. Early voting in those elections must be conducted under the requirements of this section, except that the required minimum of 9 consecutive days of early voting beginning on the second Saturday before the election and ending on the Sunday before the election, and the required minimum of 8 hours of early voting each day, do not apply.
  (11) A municipal agreement covers all statewide and federal elections, and any additional elections included in the municipal agreement, for at least the entire election year in which a general November election is held and the year following that general November election. Subject to this subsection, a municipal agreement may provide that the agreement has no fixed termination date. Subject to this subsection, a party to a municipal agreement may withdraw from the agreement by providing at least 30 days' written notice to the other parties to the agreement. A party to a municipal agreement may not withdraw from the municipal agreement during the period beginning 150 days before the first statewide general November election in an even numbered year and ending on the completion of the county canvass for that statewide general November election in that even numbered year. If any municipal agreement covers any election in addition to the statewide and federal elections, a party to that municipal agreement may not withdraw from the municipal agreement during the period beginning 150 days before the election covered under the municipal agreement and ending on the completion of the county canvass for that election. If a municipality withdraws from a municipal agreement, the municipality must conduct early voting as provided under section 720e.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.720g County agreement requirements; appointment of coordinator and election inspectors; days and hours of early voting; withdrawal from agreement.

Sec. 720g.

  (1) The secretary of state shall prescribe the provisions that must be included in a county agreement between 1 or more municipalities located in the same county and the county clerk of that county authorizing the county clerk to conduct early voting for each municipality that is a party to the agreement, with assistance from, and in consultation with, the clerk of each municipality that is a party to the agreement. The provisions must include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
  (a) The name of the county and the name of each municipality involved in the agreement.
  (b) The number of precincts in each participating municipality.
  (c) The name of the coordinator who will organize and monitor the administrative requirements of early voting.
  (d) The process for determining the number of early voting sites needed, and the process for determining the location of each early voting site.
  (e) The process for approving the early voting hours for the required 9 consecutive days of early voting, and the process for approving any additional days and hours of early voting.
  (f) The communication strategy for informing electors of the opportunity for early voting, and for publicizing each early voting site, along with the dates and hours of operation of each early voting site, and which city or township is served by each early voting site.
  (g) The process to ensure that the secretary of state has the information necessary to include the location, along with the dates and hours of operation, of each early voting site on the department of state's website.
  (h) The process for developing the early voting budget and cost sharing and chargeback procedures.
  (i) The process for determining the number of tabulators and early voting poll books that are necessary in each early voting site and the name of the county or municipality that will provide those tabulators and early voting poll books.
  (j) The name of the board of election commissioners that will conduct testing of the electronic voting equipment.
  (k) The name of the clerk, either the county clerk or a designated municipal clerk, who shall download the early voting poll book.
  (l) The supervision and staffing of each early voting site on each day of early voting.
  (m) Information on how a receiving board or a group of election inspectors will be appointed to canvass the early vote returns on election day and report early voting results to the county clerk.
  (n) The process for a participating municipality or county clerk to withdraw from the agreement.
  (2) The county clerk shall appoint a coordinator to organize and monitor the administrative requirements of early voting. The coordinator may be the county clerk or a member of the county clerk's staff, or a municipal clerk, or a member of the municipal clerk's staff, that is party to the agreement. The coordinator shall provide oversight to ensure sufficient resources are available and are timely dispatched to each early voting site. The coordinator shall develop the early voting plan, in consultation with the clerks of participating municipalities to the county agreement.
  (3) The county clerk shall designate which clerk, either the county clerk or a designated municipal clerk, shall download the early voting poll book.
  (4) On request of the county clerk, a clerk of a participating municipality shall make available, to the extent possible, tabulators, early voting poll books, and ballot containers for conducting early voting.
  (5) In accordance with section 662, the county clerk, after consulting the municipal clerks, shall submit each early voting site location to the board of county election commissioners for approval. Each early voting site submitted for approval may serve all electors covered by the county agreement, the electors in specific municipalities that are covered by an early voting site, the electors of 1 municipality, or any combination of these options, as long as each elector in the county is served by 1 or more early voting sites.
  (6) A municipal clerk shall recruit election inspectors at the request of the county clerk, or shall provide the county clerk with the list of election inspectors for the clerk's municipality. The board of county election commissioners shall, in accordance with section 674, appoint election inspectors for early voting.
  (7) The county clerk may appoint a participating municipal clerk or a member of the county clerk's staff to act as a supervisor for each day of early voting. The county clerk may appoint a different participating municipal clerk or a member of the county clerk's staff to act as a supervisor for different days of early voting. The supervisor shall operate in the same manner as a municipal clerk does for an election day polling place. A supervisor may delegate the supervisor's duties to a member of the supervisor's staff.
  (8) For each federal and statewide election, there must be 1 or more early voting sites that are open to all the registered electors of each municipality that is a party to the county agreement.
  (9) The county clerk may also offer early voting on additional days beyond the required 9 consecutive days as described in section 720b. The county clerk may set the hours for those additional days of early voting without regard to the required hours for early voting on the 9 consecutive days of early voting described in section 720b. Additional days of early voting as described in this subsection must take place on or after the twenty-ninth day before an election.
  (10) The legislative body of a municipality that is party to a county agreement may adopt a resolution to conduct early voting in an election to be held in the municipality that is not a statewide or federal election. If a municipality adopts a resolution as provided in this subsection, the clerk of that municipality may conduct early voting for that election as provided under section 720e.
  (11) A county clerk and the legislative body of 1 or more municipalities may enter into an agreement for the county clerk to conduct early voting in an election that is not a statewide or federal election. This section does not preclude a county clerk and a municipality from entering into an agreement for the county clerk to conduct early voting for an election in the municipality that is not a statewide or federal election. Early voting in those elections must be conducted under the requirements of this section, except that the required minimum of 9 consecutive days of early voting beginning on the second Saturday before the election and ending on the Sunday before the election, and the required minimum of 8 hours of early voting each day, do not apply.
  (12) A county agreement covers all statewide and federal elections, and any additional elections included in the county agreement, for at least the entire year in which a general November election is held and the year following that general November election. Subject to this subsection, a county agreement may provide that the agreement has no fixed termination date. Subject to this subsection, a party to a county agreement may withdraw from the county agreement by providing at least 30 days' written notice to the other parties to the agreement. A party to a county agreement may not withdraw from the county agreement during the period beginning 150 days before the first statewide general November election in an even numbered year and ending on the completion of the county canvass for that statewide general November election in that even numbered year. If any county agreement covers any election in addition to the statewide and federal elections, a party to that county agreement may not withdraw from the county agreement during the period beginning 150 days before the election covered under the county agreement and ending on the completion of the county canvass for that election.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.720h Early voting plans; requirements; certification.

Sec. 720h.

  (1) No later than 120 days before the first statewide or federal election in each even numbered year, all of the following apply:
  (a) Each municipality that is conducting early voting as a single municipality under section 720e must file an early voting plan with the county clerk of the county in which the municipality is located.
  (b) The coordinator for the municipalities that have signed a municipal agreement under section 720f must file an early voting plan for the municipalities participating in the municipal agreement with the county clerk of the county in which the municipalities are located.
  (c) Each county that is a party to a county agreement must prepare an early voting plan.
  (2) If a municipality described in subsection (1)(a) fails to file an early voting plan with the county clerk of the county in which the municipality is located by the deadline provided in subsection (1), the county clerk of the county in which the municipality is located shall immediately contact the clerk of that municipality and attempt to determine that municipality's plan for conducting early voting.
  (3) An early voting plan must provide sufficient details describing the processes created to conduct early voting. Each early voting plan must include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
  (a) Whether the plan covers a municipality described in section 720e, a municipal agreement described in section 720f, or a county agreement described in section 720g.
  (b) The name of each municipal clerk, and, if applicable, the name of the county clerk, executing the early voting plan.
  (c) The number of precincts and registered electors in the municipality under section 720e, the municipal agreement under section 720f, or the county agreement under section 720g, as applicable.
  (d) The number of early voting sites, the location of each early voting site, if available, and the municipality or municipalities the early voting sites serve.
  (e) The name, position, and contact information of the coordinator for a municipal agreement or county agreement, if applicable.
  (f) Any additional early voting days that will be offered before the required 9 consecutive days of early voting as provided in section 720b, along with the hours the early voting sites will be open on those additional early voting days.
  (g) Beginning January 1, 2026, whether early voting will be offered on the Monday before election day.
  (h) The communication strategy for informing electors of the opportunity for early voting.
  (i) The process to ensure that the secretary of state has the information necessary to include the location, along with the dates and hours of operation, of each early voting site on the department of state's website.
  (j) A copy of a municipal agreement or a county agreement, if applicable.
  (k) Any other information as the secretary of state or county clerk considers necessary.
  (4) Each county clerk shall review each early voting plan that the county clerk receives under subsection (1)(a) and (b) to verify that the early voting plan contains all the required information. Each municipality in a county that is conducting early voting as a single municipality under section 720e and each coordinator for municipalities that have entered into a municipal agreement under section 720f shall submit accurate and complete information in the early voting plan, and shall promptly respond to a request for information from the county clerk or the county clerk's staff.
  (5) No later than 110 days before the first statewide or federal election in an even numbered year, each county clerk shall submit to the secretary of state a countywide early voting plan that includes, at a minimum, all of the following:
  (a) Whether the county clerk is participating in a county agreement described under section 720g, and if so, which municipalities in the county are parties to the county agreement.
  (b) Which municipalities in the county, if any, will be conducting early voting as a single municipality under section 720e, and which municipalities in the county, if any, will be conducting early voting under a municipal agreement under section 720f.
  (c) If any municipalities in the county are conducting early voting under a municipal agreement under section 720f, the municipalities that are parties to each municipal agreement.
  (d) The process that the county, each municipal coordinator in the county, and each municipality that is not a party to a municipal agreement or a county agreement, will use to ensure that the secretary of state has the information necessary to include the location, along with the dates and hours of operation, of each early voting site on the department of state's website.
  (e) A copy of each early voting plan submitted by the municipalities in the county and by the municipal coordinators in the county, and a copy of the county early voting plan prepared by the county clerk.
  (f) Any other information that the secretary of state or county clerk considers necessary.
  (6) The county clerk shall certify that the electors of each municipality in the county are served by 1 or more early voting sites. If any municipality in the county is not a party to a municipal agreement or a county agreement and has not filed an early voting plan as a municipality conducting early voting as a single municipality, the county clerk shall indicate the name of that municipality as an exception to the certification and shall indicate what steps the county clerk has taken to determine that municipality's plan for early voting.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.720i Early voting sites; location and quantity requirements.

Sec. 720i.

  (1) An early voting site is subject to the same requirements as a polling place except that an early voting site may do either or both of the following:
  (a) Serve electors from more than 6 precincts.
  (b) Serve electors from more than 1 municipality located in a county.
  (2) An early voting site is not subject to the limit on the number of electors assigned to a precinct as provided in section 661.
  (3) The location and number of early voting sites must be selected by taking into consideration expected turnout, population density, public transportation, accessibility, travel time, traffic patterns, and any other factors that election officials consider necessary to enhance the accessibility of early voting sites.
  (4) The location of each early voting site must be finalized no later than 60 days before election day.
  (5) On each day of early voting, each registered and qualified elector present and in line at the early voting site at the hour prescribed for the closing of the early voting site must be allowed to vote.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.720j Early voting tabulation; electronic tabulating equipment; early voting poll books; alternate configuration sets; board of election inspectors responsibilities; reporting of early voting results; violation; penalty.

Sec. 720j.

  (1) At each early voting site, ballots must be cast using electronic tabulating equipment authorized to be used on election day or specifically authorized for early voting in the county where the early voting site is located.
  (2) The clerk of the county where an early voting site is located shall prepare and provide to each municipal clerk or early voting site coordinator, as appropriate, both of the following:
  (a) Programming for the electronic voting equipment to be used at the early voting site no later than 45 days before election day.
  (b) Ballots to be used to test the electronic voting equipment no later than 45 days before election day. The appropriate board of election commissioners shall complete the preliminary and public logic and accuracy testing no later than 5 days before the start of early voting in accordance with the requirements under section 798.
  (3) Tabulators and early voting poll books used at each early voting site must be configured in 1 of the ways set forth in this section. However, the secretary of state may approve an alternate configuration of tabulators and early voting poll books as long as the alternate configuration produces an accurate poll list of the voters who cast ballots and balances the number of voters casting a ballot at the early voting site with the number of ballots cast. A municipal clerk, or the coordinator of a municipal agreement, shall select a configuration set or sets under subsection (4) or (5), as applicable, and inform the county clerk of the selection no later than 90 days before an election. Under a county agreement, the county clerk, after consulting with the participating municipal clerks, shall select the configuration set or sets under subsection (6) no later than 90 days before an election. Subsections (4), (5), and (6) describe the configuration sets that are options for early voting sites, with each configuration set having at least 1 tabulator and an early voting poll book containing a list of registered electors corresponding to the precincts programmed on the tabulator. A county clerk shall program the tabulators to adhere to the configuration set or sets selected for each early voting site. Each early voting site must have the number of tabulators and early voting poll books as required by the selected configuration set or sets.
  (4) If a municipal clerk is conducting early voting as a municipality under section 720e, the municipal clerk shall provide for each early voting site either of the following configuration sets:
  (a) A single configuration set programmed to tabulate ballots for all of the precincts in the municipality.
  (b) Multiple configuration sets, with each configuration set programmed to tabulate ballots for a unique set of precincts in the municipality. Each precinct in the municipality must appear on only 1 configuration set at an early voting site.
  (5) If municipalities are parties to a municipal agreement, the municipal agreement must provide for each early voting site to have either of the following configuration sets:
  (a) A single configuration set programmed to tabulate ballots for all of the precincts of each municipality covered by the municipal agreement.
  (b) Multiple configuration sets, with each tabulator programmed to tabulate ballots for 1 or more municipalities covered by the municipal agreement. Each precinct in each of the municipalities must appear on only 1 configuration set in an early voting site.
  (6) If 1 or more municipalities are parties to a county agreement, the county agreement must provide for each early voting site to have either of the following configuration sets:
  (a) For an early voting site covering the entire county, in the same manner as an early voting site of a municipality conducting early voting as a municipality under section 720e.
  (b) For an early voting site covering less than the entire county, in the same manner as an early voting site for municipalities that are parties to a municipal agreement under section 720f.
  (7) The early voting poll book must be updated before early voting starts each day to reflect new registered electors, absent voter ballots received, and ballots cast at early voting sites since the last update.
  (8) After the close of the first day of early voting, the board of election inspectors shall do all of the following at each early voting site:
  (a) Verify that the number of ballots tabulated equals the number of electors identified in the early voting poll book as having been issued ballots at the early voting site that day, and note the reason for any discrepancy in the poll book.
  (b) Remove the voted ballots from the tabulator bin and seal the ballots, along with any spoiled ballots, and the early voting poll book in a ballot container in the same manner as ballots are sealed on election day and in accordance with section 806a.
  (c) Record the seal number on the ballot container certificate in accordance with section 806a.
  (d) Record the seal number in the poll book.
  (e) Print a poll list from the early voting poll book of the electors who voted at the early voting site that day and add it to the paper poll book.
  (f) Report the number on the public counter on the tabulator at the end of the day and at the beginning of the day in the poll book.
  (g) Secure each tabulator used at the early voting site in a locked room.
  (h) Lock the room in which the early voting site is located.
  (9) After the close of each subsequent day of early voting after the first day of early voting, the board of election inspectors shall follow the same procedure as provided in subsection (8), except that on subsequent days the board of election inspectors may either place the current day's ballots in an unused ballot container and seal the ballots in the same manner as ballots are sealed on election day or may add the current day's ballots to a ballot container that was used for the previous day of early voting. If the board of election inspectors elects to add the current day's ballots to a ballot container that was used for the previous day of early voting, the seal on the previous day's ballot container must be removed, the current day's ballots and the seal removed by the election inspectors must be added to the ballot container, the ballot container must be resealed, and the new seal number must be recorded on the ballot container certificate and in the poll book. If a ballot container becomes too full to add additional ballots, the election inspectors must use 1 or more additional ballot containers and label the ballot container certificates sequentially.
  (10) During the required early voting period, the municipal clerk or the early voting site supervisor, as appropriate, shall take all necessary steps to secure the electronic voting equipment, ballot containers, blank ballots, and other election materials after the close of early voting each day until the opening of early voting on the following day, in accordance with guidance provided by the secretary of state. After the last day of early voting, the municipal clerk or the early voting site supervisor, as appropriate, shall deliver the electronic voting equipment, each ballot container, the blank ballots, and other election materials to the clerk who will oversee the closing of the election after the polls close on election day. No later than the Friday before election day, each municipal clerk shall post on the municipality's website the location where the precinct canvass of early votes for that municipality will take place and the time the precinct canvass will begin.
  (11) After the polls close on election day, the precinct election inspectors shall do all of the following:
  (a) Canvass the vote as provided in sections 801 to 810.
  (b) Generate the totals or summary tape and make results available to those present.
  (c) Complete the statements of results, the ballot summary, and the certificate of election inspectors.
  (d) If a ballot container is opened during the canvass, reseal the ballot container and record the seal number on the ballot container certificate and in the poll book.
  (e) Use the write-in report produced by the tabulator or the write-in votes indicated on ballots to tally the early voting write-in votes.
  (12) The county clerk shall report early voting results as a separate category distinct from categories required under section 765a(1) and shall add these results to the total results for each precinct, except for a municipality with 250 or more precincts that chooses to use a ballot form that contains identical offices and names as the precincts for early voting.
  (13) If, during the county canvass of the votes, it is necessary to retabulate ballots from a precinct, and any ballots from that precinct are sealed in 1 or more ballot containers from an early voting site that contain ballots from multiple precincts, each necessary ballot container must be opened and the ballots sorted by precinct so that the ballots needing to be retabulated can be identified and segregated. The sorting must be done at the canvass. Similarly, if there is a recount of a precinct and any ballots from that precinct are sealed in 1 or more ballot containers from an early voting site that contain ballots from multiple precincts, each ballot container must be opened and the ballots sorted by precinct as described in this subsection so that the ballots subject to the recount can be identified and segregated.
  (14) Early voting results must not be generated or reported until after 8 p.m. on election day. An individual shall not intentionally disclose an election result from an early voting site before 8 p.m. on election day. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony.
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 259, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.721 Polls; opening and closing governed by central standard time.

Sec. 721.

   Unless otherwise specified, the hours for the opening and closing of polls and for the conducting of elections shall be governed by eastern standard time: Provided, however, That in the counties where central standard time is the observed time of any such county, the opening and closing of the polls and the conducting of elections may be governed by central standard time, upon resolution to such effect adopted by the county board of supervisors.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.722 Polls; announcement of opening and closing.

Sec. 722.

   The chairman or an inspector designated by him shall announce to those present at the polling places, the opening of the polls and the closing of the polls.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 224, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.723 Ballot boxes; examination, locking.

Sec. 723.

   Before opening the polls, each ballot box to be used at the election shall be examined by the board of inspectors of election and the contents, if any, removed therefrom; it shall then be locked, and the key thereof delivered to 1 of the inspectors, to be designated by the board. The said box shall not be opened during the election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.724 Ballots; opening packages; distribution of pencils; unused absent voters' ballots.

Sec. 724.

   At the opening of the polls, after the organization of and in the presence of the board of inspectors, 1 of the inspectors shall open the packages of ballots in such a manner as to preserve the seal intact. He shall then place in the booths the pencils to be used for marking ballots. The unused absent voters' ballots shall be the first used by the board of inspectors of election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.725 Repealed. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955;—1955, Act 283, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1955.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for manner of initialing ballots.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.726 Ballots; delivery to elector.

Sec. 726.

   No ballots shall be delivered to an elector by any person other than 1 of the inspectors of election and only within the polling place, except as provided in this act for absent voters' ballots.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.727 Challenge; duty of election inspector; indiscriminate challenge; penalty.

Sec. 727.

  (1) An election inspector shall challenge an applicant applying for a ballot if the inspector knows or has good reason to suspect that the applicant is not a qualified and registered elector of the precinct, or if a challenge appears in connection with the applicant's name in the registration book. A registered elector of the precinct present in the polling place may challenge the right of anyone attempting to vote if the elector knows or has good reason to suspect that individual is not a registered elector in that precinct. An election inspector or other qualified challenger may challenge the right of an individual attempting to vote who has previously applied for an absent voter ballot and who on election day is claiming to have never received the absent voter ballot or to have lost or destroyed the absent voter ballot.
  (2) Upon a challenge being made under subsection (1), an election inspector shall immediately do all of the following:
  (a) Identify as provided in sections 745 and 746 a ballot voted by the challenged individual, if any.
  (b) Make a written report including all of the following information:
  (i) All election disparities or infractions complained of or believed to have occurred.
  (ii) The name of the individual making the challenge.
  (iii) The time of the challenge.
  (iv) The name, telephone number, and address of the challenged individual.
  (v) Other information considered appropriate by the election inspector.
  (c) Retain the written report created under subdivision (b) and make it a part of the election record.
  (d) Inform a challenged elector of his or her rights under section 729.
  (3) A challenger shall not make a challenge indiscriminately and without good cause. A challenger shall not handle the poll books while observing election procedures or the ballots during the counting of the ballots. A challenger shall not interfere with or unduly delay the work of the election inspectors. An individual who challenges a qualified and registered elector of a voting precinct for the purpose of annoying or delaying voters is guilty of a misdemeanor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001--AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:--Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.--Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.--Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.--Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.--Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.--Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.728 Challenges; disposition.

Sec. 728.

   If at the time a person proposing to vote is challenged, there are several persons awaiting their turn to vote, said challenged person shall stand to one side until after unchallenged voters have had an opportunity to vote, when his case shall be taken up and disposed of.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.729 Challenges; oath, questions as to qualifications; false statements, penalty.

Sec. 729.

   If any person attempting to vote shall be challenged as unqualified, he shall be sworn by 1 of the inspectors of election to truthfully answer all questions asked him concerning his qualifications as an elector and any inspector or qualified elector at the poll may question said personas to such qualifications. If the answer to such questions show that said person is a qualified elector in that precinct, he shall be entitled to receive a ballot and vote. Should the answers show that said person is not a qualified elector at that poll, he shall not be entitled to receive a ballot and vote. If any one of his answers concerning a material matter shall not be true, he shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty of perjury.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.730 Designation, qualifications, and number of challengers.

Sec. 730.

  (1) At an election, a political party or an incorporated organization or organized committee of citizens interested in the adoption or defeat of a ballot question being voted for or upon at the election, or interested in preserving the purity of elections and in guarding against the abuse of the elective franchise, may designate challengers as provided in this act. Except as otherwise provided in this act, a political party, incorporated organization, or organized committee of interested citizens may designate not more than 2 challengers to serve in a precinct at any 1 time. A political party, incorporated organization, or organized committee of interested citizens may designate not more than 1 challenger to serve at each counting board.
  (2) A challenger shall be a registered elector of this state. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a candidate for nomination or election to an office shall not serve as a challenger at the election in which he or she is a candidate. A candidate for the office of delegate to a county convention may serve as a challenger in a precinct other than the 1 in which he or she is a candidate. A person who is appointed as an election inspector at an election shall not act as a challenger at any time during the election day.
  (3) A challenger may be designated to serve in more than 1 precinct. The political party, incorporated organization, or organized committee of interested citizens shall indicate which precincts the challenger will serve when designating challengers under subsection (1). If more than 1 challenger of a political party, incorporated organization, or organized committee of interested citizens is serving in a precinct at any 1 time, only 1 of the challengers has the authority to initiate a challenge at any given time. The challengers shall indicate to the board of election inspectors which of the 2 will have this authority. The challengers may change this authority and shall indicate the change to the board of election inspectors.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 248, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 42, Imd. Eff. May 26, 1966 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 30, Imd. Eff. Feb. 19, 1972 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.731 Challengers; statement of appointment by organization; contents; authorization; appointment without authorization; penalty.

Sec. 731.

  (1) Not less than 20 and not more than 30 days before an election, an incorporated organization or organized committee of interested citizens other than political party committees authorized by this act intending to appoint challengers at the election shall file with the clerk of the county, city, village or township in which the election is to be held, a statement setting forth the intention of the organization or committee to appoint challengers. The statement shall set forth the reason why the organization or committee claims the right to appoint challengers, with a facsimile of the card to be used, and shall be signed and sworn to by the chief presiding officer, the secretary, or some other officer of the organization or committee. The clerk or secretary of state, as applicable under subsection (2), may deny an organization or committee the authorization to appoint challengers if that organization or committee fails to furnish evidence satisfactory to the clerk or secretary of state that the organization or committee is devoted to the purposes enumerated in section 730.
  (2) Not later than 2 business days after receipt of a statement of intent to appoint challengers under subsection (1), a clerk shall approve or deny the organization's or committee's authorization to appoint challengers and notify the organization or committee of that approval or denial. If authorization is denied under this subsection, an organization or committee may appeal the denial with the secretary of state not later than 2 business days after receipt of the denial. Not later than 2 business days after receipt of an appeal of a denial under this subsection, the secretary of state shall review the clerk's denial and approve or deny the organization's or committee's authorization to appoint challengers and notify the organization or committee and the clerk of that decision.
  (3) Before the opening of the polls, the clerk shall certify in writing to the board of election inspectors in a county, city, village, or township in which the election will be conducted the names of organizations and committees that are authorized under this section to appoint and keep challengers at the polling places in the county, city, village, or township.
  (4) A person who files a statement under this section on behalf of an organization or committee that is not authorized by this act to appoint challengers or a clerk who knowingly fails to perform the duties required by this section is guilty of a felony, punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or by imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.732 Presence of challenger in room containing ballot box; evidence of right to be present.

Sec. 732.

   Authority signed by the recognized chairman or presiding officer of the chief managing committee of any organization or committee of citizens interested in the adoption or defeat of any measure to be voted for or upon at any election, or interested in preserving the purity of elections and in guarding against the abuse of the elective franchise, or of any political party in such county, township, city, ward or village, shall be sufficient evidence of the right of such challengers to be present inside the room where the ballot box is kept, provided the provisions of the preceding sections have been complied with. The authority shall have written or printed thereon the name of the challenger to whom it is issued and the number of the precinct to which the challenger has been assigned.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 42, Imd. Eff. May 26, 1966 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 30, Imd. Eff. Feb. 19, 1972
Popular Name: Election Code





168.733 Challengers; space in polling place; rights; space at counting board; expulsion for cause; protection; threat or intimidation.

Sec. 733.

  (1) The board of election inspectors shall provide space for the challengers within the polling place that enables the challengers to observe the election procedure and each person applying to vote. A challenger may do 1 or more of the following:
  (a) Under the scrutiny of an election inspector, inspect without handling the poll books as ballots are issued to electors and the electors' names being entered in the poll book.
  (b) Observe the manner in which the duties of the election inspectors are being performed.
  (c) Challenge the voting rights of a person who the challenger has good reason to believe is not a registered elector.
  (d) Challenge an election procedure that is not being properly performed.
  (e) Bring to an election inspector's attention any of the following:
  (i) Improper handling of a ballot by an elector or election inspector.
  (ii) A violation of a regulation made by the board of election inspectors pursuant to section 742.
  (iii) Campaigning being performed by an election inspector or other person in violation of section 744.
  (iv) A violation of election law or other prescribed election procedure.
  (f) Remain during the canvass of votes and until the statement of returns is duly signed and made.
  (g) Examine without handling each ballot as it is being counted.
  (h) Keep records of votes cast and other election procedures as the challenger desires.
  (i) Observe the recording of absent voter ballots on voting machines.
  (2) The board of election inspectors shall provide space for each challenger, if any, at each counting board that enables the challengers to observe the counting of the ballots. A challenger at the counting board may do 1 or more of the activities allowed in subsection (1), as applicable.
  (3) Any evidence of drinking of alcoholic beverages or disorderly conduct is sufficient cause for the expulsion of a challenger from the polling place or the counting board. The election inspectors and other election officials on duty shall protect a challenger in the discharge of his or her duties.
  (4) A person shall not threaten or intimidate a challenger while performing an activity allowed under subsection (1). A challenger shall not threaten or intimidate an elector while the elector is entering the polling place, applying to vote, entering the voting compartment, voting, or leaving the polling place.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997
Popular Name: Election Code





168.734 Challengers; preventing presence, penalty.

Sec. 734.

   Any officer or election board who shall prevent the presence of any such challenger as above provided, or shall refuse or fail to provide such challenger with conveniences for the performance of the duties expected of him, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000.00, or by imprisonment in the state prison not exceeding 2 years, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.735 Poll book and poll list; contents.

Sec. 735.

  (1) At each primary and election, election inspectors shall keep 1 poll book and 1 poll list. An election inspector shall enter in the poll book, in the order in which electors are given ballots, the name of each elector who is given a ballot and immediately after the name, on the same line, shall enter the number of the ballot given to the elector. For an absent voter ballot, when an election inspector removes the ballot from the sealed absent voter envelope, the election inspector shall enter in the poll book the name of the absent voter and the number of the ballot.
  (2) If an elector is issued a provisional ballot, an election inspector shall enter a proper designation in the poll book, including whether the provisional ballot was tabulated in the precinct or was secured for verification after the election.
  (3) At the completion of the precinct canvass, an election inspector shall record on the certificate provided in the poll book the number of each metal seal used to seal voting equipment and ballot containers. Each member of the board of election inspectors shall sign the certificate.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 35, Imd. Eff. May 19, 1965 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004
Popular Name: Election Code





168.735a Poll list and poll book; exception for program participants in the address confidentiality program act.

Sec. 735a.

  For a program participant, as that term is defined in the address confidentiality program act, any poll list or poll book created for or used at an election must only contain the name of that program participant and a notation for the precinct election inspectors to contact the city or township clerk on how to process the elector who is a program participant.
  
  


History: Add. 2020, Act 302, Eff. June 27, 2021
Popular Name: Election Code





168.736 Voting; ballots, delivery to electors by numbers; assistance by election inspectors.

Sec. 736.

   When an elector applying to vote shall not be challenged, or, having been challenged, if the answers to questions asked him while under oath as to his qualifications shall show that he is a qualified elector at that poll, he shall be permitted to vote. The inspector having charge of the ballots shall deliver to said elector 1 of each kind of said ballots to be voted at the election. All the ballots so given to an elector applying to vote shall bear the same number, beginning, for the first elector to whom ballots are given, with the lowest numbered ballots, the next higher number for the second such elector, and so on. On request of the elector, an inspector may give explanation of the manner of voting, and if by the board deemed necessary, an interpreter may be called, but the elector shall not be otherwise assisted in the marking of his ballot, except as provided in this act for assisted electors.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 37, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 1956 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 56, Eff. Mar. 24, 1964
Popular Name: Election Code





168.736a Minor child in booth or compartment.

Sec. 736a.

   Notwithstanding any other provision of this act to the contrary, a minor child may accompany an elector in the booth or voting compartment at an election under this act.


History: Add. 1996, Act 213, Imd. Eff. May 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.736b Secrecy sleeve; primary election; instructions.

Sec. 736b.

  Each ballot secrecy sleeve used at a primary election must either contain the following ballot marking instructions printed on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve or must have a clear plastic pocket on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve that contains a printed copy of the following ballot marking instructions:
PRIMARY ELECTION
TO VOTE: Completely darken the oval opposite each choice as shown:
[insert graphic here].
-- OR --
TO VOTE: Completely darken the box opposite each choice
as shown: [insert graphic here].
IMPORTANT: To mark your ballot, use only a black or blue ink pen.
DO NOT USE ANY OTHER INK COLOR!
PARTISAN SECTION: There may be multiple party sections on the
ballot. Select the party section of your choice. YOU MAY VOTE IN ONE PARTY SECTION ONLY; YOU CANNOT "SPLIT YOUR TICKET." IF YOU VOTE IN MORE THAN ONE PARTY SECTION, YOUR PARTISAN BALLOT WILL BE REJECTED.
DO NOT vote for more candidates than indicated under each office title.
WRITE-IN CANDIDATES: To vote for a candidate whose name is not printed on the ballot, write or place the name of that candidate in the blank space provided and completely darken the voting target area. Do not cast a write-in vote for a candidate whose name is already printed on the ballot for that office.
CHECK BOTH SIDES OF BALLOT: This ballot has two sides. Be certain to check the reverse side of the ballot.
WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED VOTING: Place the ballot in the secrecy sleeve so that votes cannot be seen and, if there is a numbered stub, the numbered stub is visible. Return the ballot to the election official stationed at the tabulator. (If voting by absentee ballot, follow the instructions provided by the clerk for returning the ballot.)
NOTE: If you make a mistake, return your ballot to the election official and obtain a new ballot. Do not attempt to erase or correct any marks made in error.
  


History: Add. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 190, Imd. Eff. June 20, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.736c Secrecy sleeve; general election; instructions.

Sec. 736c.

  Each ballot secrecy sleeve used at a general election must either contain the following ballot marking instructions printed on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve or must have a clear plastic pocket on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve that contains a printed copy of the following ballot marking instructions:
GENERAL ELECTION
TO VOTE: Completely darken the oval opposite each choice as shown:
[insert graphic here].
-- OR --
TO VOTE: Completely darken the box opposite each choice
as shown: [insert graphic here].
IMPORTANT: To mark your ballot, use only a black or blue ink pen.
DO NOT USE ANY OTHER INK COLOR!
PARTISAN SECTION: To vote the partisan section of the ballot, you
may cast a "mixed ticket."
Mixed Ticket: Vote for the individual candidates of your choice
in each office.
NONPARTISAN and PROPOSAL SECTIONS of the ballot (if any) must be
voted separately.
DO NOT vote for more candidates than indicated under each office
title.
WRITE-IN CANDIDATES: To vote for a candidate whose name is not
printed on the ballot, write or place the name of that candidate
in the blank space provided and completely darken the voting target
area. Do not cast a write-in vote for a candidate whose name
is already printed on the ballot for that office.
CHECK BOTH SIDES OF BALLOT: This ballot has two sides. Be certain
to check the reverse side of the ballot.
WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED VOTING: Place the ballot in the secrecy
sleeve so that votes cannot be seen and, if there is a numbered stub, the numbered stub is visible. Return the ballot to the election official stationed at the tabulator. (If voting by absentee ballot, follow the instructions provided by the clerk for returning the ballot.)
NOTE: If you make a mistake, return your ballot to the election
official and obtain a new ballot. Do not attempt to erase or
correct any marks made in error.
  


History: Add. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 268, Imd. Eff. Jan. 5, 2016 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 190, Imd. Eff. June 20, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.736d Secrecy sleeve; nonpartisan election; instructions.

Sec. 736d.

  Each ballot secrecy sleeve used at a nonpartisan election must either contain the following ballot marking instructions printed on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve or must have a clear plastic pocket on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve that contains a printed copy of the following ballot marking instructions:
NONPARTISAN ELECTION
TO VOTE: Completely darken the oval opposite each choice as shown:
[insert graphic here].
-- OR --
TO VOTE: Completely darken the box opposite each choice as shown:
[insert graphic here].
IMPORTANT: To mark your ballot, use only a black or blue ink pen.
DO NOT USE ANY OTHER INK COLOR!
DO NOT vote for more candidates than indicated under each office title.
WRITE-IN CANDIDATES: To vote for a candidate whose name is not printed on the ballot, write or place the name of that candidate in the blank space provided and completely darken the voting target area. Do not cast a write-in vote for a candidate whose name is already printed on the ballot for that office.
CHECK BOTH SIDES OF BALLOT: This ballot has two sides. Be certain to check the reverse side of the ballot.
WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED VOTING: Place the ballot in the secrecy sleeve so that votes cannot be seen and, if there is a numbered stub, the numbered stub is visible. Return the ballot to the election official stationed at the tabulator. (If voting by absentee ballot, follow the instructions provided by the clerk for returning the ballot.)
NOTE: If you make a mistake, return your ballot to the election official and obtain a new ballot. Do not attempt to erase or correct any marks made in error.
  


History: Add. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 190, Imd. Eff. June 20, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.736e Secrecy sleeve; special election; instructions.

Sec. 736e.

  Each ballot secrecy sleeve used at a special election must either contain the following ballot marking instructions printed on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve or must have a clear plastic pocket on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve that contains a printed copy of the following ballot marking instructions:
SPECIAL ELECTION
TO VOTE: Completely darken the oval opposite each choice as shown:
[insert graphic here].
-- OR --
TO VOTE: Completely darken the box opposite each choice as shown:
[insert graphic here].
IMPORTANT: To mark your ballot, use only a black or blue ink pen.
DO NOT USE ANY OTHER INK COLOR!
CHECK BOTH SIDES OF BALLOT: This ballot has two sides. Be certain to check the reverse side of the ballot.
WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED VOTING: Place the ballot in the secrecy sleeve so that votes cannot be seen and, if there is a numbered stub, the numbered stub is visible. Return the ballot to the election official stationed at the tabulator. (If voting by absentee ballot, follow the instructions provided by the clerk for returning the ballot.)
NOTE: If you make a mistake, return your ballot to the election official and obtain a new ballot. Do not attempt to erase or correct any marks made in error.
  


History: Add. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 190, Imd. Eff. June 20, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.736f Ballot marking instructions; limitation.

Sec. 736f.

  The ballot marking instructions as provided in sections 736b, 736c, 736d, 736e, and 764, are the only written ballot marking instructions that shall be provided to an elector.


History: Add. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.736g Discontinued use of secrecy sleeve defaced, marred, or containing other mark.

Sec. 736g.

  If a ballot secrecy sleeve used at an election or a ballot marking instruction sheet contained in a clear plastic pocket on the front of a ballot secrecy sleeve used at an election is defaced, marred, or contains any mark on it other than the ballot marking instructions that are required under this act, the use of that ballot secrecy sleeve or that ballot marking instruction sheet contained in the clear plastic pocket on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve shall be immediately discontinued and the ballot secrecy sleeve or ballot marking instruction sheet shall be discarded and not be further used at that election. In addition, if a clear plastic pocket on the front of a ballot secrecy sleeve used at an election is defaced, marred, or contains any mark on it, the use of that clear plastic pocket on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve shall be immediately discontinued and the clear plastic pocket shall be discarded and not be further used at that election.


History: Add. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.737 Repealed. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to manner of marking ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.737a Write-in vote; declaration of intent; filing; death or disqualification of candidate; write-in candidate for precinct delegate; forms; information.

Sec. 737a.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the board of election inspectors shall not count a write-in vote for a person unless that person has filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate as provided in this section. The write-in candidate shall file the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate with the filing official for that elective office on or before 4 p.m. on the second Friday immediately before the election. The secretary of state, immediately after the 4 p.m. filing deadline under this subsection, shall prepare and have delivered a list of all persons who have filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate under this subsection, if any, to the appropriate county clerks. A filing official other than the secretary of state who receives a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate or list of persons who filed a declaration of intent from another filing official under this subsection shall prepare and have delivered a list of all persons who have filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate to the board of election inspectors in the appropriate precincts before the close of the polls on election day.
  (2) If a candidate whose name is printed on the official ballot for the election dies or is otherwise disqualified after 4 p.m. on the second Friday immediately before the election, the requirement of filing a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate under subsection (1) does not apply to a write-in candidate. If a death or disqualification has occurred as described in this subsection, the board of election inspectors shall count all write-in votes for write-in candidates for the office sought by the deceased or disqualified candidate.
  (3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a write-in candidate for precinct delegate. The board of election inspectors shall not count a write-in vote for a write-in candidate for precinct delegate unless that candidate has filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate as provided in this subsection. A write-in candidate for precinct delegate shall file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate with the county clerk of the county in which that precinct is located on or before 4 p.m. on the Friday immediately before the election or with the board of election inspectors in the appropriate precinct before the close of the polls on election day. A county clerk who receives a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate from a write-in candidate for precinct delegate under this subsection shall prepare and have delivered a list of all persons who have filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate to the city and township clerks for the appropriate precincts before election day. A city or township clerk shall deliver a list of all persons who have filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for precinct delegate to the board of election inspectors in the appropriate precincts before the close of the polls on election day.
  (4) The secretary of state shall prescribe forms for the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate. Clerks shall maintain a supply of declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate forms in the clerk's office and make the forms available in the polling places during the August primary for this purpose. The declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate form must include all of the following information:
  (a) The name of the person intending to be a write-in candidate.
  (b) The elective office that the person seeks as a write-in candidate.
  (c) The residence address of the person seeking elective office as a write-in candidate.
  (d) Other information the secretary of state considers appropriate.


History: Add. 1996, Act 461, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 87, Eff. Mar. 30, 2007 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 611, Eff. Mar. 29, 2019
Popular Name: Election Code





168.738 Voting; ballots; folding; deposit in ballot box; rejection for exposure.

Sec. 738.

  (1) Before leaving the booth or voting compartment, the elector shall fold his or her ballot or each of the ballots so that no part of the face shall be exposed, and with the detachable corner on the outside. Upon leaving the booth, the elector shall at once deliver in public view the ballot or ballots to the inspector designated to receive the ballot or ballots. Except as provided in subsection (2), the inspector shall tear off the corner of the ballot, where perforated, containing the number and shall then in the presence of the elector and the board of inspectors deposit each ballot in the proper ballot box without opening the ballot.
  (2) If an elector shows his or her ballot or any part of the ballot to any person other than a person lawfully assisting him or her in the preparation of the ballot or a minor child accompanying that elector in the booth or voting compartment under section 736a, after the ballot has been marked, to disclose any part of the face of the ballot, the ballot shall not be deposited in the ballot box, but shall be marked "rejected for exposure", and shall be disposed of as are other rejected ballots. If an elector exposes his or her ballot, a note of the occurrence shall be entered on the poll list opposite his or her name and the elector shall not be allowed to vote at the election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 213, Imd. Eff. May 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.739 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to deposit of ballots in separate boxes.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.740 Voting; ballots, spoiling.

Sec. 740.

   If any elector inadvertently spoils a ballot, he shall return all of the ballots given him to the board, and said board shall deliver to him another ballot or set of ballots, all bearing the same number. One of the inspectors of election shall, upon the poll book and list, note the change in the number on the ballot or ballots given such elector.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.741 Voting; unused and spoiled ballots; preservation.

Sec. 741.

  The board of inspectors of election shall preserve the unused ballots, together with the ballots that have been spoiled by the electors and in place of which other ballots have been issued, and return them to the city or township clerk, or other officer provided by a city charter, with a statement of the number of ballots voted, and the clerk shall give to the election inspectors a receipt that must be filed with the chairperson of the board.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.742 Voting; time for voting ballot.

Sec. 742.

   The board of inspectors of election may make such regulations as they deem proper, reasonably limiting the time in which an elector may remain in the room or booth while preparing and voting his ballot.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.743 Voting; ballots; return by elector; failure; arrest.

Sec. 743.

  An elector to whom an official ballot has been delivered is not permitted to leave the polling place without either voting the ballot or returning the ballot to the inspector from whom he or she received the ballot. An elector who attempts to leave the polling place with a ballot in his or her possession, and refuses to deliver the ballot upon request, must be at once arrested on demand of any member of the board of election inspectors.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.744 Prohibited acts; violation as misdemeanor.

Sec. 744.

  (1) An election inspector or any other person in a polling room, in a compartment connected to a polling room, or within 100 feet from any entrance to a building in which a polling place is located shall not persuade or endeavor to persuade a person to vote for or against any particular candidate or party ticket or for or against any ballot question that is being voted on at the election. A person shall not place or distribute stickers, other than stickers provided by the election officials pursuant to law, in a polling room, in a compartment connected to a polling room, or within 100 feet from any entrance to a building in which a polling place is located.
  (2) A person shall not solicit donations, gifts, contributions, purchase of tickets, or similar demands, or request or obtain signatures on petitions in a polling room, in a compartment connected to a polling room, or within 100 feet from any entrance to a building in which a polling place is located.
  (3) On election day, a person shall not post, display, or distribute in a polling place, in any hallway used by voters to enter or exit a polling place, or within 100 feet of an entrance to a building in which a polling place is located any material that directly or indirectly makes reference to an election, a candidate, or a ballot question. Except as otherwise provided in section 744a, this subsection does not apply to official material that is required by law to be posted, displayed, or distributed in a polling place on election day.
  (4) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 60, Imd. Eff. Feb. 22, 1972 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 156, Imd. Eff. June 5, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.744a Appearance of name of elected or appointed official in polling place or room prohibited; violation; fine.

Sec. 744a.

  (1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the name of an elected or appointed official of this state or a political subdivision of this state shall not appear on any material that is temporarily posted, displayed, or distributed in a polling place or polling room on election day.
  (2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $100.00 for a first offense and is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $250.00 for a second or subsequent offense.


History: Add. 2012, Act 156, Imd. Eff. June 5, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.745 Ballot of challenged voter; endorsement, rejection.

Sec. 745.

   Whenever at any election the ballot of any person who has been challenged as an unqualified voter and who has taken the oath provided by law in such case to be taken shall be received by the inspectors of election, said inspectors shall cause to be plainly endorsed on said ballot, with pencil, before depositing the same in the ballot box, the number corresponding to the number placed after such voter's name on the poll lists without opening the same: Provided, That in case a ballot shall be so folded, defaced, printed or prepared that such number cannot be legibly and permanently written on the back thereof, said inspectors shall refuse to accept such ballot.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001—AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:—Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.—Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.—Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.—Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.—Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.—Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.746 Ballot of challenged voter; endorsement concealed, identification prohibited.

Sec. 746.

   To prevent the identification of said ballot, except as hereinafter provided for in case of a contested election, the inspectors of election shall cause to be securely attached to said ballot, with mucilage or other adhesive substance, a slip or piece of blank paper of the same color and appearance, as nearly as may be, as the paper of the ballot, in such manner as to cover and wholly conceal said endorsement but not to injure or deface the same; and if any inspector or other officer of an election shall afterward expose said endorsement or remove the said slip of paper covering the same, or attempt to identify the ballot of any voter, or suffer the same to be done by any other person, he shall, on conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.747 Contested election; challenged voters' ballots, identification in court.

Sec. 747.

   In case of a contested election, on the trial thereof before any court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be competent for either party to the cause to have produced in court the ballot boxes, ballots and poll books used at the election out of which the cause has arisen, and to introduce evidence proving or tending to prove that any person named on such poll lists was an unqualified voter at the election aforesaid, and that the ballot of such person was received. On such trial, the correspondence of the number endorsed on a ballot as herein provided with the number of the ballot placed opposite the name of any person on the poll lists shall be received as prima facie proof that such ballot was cast by such person: Provided, That the ballot of no person shall be inspected or identified under the provisions of this chapter unless such person shall consent thereto in writing, or unless such person has been convicted of falsely swearing in such ballot, or unless the fact that such person was an unqualified elector at the time of casting such ballot has been determined.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.748 Contested election; petition to determine qualifications of electors.

Sec. 748.

   After issue joined in any case of contested election, either party to the cause may present a petition to the court before which the said cause is to be tried, setting forth among other things that the petitioner has good reason to believe and does believe that 1 or more voters at the election out of which the cause has arisen, naming him or them, and stating his or their place of residence, were unqualified to vote at such election; that he believes the same can be established by competent testimony; that the ballot or ballots of such voter or voters were received after being challenged, as provided by law; and praying that the court may try and determine the question of the qualification of such voter or voters at said election, which petition shall be verified by the oath of the petitioner or some other person acquainted with the facts, and thereupon the court shall direct an issue to be framed, within a time to be fixed therefor, for the purpose of determining the question of the qualifications of the voter or voters named in said petition to vote at said election; and such issue shall stand for trial as in other cases, and the verdict of the jury or judgment of the court upon such issue so made shall be received, upon the trial of the principal issue in said cause, as conclusive evidence to establish or to disprove the said qualifications of said voter or voters.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.749 Contested elections; challenged voters' ballots, removal of slips concealing endorsements, replacement.

Sec. 749.

   On said trial, the judge presiding thereat and no other person shall remove from all challenged voters' ballots the slips of paper concealing the said endorsements until all ballots bearing numbers agreeing with the numbers against the names of such persons on the poll list as have been proved unqualified voters as aforesaid, have been found, and immediately thereafter said judge shall replace slips of paper upon all ballots from which he has taken the same in the same manner as is provided in this chapter for the inspectors of election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.750 Electors; exemption from civil process.

Sec. 750.

   During the day on which any election or primary election shall be held, pursuant to the provisions of law, no civil process shall be served on any elector entitled to vote at such election or primary election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code



ASSISTED VOTERS


168.751 Assisting elector in marking ballot.

Sec. 751.

   When at an election an elector shall state that the elector cannot mark his or her ballot, the elector shall be assisted in the marking of his or her ballot by 2 inspectors of election. If an elector is so disabled on account of blindness, the elector may be assisted in the marking of his or her ballot by a member of his or her immediate family or by a person over 18 years of age designated by the blind person.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 30, Imd. Eff. Feb. 19, 1972 ;-- Am. 1979, Act 151, Imd. Eff. Nov. 27, 1979
Popular Name: Election Code





168.752, 168.753 Repealed. 1979, Act 151, Imd. Eff. Nov. 27, 1979.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections pertained to oath of election and to marking ballots for identification.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.754 Assistance of electors; duties and restrictions.

Sec. 754.

   The inspectors upon whom shall fall the duty of assisting a voter shall render such assistance inside the voting booth by showing him how to mark his ballot in order to vote as he desires, or the inspector shall himself mark the ballot as directed by the voter, but no ballot shall be marked by the inspector from any written or printed list or slip furnished him by the voter or any other person. The inspector shall not suggest to the voter how he should vote, or in any manner attempt to influence him as to the marking of his ballot, nor allow any other person so to do: Provided, That the duties and restrictions with respect to inspectors as provided for in this section shall apply to and govern any person assisting the voter in the marking of his ballot, in accordance with the authorization in section 751 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.755 Repealed. 1979, Act 151, Imd. Eff. Nov. 27, 1979.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to entering on list the name, address, and disability of elector.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.755a Elector unable to write or sign name; execution of election document by making mark or using signature stamp; "election document" defined.

Sec. 755a.

  (1) If an elector is unable to write, or sign his or her name on an election document because of a physical disability, the elector may execute the election document where a signature is required either by making his or her mark or by using a signature stamp.
  (2) As used in this section, "election document" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
  (a) A voter application as described in section 523.
  (b) An absent voter ballot application as described in section 759 or 759a.
  (c) An emergency absent voter ballot application as described in section 759b.
  (d) An absent voter ballot return envelope as described in section 761.


History: Add. 2014, Act 79, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 2014
Popular Name: Election Code





168.756 False statement as perjury.

Sec. 756.

   An elector who shall falsely state that he or she is incapable of marking his or her ballot shall, on conviction, be considered guilty of perjury.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1979, Act 151, Imd. Eff. Nov. 27, 1979
Popular Name: Election Code





168.757 Unlawful conduct; felony.

Sec. 757.

   Any inspector who shall wilfully assist any elector in any manner contrary to the provisions contained in this section, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1979, Act 151, Imd. Eff. Nov. 27, 1979
Popular Name: Election Code



ABSENT VOTERS


168.758 Repealed. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: This repealed section pertained to valid reasons for obtaining an absentee ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.758a Absent voter ballot for president and vice-president; qualifications.

Sec. 758a.

  (1) A citizen of the United States above the age of 18 years may vote by absent voter ballot for president and vice-president of the United States if he has either of the following qualifications:
  (a) He has removed from a place within the United States or its possessions to this state, was qualified to vote for president and vice-president at the time of removal in the place from which he removed but is no longer qualified to vote in that place, produces evidence of these facts, and will have resided in this state for less than 6 months and in a city or township of this state for not less than 30 days next preceding an election at which candidates for president and vice-president are voted for.
  (b) If he has removed from this state to another place within the United States or its possessions, was a duly qualified and registered elector in a city or township of this state at the time of removal, and produces evidence that he cannot yet qualify to so vote in his present place of residence.
  (2) A citizen qualified to vote for president and vice-president under this act, upon making proper application shall be furnished with an absent voter ballot for president and vice-president only as provided in this act. The ballot shall be a regular paper ballot for the election but shall be plainly designated, in the manner prescribed by the secretary of state, "president and vice-president only". A vote shall not be counted on such a ballot other than the vote for president and vice-president of the United States.
  (3) A person who qualifies to vote for president and vice-president under paragraph (1a) of this section may make application for a presidential ballot by delivering an application in person to the clerk of the city or township of present residence not later than 2 p.m. on the Saturday immediately prior to the election. The application shall contain a certificate of the voting officer of the place of previous residence which shall be completed at the time of filing and shall also contain a statement that the applicant possesses all the qualifications of an elector in Michigan except those relating to residence and that as to residence he will have resided in the state of Michigan for a period of less than 6 months and in the city or township of present residence at least 30 days immediately prior to the election. The application shall be sworn to before the clerk and upon acceptance by the clerk shall serve as a temporary registration which shall be valid for that election only. A temporary registration as herein set forth shall be delivered to the precinct inspectors with the absent voter ballots and shall be returned to the clerk following the election. The form of the combined application-temporary registration shall be prescribed by the secretary of state.
   A voter who qualifies to vote for president and vice-president under paragraph (1b) of this section may make application to the city or township clerk of his last place of residence in Michigan not later than 2 p.m. on the Saturday immediately prior to the election, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, which form shall include a certificate from the voting officer of the place of present residence stating that the applicant cannot qualify to vote because of failure to meet residence requirements. Any such application shall be deemed to be an authorization to, immediately following the election, cancel the registration of the applicant if it is still on the registration records.


History: Add. 1965, Act 75, Eff. Mar. 31, 1966 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 30, Imd. Eff. Feb. 19, 1972
Popular Name: Election Code





168.758b Voting by persons confined in jail or prison prohibited.

Sec. 758b.

   A person who, in a court of this or another state or in a federal court, has been legally convicted and sentenced for a crime for which the penalty imposed is confinement in jail or prison shall not vote, offer to vote, attempt to vote, or be permitted to vote at an election while confined.


History: Add. 1975, Act 178, Imd. Eff. July 25, 1975
Popular Name: Election Code





168.758c Repealed. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to certain electors considered absent voters for purposes of community college district special elections.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.759 Application for an absent voter ballot; manner; form; signature of applicant; false statement as misdemeanor; political party ballot selection; delivery of ballot; application confidentiality of program participant; maintenance of online absent voter ballot applications; digital signature; "manual digital signature" and "stored digital signature" defined.

Sec. 759.

  (1) A registered elector may apply for an absent voter ballot in any of the following ways:
  (a) By a written request signed by the elector.
  (b) On an absent voter ballot application form as provided for in this section.
  (c) On a federal postcard application.
  (d) Using an online absent voter ballot application as provided by the secretary of state.
  (2) A registered elector may submit an absent voter ballot application in any of the following ways:
  (a) By mail or email to the clerk of the city or township in which the elector resides.
  (b) By using the online absent voter ballot application as provided by the secretary of state.
  (c) Until 4 p.m. on the day before election day, in person to the clerk of the city or township in which the elector resides.
  (d) On election day, in person until 8 p.m. to the clerk of the city or township in which the elector resides, but only if the elector is registering to vote or updating the elector's voter registration address. An elector who submits an absent voter ballot application under this subdivision must complete the elector's absent voter ballot in the city or township clerk's office.
  (3) An elector must sign the absent voter ballot application. The digital image of an elector's signature from a Michigan driver license or official Michigan personal identification card record, or an electronic image of an elector's physical signature, is an acceptable signature for the absent voter ballot application. An absent voter ballot application that is submitted and missing a signature is subject to the requirements of sections 761 and 766a.
  (4) An absent voter ballot application submitted before a primary election may be for either that primary election only, or for that primary election and for each election that follows the primary election in that year. An absent voter ballot application submitted before a presidential primary election may be for that presidential primary election only, or for that presidential primary election and for each election that follows the presidential primary election in that year.
  (5) A registered elector has the right to have an absent voter ballot sent to that elector before each election by submitting a single, signed absent voter ballot application that covers all future elections.
  (6) An individual may submit a voter registration application and an absent voter ballot application at the same time. Immediately after the voter registration application for that individual is approved, the clerk must verify the absent voter ballot application and issue an absent voter ballot to that individual as provided under section 761. An individual who submits a voter registration application and an absent voter ballot application at the same time and in person on the day of an election must vote the absent voter ballot at the city or township clerk's office.
  (7) The clerk of a city or township shall have absent voter ballot application forms available in the clerk's office at all times. The clerk of a city or township shall provide an absent voter ballot application form to an individual on a verbal or written request and provide the application to the individual in person, electronically, or by United States mail, postage prepaid with a postage prepaid return envelope, as requested by the individual. In addition, the secretary of state, or any county, city, or township clerk, may provide an absent voter ballot application to a registered elector in person, electronically, or by United States mail, with prepaid return postage, without a request from that registered elector. The absent voter ballot application must be in substantially the following form:
  "Application for absent voter ballot for:
  [ ] The primary election to be held on ___________________ (Date).
  [ ] The election to be held on _______ (Date).
  [ ] All future elections. Automatically send me an absent voter ballot for each election.
  (Check applicable election or elections)
  I, .................................. , am a United States citizen and a registered elector of the township of ............ or of the city of .................................. , in the county of .................................. and state of Michigan, and I apply for an absent voter ballot to be voted by me at the election or elections as requested in this application.
Send my absent voter ballot to me at the following address:
...........................................
(Street No. or R.R. or Designated Address)
...........................................
(Post Office) (State) (Zip Code)
My registration address is ......................................
(Street No. or R.R. or Participant Identification Number)
......................................
(Post Office) (State) (Zip Code)
Telephone number:
Email address:
Date........................................................
I certify that I am a United States citizen and that
the statements in this absent voter ballot application
are true.
......................................
(Signature)
WARNING
You must be a United States citizen to vote. If you are not a United States citizen, you will not be issued an absent voter ballot.
  An individual making a false statement in this absent voter ballot application is guilty of a misdemeanor. It is a violation of Michigan election law for an individual other than those listed in the instructions to return, offer to return, agree to return, or solicit to return your absent voter ballot application to the clerk. An assistant authorized by the clerk who receives absent voter ballot applications at a location other than the clerk's office must have credentials signed by the clerk. Ask to see the individual's credentials before entrusting your application with an individual claiming to have the clerk's authorization to return your application.
Certificate of Authorized Registered
Elector Returning Absent Voter
Ballot Application
I certify that my name is .................... and my address is .................... ; that I am delivering the absent voter ballot application of .................... at the applicant's request; that I did not solicit or request to return the application; that I have not made any markings on the application; that I have not altered the application in any way; that I have not influenced the applicant; and that I am aware that a false statement in this certificate is a violation of Michigan election law.
_________________ _________________________________________
(Date) (Signature)"
(8) The following instructions for an applicant for an absent voter ballot must be included with each application furnished an applicant:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS FOR ABSENT VOTER BALLOTS
Step 1. After completely filling out the application, sign and date the application in the place designated. Your signature must appear on the application or you may not receive an absent voter ballot.
  Step 2. Deliver the application by 1 of the following methods:
  (a) Place the application in the postage prepaid return envelope provided by the clerk and addressed to the clerk, or place the application in another envelope that is addressed to the appropriate clerk and place the necessary postage on that return envelope, and deposit the return envelope in the United States mail or with another postal service, express mail service, parcel post service, or common carrier.
  (b) Deliver the application personally to the clerk's office, to the clerk, or to an authorized assistant of the clerk.
  (c) In either (a) or (b), a member of the immediate family of the voter including a father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, or grandchild or an individual residing in the elector's household may mail or deliver the application to the clerk for the applicant.
  (d) If an applicant cannot return the application in any of the above methods, the applicant may select any registered elector to return the application. The individual returning the application must sign and return the certificate at the bottom of the application.
  (e) If the applicant applies using the online absent voter ballot application as provided by the secretary of state, send the application electronically through the qualified voter file to the appropriate city or township clerk for processing.
  (9) For a presidential primary election, the secretary of state shall revise the absent voter ballot application form described in subsection (7) to require that a presidential primary elector indicate a political party ballot selection when requesting an absent voter ballot and provide a separate form for a presidential primary elector who has previously applied for an absent voter ballot to indicate or change a political party ballot selection.
  (10) An elector may request delivery of the elector's absent voter ballot to an address that is not the elector's registration address. In addition, an elector may request delivery of the elector's absent voter ballot to a post office box if the post office box is where the absent voter normally receives personal mail, and the elector does not receive mail at the elector's registration address.
  (11) An individual shall not be in possession of a signed absent voter ballot application except for the applicant, a member of the applicant's immediate family, an individual residing in the applicant's household, an individual whose job normally includes the handling of mail, but only during the course of the individual's employment, a registered elector requested by the applicant to return the application, or a clerk, assistant of the clerk, or other authorized election official. A registered elector who is requested by the applicant to return the applicant's absent voter ballot application shall sign the certificate on the absent voter ballot application.
  (12) An individual who prints and distributes absent voter ballot applications shall print on the application the warning, certificate of authorized registered elector returning absent voter ballot application, and instructions required by this section.
  (13) An individual who makes a false statement in an absent voter ballot application is guilty of a misdemeanor. An individual who forges a signature on an absent voter ballot application is guilty of a felony. An individual who is not authorized in this act and who both distributes absent voter ballot applications to absent voters and returns those absent voter ballot applications to a clerk or assistant of the clerk is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (14) The absent voter ballot application of an elector who is a program participant, as that term is defined in section 3 of the address confidentiality program act, 2020 PA 301, MCL 780.853, is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
  (15) The secretary of state shall provide and maintain an online absent voter ballot application that allows a qualified and registered elector to request an absent voter ballot for an election occurring in that elector's city or township. The online absent voter ballot application must be in substantially the same form as the absent voter ballot application provided under subsection (7).
  (16) The online absent voter ballot application provided and maintained by the secretary of state under subsection (15) must provide an opportunity for an elector to use the elector's stored digital signature on file with the secretary of state on the online absent voter ballot application. In order to allow an elector to use the elector's stored digital signature, the online absent voter ballot application must verify the elector's identity and registration status by requesting the elector's name, complete driver license or state personal identification card number, full date of birth, last 4 digits of the elector's Social Security number, and eye color. A registered elector whose stored digital signature is on file with the secretary of state must sign the online absent voter ballot application with that stored digital signature. A registered elector without a stored digital signature on file with the secretary of state may provide a manual digital signature by uploading a photograph of the registered elector's physical handwritten signature to the online absent voter ballot application. A completed online absent voter ballot application, including digital signature, must be sent electronically through the qualified voter file to the appropriate city or township clerk for processing. An online absent voter ballot application signed using a stored digital signature or manual digital signature must be processed and treated identically as an absent voter ballot application signed with a physical handwritten signature. As used in this subsection:
  (a) "Manual digital signature" means a digitally captured image of an elector's handwritten signature.
  (b) "Stored digital signature" means the image of a registered elector's signature captured by the department of state and maintained in the department of state's motor vehicle database.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1959, Act 171, Eff. Mar. 19, 1960 ;-- Am. 1962, Act 90, Imd. Eff. Apr. 30, 1962 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 237, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 354, Eff. Mar. 31, 1966 ;-- Am. 1974, Act 189, Imd. Eff. July 2, 1974 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 178, Imd. Eff. July 25, 1975 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 344, Imd. Eff. Dec. 23, 1980 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 201, Eff. Jan. 1, 1983 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 177, Imd. Eff. Oct. 6, 2020 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 302, Eff. June 27, 2021 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 82, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 270, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.759a Absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter; electronic transmission of voter registration or ballot application; requirements; spouse or dependent; electronic transmission of ballot to voter; establishment and implementation of procedures by secretary of state; confidentiality of electronic mailing address; approval of ballot form and registration procedures by state director of elections; use of federal write-in absentee ballot; report; selection of political party ballot for presidential primary election; extension of ballot receipt deadline; promulgation of rules for electronic return of voted ballots by eligible members; timeliness of certain absent voter ballots; definitions.

Sec. 759a.

  (1) An absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter who is not registered, but possessed the qualifications of an elector under section 492, may apply for registration by using the federal postcard application. The department of state, bureau of elections, is responsible for disseminating information on the procedures for registering and voting to an absent uniformed services voter and an overseas voter.
  (2) Upon the request of an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter, the clerk of a county, city, or township shall electronically transmit a blank voter registration application or blank absent voter ballot application to the voter. The clerk of a county, city, or township shall accept a completed voter registration application or completed absent voter ballot application electronically transmitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter. A voter registration application or absent voter ballot application submitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter must contain the signature of the voter.
  (3) A spouse or dependent of an overseas voter who is a citizen of the United States, is accompanying that overseas voter, and is not a qualified and registered elector anywhere else in the United States, may apply for an absent voter ballot even though the spouse or dependent is not a qualified elector of a city or township of this state.
  (4) An absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter, whether or not registered to vote, may apply for an absent voter ballot. Upon receipt of an application for an absent voter ballot under this section that complies with this act, a county, city, or township clerk shall forward to the applicant the absent voter ballots requested, the forms necessary for registration, and instructions for completing the forms. If the ballots are not yet available at the time of receipt of the application, the clerk shall immediately forward to the applicant the registration forms and instructions, and forward the ballots as soon as they are available. If a federal postcard application or an application from the official United States Department of Defense website is filed, the clerk shall accept the federal postcard application or the application from the official United States Department of Defense website as the registration application and shall not send any additional registration forms to the applicant. Subject to subsection (18), if the ballots and registration forms are received before the close of the polls on election day and if the registration complies with the requirements of this act, the absent voter ballots must be delivered to the proper election board to be tabulated. If the registration does not comply with the requirements of this act, the clerk shall retain the absent voter ballots until the expiration of the time that the voted ballots must be kept and shall then destroy the ballots without opening the envelope. The clerk may retain registration forms completed under this section in a separate file. The address in this state shown on a registration form is the residence of the registrant.
  (5) Not later than 45 days before an election, a county, city, or township clerk shall electronically transmit or mail as appropriate an absent voter ballot to each absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter who applied for an absent voter ballot 45 days or more before the election.
  (6) Upon the request of an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter, the clerk of a county, city, or township shall electronically transmit an absent voter ballot to the voter. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the voter shall print the absent voter ballot and return the voted ballot by mail to the appropriate clerk. Subject to subsection (17), beginning September 1, 2025, a member of a uniformed service on active duty, by reason of being on active duty, or a member of the merchant marine, by reason of service in the merchant marine, who is absent from the United States and does not expect to return to the residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote before an election may electronically return a voted ballot to the appropriate city or township clerk to be counted under the rules promulgated by the secretary of state as set forth in subsection (17).
  (7) The secretary of state shall prescribe electronic absent voter ballot formats and electronic absent voter ballot transmission methods. Each county, city, or township clerk shall employ the prescribed electronic ballot formats to fulfill an absent voter ballot request received from an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter who wishes to receive an absent voter ballot through an electronic transmission. The secretary of state shall establish procedures to implement the requirements in this section and for the processing of a marked absent voter ballot returned by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter who obtained an absent voter ballot through an electronic transmission.
  (8) The secretary of state shall modify the printed statement provided under section 761(4) and the absent voter ballot instructions provided under section 764a as appropriate to accommodate the procedures developed for electronically transmitting an absent voter ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter. A statement must be included in the certificate signed by the absent voter who obtained an absent voter ballot through an electronic transmission that the secrecy of the absent voter ballot may be compromised during the duplication process. The absent voter ballot instructions provided to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter must include the proper procedures for returning the absent voter ballot to the appropriate clerk.
  (9) The size of a precinct must not be determined by registration forms completed under this section.
  (10) An absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter who submits an absent voter ballot application is eligible to vote as an absent voter in any local, state, or federal election occurring in the calendar year in which the election is held for that ballot requested if the absent voter ballot application is received by the county, city, or township clerk not later than 2 p.m. of the Saturday before the election. A village clerk receiving an absent voter ballot application from an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter shall transmit to the township clerk and the school district election coordinators, where applicable, the necessary information to enable the city or township clerk and school district election coordinators to forward an absent voter ballot for each applicable election in that calendar year to the absent voter. If the local elections official rejects a voter registration application or absent voter ballot application submitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter, the election official shall notify the voter of the rejection.
  (11) An email address provided by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter for the purposes of this section is confidential and exempt from disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
  (12) Under the uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting act, the state director of elections shall approve a ballot form and registration procedures for absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters.
  (13) An absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter may use the federal write-in absentee ballot, in accordance with the provisions of the uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting act, at a regular election or special election to vote for a local, state, or federal office or on a ballot question. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter who uses the federal write-in absentee ballot shall return the voter's voted federal write-in absentee ballot by mail to the appropriate clerk. Subject to subsection (17), beginning September 1, 2025, a member of a uniformed service on active duty, by reason of being on active duty, or a member of the merchant marine, by reason of service in the merchant marine, who is absent from the United States and does not expect to return to the residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote before an election may electronically return a voted ballot to the appropriate city or township clerk to be counted under the rules promulgated by the secretary of state as set forth in subsection (17). The state bureau of elections shall do both of the following:
  (a) Make the ballot format for each election available to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters by email or on an internet website maintained by the department of state.
  (b) Make the ballot information, including the offices, names of candidates, and ballot proposals, for each election available to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters on an internet website maintained by the department of state.
  (14) The clerk of a city or township shall submit to the county clerk of the county in which that city or township is located a written statement no later than 45 days before each election indicating whether absent voter ballots were issued to absent uniformed services voters or overseas voters in compliance with this section and the uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting act. The city or township clerk shall provide to the county clerk a written explanation describing remedial actions taken by the city or township clerk if the city or township clerk fails to comply with this section and the uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting act. Not later than 42 days before each election, each county clerk shall submit to the state bureau of elections a written report compiled from the written statements submitted by the city and township clerks. The written report must identify the cities and townships that complied with the 45-day deadline under this subsection, the cities and townships that did not comply with the 45-day deadline under this subsection, but provided a written explanation, and those cities and townships that did not comply with the 45-day deadline under this subsection and that did not provide a written explanation. The state bureau of elections may require the clerk of a city or township that did not comply with the 45-day deadline under this subsection, but provided a written explanation, to provide additional information. The state bureau of elections shall require the clerk of a city or township that did not comply with the 45-day deadline and that did not provide a written explanation to file a written explanation, describing the remedial actions taken by the city or township clerk, within 1 business day after the state bureau of elections notifies the clerk of that city or township.
  (15) For a presidential primary election, the secretary of state shall prescribe procedures for contacting an elector who is an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter, as described in this section, and who is eligible to receive an absent voter ballot or who applies for an absent voter ballot for the presidential primary election, offering the elector the opportunity to select a political party ballot for the presidential primary election.
  (16) The secretary of state shall order a city or township clerk to extend the ballot receipt deadline for any absent voter ballots under this section that were not transmitted to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter in compliance with subsection (5). The extension must equal the total number of days beyond the deadline as provided in subsection (5) that the city or township clerk transmitted the requested absent voter ballots. These absent voter ballots received during the extension time must be counted and tabulated for the final results of the election provided that the absent voter ballots are executed and sent by the close of the polls on election day. The election may be formally certified before the end of the extension time if the number of outstanding absent voter ballots under this subsection will not alter the outcome of the election.
  (17) The secretary of state shall promulgate rules that establish policies and procedures for the electronic return of voted ballots by eligible members. In promulgating rules that establish the policies and procedures for the electronic return of voted ballots by eligible members, the secretary of state shall require an eligible member to use a United States Department of Defense verified electronic signature, as that term is defined in section 18a, so that the identity of the eligible member can be verified utilizing those policies and procedures. A member who is unable or unwilling to provide a United States Department of Defense verified electronic signature is not eligible to electronically return a voted ballot. The secretary of state shall take reasonable steps to ensure the integrity and secrecy of voted ballots returned electronically. The secretary of state may develop and maintain a secure web portal on the secretary of state's website to facilitate the electronic return of voted ballots by eligible members. Only the secretary of state or the secretary of state's duly authorized agent, a city or township clerk, the clerk's deputy clerk, or a sworn member of the clerk's staff is authorized to access the secure web portal on the secretary of state's website. No later than September 1, 2025, the secretary of state shall promulgate rules pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328, to implement this subsection. As used in this subsection, "eligible member" means a member of a uniformed service on active duty or a member of the merchant marine, as described in subsection (6) or (13).
  (18) If the absent voter ballot return envelope containing a marked absent voter ballot for an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter is postmarked on or before election day and the absent voter ballot is received by mail by the city or township clerk within 6 days after the election, the city or township clerk shall consider that absent voter ballot timely received. If the absent voter ballot return envelope containing a marked absent voter ballot for an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter is received by mail by the city or township clerk within 6 days after the election and the postmark on the absent voter ballot return envelope is missing or unclear, the city or township clerk shall deliver that absent voter ballot return envelope to the clerk of the county in which the city or township is located as provided in this subsection and that county clerk shall determine whether that absent voter ballot was timely received. Not later than the seventh day after election day, each city or township clerk shall, without opening the absent voter ballot return envelopes, deliver the absent voter ballots received within 6 days after the election as provided under this subsection to the clerk of the county in which the city or township is located. If the postmark on the absent voter ballot return envelope is missing or unclear, and if the county clerk determines that the absent voter ballot return envelope or the voter certificate inside the absent voter ballot return envelope is dated on or before election day by the absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter, the county clerk shall consider that absent voter ballot as timely received. The absent voter ballots considered timely received as provided under this subsection shall be tabulated by the county clerk in a meeting of the board of county canvassers. As used in this subsection, "postmark" means any type of mark applied by the United States Postal Service or any delivery service to the absent voter ballot return envelope, including, but not limited to, a bar code or any tracking marks that indicate when a ballot was mailed.
  (19) As used in this section:
  (a) "Absent uniformed services voter" means any of the following:
  (i) A member of a uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of being on active duty, is absent from the place of residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote.
  (ii) A member of the merchant marine who, by reason of service in the merchant marine, is absent from the place of residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote.
  (iii) A spouse or dependent of a member referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii) who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, is absent from the place of residence where the spouse or dependent is otherwise qualified to vote.
  (b) "Member of the merchant marine" means an individual, other than a member of a uniformed service or an individual employed, enrolled, or maintained on the Great Lakes or the inland waterways, who is either of the following:
  (i) Employed as an officer or crew member of a vessel documented under the laws of the United States, a vessel owned by the United States, or a vessel of foreign-flag registry under charter to or control of the United States.
  (ii) Enrolled with the United States for employment or training for employment, or maintained by the United States for emergency relief service, as an officer or crew member of a vessel documented under the laws of the United States, a vessel owned by the United States, or a vessel of foreign-flag registry under charter to or control of the United States.
  (c) "Overseas voter" means any of the following:
  (i) An absent uniformed services voter who, by reason of active duty or service, is absent from the United States on the date of an election.
  (ii) An individual who resides outside of the United States and is qualified to vote in the last place in which the individual was domiciled before leaving the United States.
  (iii) An individual who resides outside of the United States and who, but for such residence outside of the United States, would be qualified to vote in the last place in which the individual was domiciled before leaving the United States.
  (d) "Uniformed services" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service, the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a reserve component of a uniformed service, or the Michigan National Guard as that term is defined in section 105 of the Michigan military act, 1967 PA 150, MCL 32.505.
  


History: Add. 1956, Act 21, Imd. Eff. Mar. 22, 1956 ;-- Am. 1971, Act 68, Eff. Oct. 1, 1971 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 207, Imd. Eff. May 21, 1996 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 605, Imd. Eff. Jan. 3, 2007 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 50, Eff. June 1, 2010 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Oct. 4, 2011 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 279, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 197, Imd. Eff. Oct. 7, 2022 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 25, Imd. Eff. May 1, 2023 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 193, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: See Green Party of Michigan, et al v Terri Lynn Land, case no. 08-10149, March 26, 2008.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.759b Emergency absent voters' ballot; application.

Sec. 759b.

   Any registered elector may apply for absent voter ballots at any time prior to 4 p.m. on election day if he shall have become physically disabled or shall be absent from the city or township because of sickness or death in the family which has occurred at a time which has made it impossible to apply for absent voter ballots by the statutory deadline. The application shall be called an emergency absent voter application.
   Emergency absent voter applications may be made by letter or on a form provided by the clerk. The application shall set forth that the voter is qualified to vote in the election, stating the statutory reason for applying for an emergency absent voter ballot and that the reason for applying after the statutory deadline occurred at such a time to make it impossible to file an application for absent voter ballots by the statutory deadline.
   Any person intentionally making a false statement in such application is guilty of a felony. Any person aiding or abetting any person to make a false statement on such application is guilty of a felony.
   Upon receipt by the clerk of a valid application for an emergency absent voter ballot, the clerk may deliver the ballots to the applicant in person, through a deputy or an election assistant, or he may deliver them at his office to a person named by the applicant in the application. The voter may return the ballots to the clerk in the sealed envelope provided therefor in any manner he sees fit. To be valid, ballots must be returned to the clerk in time to be delivered to the polls prior to 8 p.m. on election day.


History: Add. 1965, Act 205, Imd. Eff. July 16, 1965
Popular Name: Election Code





168.759c Repealed. 2023, Act 82, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to a separate form for a presidential primary elector to indicate or change their political party ballot selection when requesting an absentee ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.759e Permanent mail ballot voters; rescission; notification.

Sec. 759e.

  (1) Each city and township clerk shall determine who that clerk's permanent mail ballot voters are and shall maintain and track those permanent mail ballot voters through the qualified voter file. Any registered elector may become a permanent mail ballot voter. A permanent mail ballot voter must be issued an absent voter ballot for every election. Each city and township clerk shall also issue an absent voter ballot application to any elector who requests an absent voter ballot application.
  (2) Once an elector's absent voter ballot application for all future elections has been verified, the elector becomes a permanent mail ballot voter and the elector must be sent an absent voter ballot before each election unless the application is rescinded.
  (3) An absent voter ballot application for all future elections can be rescinded only for any of the following reasons:
  (a) The permanent mail ballot voter submits a signed request to rescind the voter's application to receive an absent voter ballot by mail for all future elections.
  (b) The permanent mail ballot voter is no longer qualified to vote in this state.
  (c) The secretary of state or the appropriate city or township clerk receives reliable information that the permanent mail ballot voter has moved the voter's residence to another state, or has moved the voter's residence within this state without updating the voter's registration address.
  (d) The permanent mail ballot voter does not vote for 6 consecutive years.
  (4) The secretary of state or the appropriate city or township clerk shall rescind the absent voter ballot application for all future elections for a permanent mail ballot voter if the secretary of state or the appropriate city or township clerk receives reliable information that the permanent mail ballot voter meets 1 or more of the reasons described in subsection (3).
  (5) If an absent voter ballot application for all future elections is rescinded under subsection (3)(d), the city or township clerk shall send the elector a notice informing the elector that the elector's absent voter ballot application for all future elections has been rescinded because the elector did not vote for 6 consecutive years.
  (6) A permanent mail ballot voter who changes the voter's residence in this state and updates the voter's registration address, or who has the voter's registration address updated, continues to be a permanent mail ballot voter and the voter's absent voter ballot must be sent to the voter's current registration address until another address is designated by the permanent mail ballot voter.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 86, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.759f Presidential primary ballot selection form; availability.

Sec. 759f.

  (1) The secretary of state shall prescribe the presidential primary ballot selection form. The presidential primary ballot selection form must be available in person, by mail, and online, and must be able to be submitted to the clerk of the city or township in which the permanent mail ballot voter resides, in person, by mail, or online.
  (2) No later than 60 days before a presidential primary election, each city or township clerk shall send a presidential primary ballot selection form, with prepaid return postage, to all permanent mail ballot voters in the city or township who have not made a presidential primary ballot selection for the presidential primary election. If a permanent mail ballot voter does not return a presidential primary ballot selection form by the fortieth day before a presidential primary election, the city or township clerk shall notify that permanent mail ballot voter by telephone, email, and text message, if available, of the requirement to make a political party ballot selection in order to receive a presidential primary election ballot. If the city or township clerk does not have the telephone number or email address of the permanent mail ballot voter, the city or township clerk must notify the permanent mail ballot voter by United States mail, and may also notify the permanent mail ballot voter by any other available method of contact.
  (3) If an elector becomes a permanent mail ballot voter in a city or township after the clerk sends the presidential primary ballot selection forms as required under subsection (2), and the elector has not made a presidential primary ballot selection for the presidential primary election, the clerk of the city or township must immediately send the voter a presidential primary ballot selection form, with prepaid return postage.
  (4) If the presidential primary election ballot contains any office or proposal other than for the office of President of the United States, a ballot with those other offices or proposals that does not include the office of President of the United States must be sent to those permanent mail ballot voters who have not made a presidential primary ballot selection for the presidential primary election. In addition, a ballot sent under this subsection must include a notice on a form as prescribed by the secretary of state that indicates both of the following:
  (a) The permanent mail ballot voter did not receive a presidential primary election ballot because the permanent mail ballot voter did not make a presidential primary ballot selection.
  (b) The process by which the permanent mail ballot voter can participate in the presidential primary election.
  (5) A presidential primary ballot selection form sent under this section must be sent to the address designated by the permanent mail ballot voter to which the voter's absent voter ballot is sent.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 86, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.759g Discontinuation of permanent absent voter ballot application lists.

Sec. 759g.

  The secretary of state shall provide instructions to county, city, and township clerks regarding the discontinuation of any permanent absent voter ballot application list maintained by a county, city, or township clerk for electors who automatically receive an absent voter ballot application before each election.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 86, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.760 Absent voters; records, public inspection.

Sec. 760.

   Upon receipt of such properly executed application, as above provided, the city, township or village clerk shall file the same in his office and shall enter the name of the applicant and the address to which the ballot or ballots are to be sent upon a list or record to be kept for such purpose, together with the date of receiving the application, the date of mailing or delivering the ballot or ballots to such voter, the date of receiving the ballot from such voter, and such other information as may seem necessary or advisable. Applications and lists shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable hours.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.761 Absent voter ballots; mailing or delivering to applicant; rejection of application; notice; return envelope; form; statement; false statement as misdemeanor or felony; presenting of identification for election purposes; affidavit.

Sec. 761.

  (1) If the clerk of a city or township receives an application for an absent voter ballot, the clerk must immediately determine if the applicant is registered to vote in that city or township and if the signature on the application agrees sufficiently with the signature on file for the individual as required in subsection (2). The clerk must immediately, upon verification of the application or, if the application is received and verified before the printing of the absent voter ballots, as soon as the absent voter ballots are received by the clerk, forward by mail, postage prepaid, or deliver the absent voter ballot to the applicant. The clerk must include with the absent voter ballot a postage prepaid absent voter ballot return envelope. A clerk shall not send an absent voter ballot to an applicant by first-class mail after 5 p.m. on the fourth day before an election. If the clerk of a city or township receives an application for an absent voter ballot from an applicant who is a program participant, as that term is defined in section 3 of the address confidentiality program act, 2020 PA 301, MCL 780.853, then the city or township clerk shall mail an absent voter ballot to that program participant at the designated address provided to that program participant by the department of the attorney general under the address confidentiality program act, 2020 PA 301, MCL 780.851 to 780.873. If the clerk of a city or township receives an absent voter ballot application after the deadline for a clerk to mail an absent voter ballot by first-class mail to the applicant under this subsection, and the clerk does not otherwise promptly provide the applicant with the absent voter ballot, the clerk must immediately notify the applicant that the applicant's absent voter ballot application was rejected as not timely received and notify the applicant of the alternative methods of voting available for that election. The clerk must notify the applicant by telephone, email, or text message, if available. In the absence of the applicant's telephone number or email address, the clerk must notify the applicant by United States mail. The clerk may also provide notice to the applicant by any other available methods of contact. Electronic notification of the rejection of the application under section 764c that provides the information required by this subsection constitutes sufficient notification to the applicant. However, an absent voter ballot application that is rejected must still be processed for any future elections indicated on that absent voter ballot application. If a county clerk receives an application for an absent voter ballot from an individual, the county clerk shall immediately forward that absent voter ballot application to the appropriate city or township clerk where that individual resides. If a city or township clerk receives an application for an absent voter ballot from an individual who is registered to vote in a different city or township, that clerk must immediately contact the individual to determine where the individual resides and should be registered to vote. If the city or township clerk determines that the individual is registered to vote in a different city or township, the city or township clerk must electronically forward the application to the clerk of the city or township in which the individual is registered.
  (2) The signature on file must be used to determine the genuineness of a signature on an application for an absent voter ballot. Signature comparisons must be made using the procedures required under section 766a. If the clerk of a city or township rejects an absent voter ballot application because the signature on the absent voter ballot application does not agree sufficiently with the signature on file or because the elector failed to sign the absent voter ballot application, the applicant must be provided notice and the opportunity to cure the deficiency as provided under section 766a. The notice must inform the applicant that the applicant must cure the deficiency by 4 p.m. on the fourth day before the election in order to receive an absent voter ballot by first-class mail. If the applicant cures the deficiency as provided under section 766a by 4 p.m. on the fourth day before the election, the clerk must immediately send an absent voter ballot and a postage prepaid absent voter ballot return envelope to the applicant as provided under subsection (1).
  (3) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, and except for ballots delivered pursuant to an emergency absent voter ballot application under section 759b, absent voter ballots must be mailed or delivered to the applicant at the applicant's registration address unless the applicant requests that the absent voter ballot be sent to a different address as provided on the applicant's absent voter ballot application. In addition, a clerk may mail or deliver an absent voter ballot, on request of the applicant, to a post office box if the post office box is where the applicant normally receives personal mail and the applicant does not receive mail at the applicant's registration address. Subject to subsections (6) and (7), an absent voter ballot may be delivered to an applicant in person at the clerk's office.
  (4) The clerk shall enclose with the ballot a postage prepaid return envelope properly addressed to the clerk and bearing on the back of the return envelope a printed statement in substantially the following form:
TO BE COMPLETED
BY THE CLERK
___________________________ ___________________________
Name of Voter Street Address or R.R. or Program Participant Identification Number
___________________________ ___________________________
City or Township County
Ward ______ Precinct ______ Date of Election _____________
==================================================================
TO BE COMPLETED BY THE ABSENT VOTER
I assert that I am a United States citizen and a registered elector of the city or township named above. I am voting as an absent voter in conformity with state election law. Unless otherwise indicated below, I personally marked the ballot enclosed in this envelope without exhibiting it to any other individual.
  I further assert that this absent voter ballot is being returned to the clerk or an assistant of the clerk by me personally; by public postal service, express mail service, parcel post service, or other common carrier; by a member of my immediate family; or by an individual residing in my household.
DATE:______________ SIGN HERE X_____________________________
Signature of Absent Voter
The above form must be signed or your vote may not be counted.
AN ABSENT VOTER WHO KNOWINGLY MAKES A FALSE STATEMENT IS GUILTY
OF A MISDEMEANOR.
==================================================================
TO BE COMPLETED ONLY IF VOTER IS ASSISTED IN VOTING
BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL
I assisted the above named absent voter who is disabled or otherwise unable to mark the ballot in marking the absent voter's absent voter ballot pursuant to the absent voter's directions. The absent voter ballot was inserted in the return envelope without being exhibited to any other individual.
____________________ ____________________ ____________________
Signature of Individual Street Address City or Township
Assisting Voter or R.R.
________________________________________________________________
Printed Name of Individual Assisting Voter
AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ASSISTS AN ABSENT VOTER AND WHO KNOWINGLY MAKES A FALSE STATEMENT IS GUILTY OF A FELONY.
==================================================================
WARNING
INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN LEGALLY BE IN POSSESSION OF AN ABSENT VOTER BALLOT ISSUED TO AN ABSENT VOTER ARE LIMITED TO THE ABSENT VOTER; AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE ABSENT VOTER'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY OR RESIDES IN THE ABSENT VOTER'S HOUSEHOLD AND WHO HAS BEEN ASKED BY THE ABSENT VOTER TO RETURN THE BALLOT; AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE JOB IT IS TO HANDLE MAIL BEFORE, DURING, OR AFTER BEING TRANSPORTED BY A PUBLIC POSTAL SERVICE, EXPRESS MAIL SERVICE, PARCEL POST SERVICE, OR COMMON CARRIER, BUT ONLY DURING THE NORMAL COURSE OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S EMPLOYMENT; AND THE CLERK, ASSISTANTS OF THE CLERK, AND OTHER AUTHORIZED ELECTION OFFICIALS OF THE CITY OR TOWNSHIP. ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL IN POSSESSION OF AN ABSENT VOTER BALLOT IS GUILTY OF A FELONY.
  (5) An absent voter who knowingly makes a false statement on the absent voter ballot return envelope is guilty of a misdemeanor. An individual who assists an absent voter and who knowingly makes a false statement on the absent voter ballot return envelope is guilty of a felony.
  (6) If an elector applies for an absent voter ballot in person at a clerk's office before 4 p.m. on the day before election day, the city or township clerk shall not issue an absent voter ballot to that elector until the elector presents identification for election purposes. If an elector does not have identification for election purposes, the clerk shall inform the elector that the elector must sign an affidavit to that effect in front of the clerk before an absent voter ballot will be issued in person to that elector. If an elector signs an affidavit under this subsection, the clerk shall issue an absent voter ballot to that elector. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and subsection (7), a clerk shall not issue an absent voter ballot in person to any elector after 4 p.m. on the day before election day. An elector who is in line at 4 p.m. on the day before election day must be issued an absent voter ballot. This subsection also applies to an individual who submits an absent voter ballot application by means other than in person at a clerk's office, but who receives that individual's absent voter ballot in the clerk's office.
  (7) An individual who registers to vote or who updates the individual's voter registration on election day in accordance with section 497 may apply for and complete an absent voter ballot in person at a clerk's office on election day. The individual shall receive the absent voter ballot, mark the absent voter ballot in a clerk's office, and return the absent voter ballot to the clerk in the absent voter ballot return envelope. An individual who is in line to register to vote or to update the individual's voter registration at 8 p.m. on election day must be permitted to register to vote or update the individual's voter registration, apply for an absent voter ballot, and vote the absent voter ballot after 8 p.m., including after 11:59 p.m. on election day if necessary. An individual who registers to vote on election day and who is in line to apply for an absent voter ballot at 8 p.m. on election day must be permitted to apply for an absent voter ballot and vote the absent voter ballot after 8 p.m., including after 11:59 p.m. on election day if necessary.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 152, Imd. Eff. July 12, 1965 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 264, Imd. Eff. July 12, 1966 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 140, Imd. Eff. May 29, 1980 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 207, Imd. Eff. May 21, 1996 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 129, Imd. Eff. May 3, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 177, Imd. Eff. Oct. 6, 2020 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 302, Eff. June 27, 2021 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 82, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.761a Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to forwarding absent voter ballots to voters when delegates are to be elected.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.761b Clerk of city or township; office hours immediately before election for receiving absent voter ballots; public notice; additional locations by resolution.

Sec. 761b.

  (1) Beginning January 1, 2019, the clerk of each city or township shall be available in his or her office to issue and receive absent voter ballots for any combination of at least 8 hours on the Saturday or Sunday immediately before election day.
  (2) At least 30 days before the date of an election, the clerk of each city or township shall post and notify the secretary of state of the hours that the clerk's office will be open on the Saturday or Sunday, or both, immediately before the election to issue and receive absent voter ballots.
  (3) Subject to the requirements for polling places in section 662, upon the approval by resolution of the governing body of a city or township, the clerk of that city or township may specify additional locations and hours that the clerk will be available to issue and receive absent voter ballots. These additional locations must allow challengers as described in section 730.
  (4) At least 30 days before the date of an election, the clerk of each city or township shall post and notify the secretary of state, if applicable, concerning the additional locations and hours that the clerk will be available to issue and receive absent voter ballots as provided under subsection (3).


History: Add. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.761d Absent voter ballot drop box; requirements; procurement and distribution of drop boxes; video monitoring; inspections; transportation of absent voter ballot return envelopes.

Sec. 761d.

  (1) Each city or township must have at least 1 absent voter ballot drop box that registered electors in the city or township may use to return completed absent voter ballot applications and voted absent voter ballots. If a city or township has more than 15,000 registered electors, that city or township must have at least 1 absent voter ballot drop box for every 15,000 registered electors in the city or township. In determining the number of registered electors in a city or township under this subsection, the city or township must use the number of registered electors that are in the city or township 150 days before the date of the election at which the absent voter ballot drop boxes are to be used.
  (2) The secretary of state shall facilitate the procurement and distribution of absent voter ballot drop boxes that can be used by a city or township to meet the requirements under subsection (1). If the clerk of a city or township applies to the secretary of state for 1 or more absent voter ballot drop boxes to meet the requirements under subsection (1), the secretary of state shall facilitate the procurement and distribution of the absent voter ballot drop boxes at no cost to the clerk of that city or township. The secretary of state bears the cost of delivery, installation, repair, and video monitoring for each absent voter ballot drop box provided under this subsection to ensure that each absent voter ballot drop box meets the requirements of this section. The secretary of state shall issue instructions regarding the application process for city or township clerks to apply for absent voter ballot drop boxes under this subsection and for the payment or reimbursement of the associated costs specified in this subsection. As used in this subsection, "video monitoring" does not include video data storage.
  (3) This section does not preclude a city or township from having more than the minimum number of absent voter ballot drop boxes required under subsection (1). Any additional absent voter ballot drop boxes used by a city or township that are beyond the number of absent voter ballot drop boxes required under subsection (1) must conform to the requirements as provided in this section.
  (4) The clerk of each city or township shall ensure that absent voter ballot drop boxes are distributed equitably throughout the city or township. In determining the location for an absent voter ballot drop box in the city or township, the clerk of the city or township must, at a minimum, consider all of the following:
  (a) Population density and distribution.
  (b) Proximity to public transportation and parking.
  (c) Accessibility, including for electors with disabilities.
  (d) Any other factors the clerk considers relevant.
  (5) Each city or township clerk shall ensure that the secretary of state has the information necessary to include on the department of state's website the location of each absent voter ballot drop box in that city or township to enable an elector to determine the location of each absent voter ballot drop box in that elector's city or township.
  (6) An absent voter ballot drop box must meet all of the following requirements:
  (a) Be clearly labeled as an absent voter ballot drop box that can be used to return completed absent voter ballot applications and voted absent voter ballots.
  (b) Be securely locked, be affixed to the ground or to another stationary object, and be designed to prevent the removal of absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballots when locked.
  (c) Be accessible 24 hours each day during the 40 days before election day, and be accessible until 8 p.m. on election day.
  (d) Be equipped with a slot or mailbox-style lever to allow absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballot return envelopes to be placed in the absent voter ballot drop box, and all other openings on the absent voter ballot drop box must be securely locked.
  (e) Be located in a publicly accessible, well-lit area with good visibility.
  (7) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, for an absent voter ballot drop box that was not ordered or installed in a city or township before October 1, 2020, the city or township clerk must use video monitoring of that absent voter ballot drop box during the 75 days before each election and on election day to ensure effective monitoring of that absent voter ballot drop box. Beginning January 1, 2026, regardless of when an absent voter drop box was ordered or installed, the city or township clerk must use video monitoring of each absent voter drop box during the 75 days before each election and on election day to ensure effective monitoring of each absent voter ballot drop box in the city or township.
  (8) The city or township clerk must immediately report to local law enforcement any vandalism involving the absent voter ballot drop box or any suspicious activity occurring in the immediate vicinity of the absent voter ballot drop box.
  (9) Only a city or township clerk, the clerk's deputy clerk, or a sworn member of the clerk's staff is authorized to collect absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballots from an absent voter ballot drop box.
  (10) Seventy-five days before each election and until election day, an individual who is authorized under subsection (9) must regularly inspect each absent voter ballot drop box used in that city or township to confirm that the absent voter ballot drop box complies with all of the requirements under this section.
  (11) Beginning 35 days before each election and until election day, an individual who is authorized under subsection (9) must collect, on any day in which the city or township clerk's office is open for business, the election materials deposited in an absent voter ballot drop box located in the city or township.
  (12) When an individual who is authorized under subsection (9) collects absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballot return envelopes from an absent voter ballot drop box, that individual must, unless traveling from 1 absent voter ballot drop box to another absent voter ballot drop box, immediately return those collected absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballot return envelopes to the city or township clerk's office.
  (13) All absent voter ballot return envelopes collected from an absent voter ballot drop box must be transported in a ballot container approved under section 24j.
  (14) Except for an absent voter ballot drop box that is located on the grounds of a city or township clerk's office, or in an official satellite office of the city or township clerk that is staffed by employees of the city or township clerk, the city or township clerk must document each time absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballot return envelopes are collected from an absent voter ballot drop box in that city or township. The documentation required under this subsection must be preserved and maintained by the city or township clerk for not less than 22 months following the election for which the absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballot return envelopes were collected and must include all of the following:
  (a) The date the absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballot return envelopes were collected from the absent voter ballot drop box.
  (b) The name of the individual who collected the absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballot return envelopes from the absent voter ballot drop box.
  (c) The location in the city or township of the absent voter ballot drop box.
  


History: Add. 2020, Act 177, Imd. Eff. Oct. 6, 2020 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 195, Imd. Eff. Oct. 7, 2022 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 85, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.762 Absent voter ballots; failure to receive application.

Sec. 762.

  If from any precinct the township or city clerk does not receive any application for absent voter ballots, the clerk shall deliver the packages of absent voter ballots intact to the chairperson or some member of the board of election inspectors of the precinct before the opening of the polls on election day.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 37, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 1956 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.763 Repealed. 1956, Act 37, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 1956.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section imposed duty upon clerk to initial 3 additional absentee ballots before delivery to board of inspectors.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.764 Absent voter ballot; instructions.

Sec. 764.

  In addition to the instructions provided to an absent voter under section 764a, the following ballot marking instructions for an absent voter concerning the method of voting shall be included with each absent voter ballot furnished an absent voter:
  (a) For a primary election, the ballot marking instructions as provided in section 736b.
  (b) For a general election, the ballot marking instructions as provided in section 736c.
  (c) For a nonpartisan election, the ballot marking instructions as provided in section 736d.
  (d) For a special election, the ballot marking instructions as provided in section 736e.


History: Add. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Former 168.764, which pertained to instructions for absent voter ballots, was repealed by Act 261 of 1995, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.764a Instructions for absent voters and absent uniformed services voters or overseas voters.

Sec. 764a.

  (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the following instructions for an absent voter must be included with each ballot or set of ballots furnished an absent voter:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ABSENT VOTERS
Step 1. Enclosed you will find voting instructions as to the method of voting. Read these carefully and then vote the ballot.
  Step 2. After voting a ballot, place the ballot in the secrecy sleeve, if any. If a secrecy sleeve is not provided, refold the ballot to conceal your votes.
  Step 3. If, after voting your absent voter ballot, you wish to take your marked absent voter ballot to your polling place on election day, or to an early voting site during the early voting period, to personally put your marked absent voter ballot into a tabulator to be counted, skip Steps 4 to 7 and proceed to Step 8. If you do not proceed to Step 8, and you wish to return your marked absent voter ballot to the clerk, proceed to Steps 4 to 7.
  Step 4. Place the ballot or ballots in the return envelope and securely seal the return envelope.
  Step 5. Sign and date the return envelope in the place designated. Your signature must appear on the return envelope or the ballot will not be counted. If you are disabled or otherwise unable to mark the ballot and required assistance in voting your absent voter ballot, have the individual who assisted you complete the section on the return envelope entitled "TO BE COMPLETED ONLY IF VOTER IS ASSISTED IN VOTING BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL".
  Step 6. Deliver the return envelope by 1 of the following methods:
  (a) Deposit the postage prepaid return envelope in the United States mail, or place the necessary postage on the return envelope and deposit the return envelope with another public postal service, express mail service, parcel post service, or common carrier.
  (b) Deliver the return envelope personally to the office of the clerk, to the clerk, or to an authorized assistant of the clerk, or to a secure drop box located in the city or township.
  (c) In either (a) or (b), a member of your immediate family including a father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, or grandchild or an individual residing in your household may mail or deliver a ballot to the clerk for you.
  (d) You may request by telephone that the clerk who issued the ballot provide assistance in returning the ballot. The clerk is required to provide assistance if you are unable to return your absent voter ballot as specified in (a), (b), or (c) above, if it is before 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the election, and if you are asking the clerk to pick up the absent voter ballot within the jurisdictional limits of the city, township, or village in which you are registered. Your absent voter ballot will then be picked up by the clerk or an election assistant sent by the clerk. All individuals authorized to pick up absent voter ballots are required to carry credentials issued by the clerk. If using this absent voter ballot return method, do not give your ballot to anyone until you have checked that individual's credentials.
  Step 7. The ballot must reach the clerk or an authorized assistant of the clerk before the close of the polls on election day. An absent voter ballot received by the clerk or assistant of the clerk after the close of the polls on election day will not be counted.
  Step 8. This step applies only if, after marking your absent voter ballot, you wish to take your marked absent voter ballot to your polling place on election day, or to an early voting site during the early voting period, to personally put your marked ballot into a tabulator to be counted. Bring your marked absent voter ballot that you placed in the secrecy sleeve under Step 2 to your polling place on election day, or to an early voting site during the early voting period, and indicate to the election inspectors that you are there to put your marked absent voter ballot into the tabulator to be counted. Before tabulating your ballot, you will be required to provide identification for election purposes to the election inspectors, or sign an affidavit that you do not have identification for election purposes, and complete the ballot application.
WARNING
All of the following actions are violations of the Michigan election law and are illegal in this state:
   (1) To vote an absent voter ballot at a meeting or gathering at which other individuals are voting absent voter ballots.
   (2) For an individual who is assisting an absent voter in marking the ballot to suggest or in any manner attempt to influence the absent voter on how that absent voter should vote.
   (3) For an individual who is present and knows that an individual is voting an absent voter ballot to suggest or in any manner attempt to influence the absent voter on how that absent voter should vote.
   (4) For an individual other than those listed in these instructions to return, offer to return, agree to return, or solicit to return an absent voter ballot to the clerk.
   (5) For an individual other than the absent voter; an individual listed in these instructions; or an individual whose job it is to handle mail before, during, or after being transported by a public postal service, express mail service, parcel post service, or common carrier, but only during the normal course of the individual's employment to be in possession of a voted or unvoted absent voter ballot.
  (2) The following instruction must be included with the instructions as provided in subsection (1) for each absent voter ballot furnished to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter:
  "For an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter, the absent voter ballot return envelope containing a marked absent voter ballot must be postmarked on or before election day and must reach the clerk or authorized assistant of the clerk within 6 days after the election. If the absent voter ballot return envelope containing an absent voter ballot for an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter is received by mail by the clerk or authorized assistant of the clerk more than 6 days after the election or is postmarked after election day, the absent voter ballot will not be counted."
  (3) If a city or township with 250 or more precincts that are subject to the exemption in section 765a(1) is unable to program an election day tabulator to accept an absent voter ballot in any election in an election year, the appropriate city or township clerk shall provide a modified version of the instructions for absent voters under subsection (1) that removes the ability of an elector to return the elector's marked absent voter ballot to the elector's election day polling place to be tabulated.
  
  


History: Add. 1982, Act 201, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1982 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 207, Imd. Eff. May 21, 1996 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 177, Imd. Eff. Oct. 6, 2020 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 25, Imd. Eff. May 1, 2023 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.764b Delivery, tabulation, and acceptance of absent voter ballots; appointment, oath, credentials, and duties of assistants; collection of absent voter ballots; prohibition; noncompliance.

Sec. 764b.

  (1) An absent voter ballot must be delivered to the clerk, or tabulated at an election day polling place or early voting site as provided under section 768a, only as authorized in the instructions for an absent voter provided in section 764a.
  (2) The clerk of a city or township may accept delivery of absent voter ballots at any location in the city or township.
  (3) The clerk of a city or township may appoint the number of assistants necessary to accept delivery of absent voter ballots at any location in the city or township. An appointment as assistant to accept delivery of absent voter ballots must be for 1 election only. An assistant appointed to receive ballots at a location other than the office of the clerk must be furnished credentials of authority by the clerk. If an absent voter's ballot is received by an assistant at any location other than the clerk's office the assistant, upon request, shall exhibit the credentials to the absent voter before the assistant accepts an absent voter ballot. An assistant, before entering upon the discharge of duties, shall take and subscribe to the oath of office as provided in section 1 of article XI of the state constitution of 1963. An assistant shall perform only the duties assigned by the clerk. An individual must not be appointed as an assistant to accept delivery of absent voter ballots who is a candidate or a member of the immediate family of a candidate whose name appears on the ballot at that election.
  (4) A clerk who receives a request from an absent voter under section 764a for assistance in returning the absent voter's absent voter ballot shall make arrangements to collect the ballot from the voter either personally or by sending an authorized assistant, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
  (a) The clerk's office issued the absent voter ballot to that absent voter.
  (b) Upon the clerk's request, the absent voter states that the absent voter is unable to return the absent voter ballot by the other means specified in instructions (a), (b), or (c) of Step 6 under section 764a.
  (c) The absent voter telephones the appropriate clerk for assistance on or before 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately before the election.
  (d) The absent voter requests the clerk to pick up the absent voter ballot within the jurisdictional limits of the city or township in which the absent voter is registered.
  (5) Notwithstanding subsection (4), a clerk who receives a request from an absent voter under section 764a for assistance in returning the absent voter's absent voter ballot may make arrangements to collect the ballot from the voter either personally or by sending an authorized assistant, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
  (a) The clerk's office issued the absent voter ballot to that absent voter.
  (b) Upon the clerk's request, the absent voter states that the absent voter is unable to return the absent voter ballot by the other means specified in instructions (a), (b), or (c) of Step 6 under section 764a.
  (6) The clerk shall maintain a list open to the public that contains the names and addresses of all authorized assistants appointed under this section who are available to collect absent voter ballots on or before election day in that city or township.
  (7) An absent voter ballot received by the clerk before the close of the polls on election day must not be invalidated solely because the delivery to the clerk was not in compliance with section 764a or this section, however the ballot must be considered challenged and must be marked and processed as provided in section 745.
  
  


History: Add. 1982, Act 201, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1982 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 207, Imd. Eff. May 21, 1996 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.764c Electronic tracking system; tracking absent voter ballot applications and ballots; notifications; confidentiality.

Sec. 764c.

  (1) The secretary of state shall establish, acquire, or approve an electronic tracking system that allows each elector who applies to vote by absent voter ballot at an election to track, on a website or mobile application, that elector's absent voter ballot application and absent voter ballot.
  (2) For each elector who votes by absent voter ballot at an election, the electronic tracking system described in subsection (1) must indicate all of the following:
  (a) The date the elector's city or township clerk received the elector's absent voter ballot application.
  (b) If the elector's absent voter ballot application was accepted, the date of the acceptance, and if the elector's absent voter ballot application was rejected, all of the following:
  (i) A brief statement of the reason for the rejection.
  (ii) Instructions for curing the issue with the elector's absent voter ballot application, along with the deadline for curing the issue with the elector's absent voter ballot application.
  (iii) If the issue with the elector's absent voter ballot application is cured by the elector and the absent voter ballot application is accepted by the elector's city or township clerk, an update that the elector's absent voter ballot application was accepted and the date of the acceptance.
  (c) The date the elector's city or township clerk mailed or delivered the absent voter ballot to the elector, or for an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter under section 759a, the date the absent uniformed services voter's or overseas voter's city or township clerk mailed or electronically transmitted the absent voter ballot to the absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter.
  (d) If the elector's absent voter ballot was returned to the city or township as undeliverable.
  (e) The date the elector's city or township clerk received the elector's absent voter ballot return envelope, or for an eligible member, as that term is defined under section 759a(17), who returns the absent voter ballot electronically, the date the eligible member's absent voter ballot is electronically received.
  (f) If the elector's absent voter ballot return envelope was accepted, the date of the acceptance, and if the elector's absent voter ballot return envelope was rejected, all of the following:
  (i) A brief statement of the reason for the rejection.
  (ii) Instructions for curing the issue with the elector's absent voter ballot return envelope, along with the deadline for curing the issue with the elector's absent voter ballot return envelope.
  (iii) If the issue with the elector's absent voter ballot return envelope is cured by the elector and the absent voter ballot return envelope is accepted by the elector's city or township clerk, an update that the elector's absent voter ballot return envelope was accepted and the date of the acceptance, and a statement that the elector's absent voter ballot is eligible to be tabulated.
  (3) An elector must be permitted to opt in to receive notifications from the electronic tracking system by email, text message, or both email and text message. If an elector opts in under this subsection, each time any of the events described in subsection (2) occurs regarding that elector's absent voter ballot application, absent voter ballot return envelope, or absent voter ballot, the electronic tracking system must immediately notify that elector of the event by email, text message, or both email and text message, as requested by that elector.
  (4) An email address or telephone number provided by an elector in order to receive notifications from the electronic tracking system must be used only by authorized individuals who have access to the qualified voter file or by individuals authorized by the secretary of state to maintain the electronic tracking system, and is confidential and exempt from disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
  


History: Add. 2012, Act 270, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 84, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.764d Combined absent voter counting board; establishment and agreement; requirements; duties of the bureau of elections.

Sec. 764d.

  (1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary and subject to subsections (2) and (12), not less than 75 days before the day of an election, the clerk of a city or township may do any of the following:
  (a) Enter into an agreement with the clerk of another city or township, or with the clerks of more than 1 city or township, located in the same county as that city or township to establish a combined absent voter counting board to count the absent voter ballots for each participating city or township.
  (b) Enter into an agreement with the clerk of another city or township located in the same county that authorizes the clerk of 1 participating city or township to process and count the absent voter ballots for both participating entities by utilizing the absent voter counting board of that participating city or township.
  (c) Enter into an agreement with the clerk of the county in which that city or township is located to establish an absent voter counting board to count the absent voter ballots for that city or township. If a city or township has boundaries located in more than 1 county, the clerk of the city or township shall only enter into an agreement under this subdivision with the county clerk of the county in which the majority of the electors of the city or township reside.
  (2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an absent voter counting board established under subsection (1) must not be used for the first time at a general November election. For the November 3, 2020 general November election, an absent voter counting board may be established under subsection (1) and used for the first time if either of the following occurs:
  (a) An agreement is entered into under subsection (1)(a) or (b) and at least 1 of the clerks participating in the agreement has previously operated an absent voter counting board.
  (b) An agreement is entered into under subsection (1)(c).
  (3) An agreement entered into under subsection (1)(b) or (c) must comply with the established approval procedures of the governing body of each county, city, or township involved, or if established approval procedures do not exist, the agreement must be approved by resolution of the governing body of that county, city, or township.
  (4) The bureau of elections shall do both of the following:
  (a) Develop model language to be used by county, city, and township clerks for agreements entered into under subsection (1).
  (b) Develop procedures to implement this section.
  (5) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if the clerk of a city or township enters into an agreement under subsection (1), the clerk of that city or township shall file the agreement with the county clerk of the county in which that city or township is located no later than 74 days before the election at which the agreement applies. For an election occurring before January 1, 2021, the clerk of a city or township who enters into an agreement under subsection (1) is not required to file the agreement with the county clerk if all of the following apply:
  (a) The electronic voting system used by the county can be programmed to accommodate an absent voter counting board formed under subsection (1).
  (b) The county clerk agrees that the electronic voting system used by the county can be altered after completion of the ballot programming.
  (c) The appropriate board of election commissioners publicly tests the electronic tabulating equipment as required under section 798.
  (6) If the clerk of a city or township enters into an agreement under subsection (1) and that agreement covers more than 1 election, the agreement must allow any participating clerk to terminate the agreement by giving 84 days' written notice to each of the other participating clerks. If the clerk terminating the agreement is a city or township clerk, the clerk must also file the notice of termination with the county clerk of the county in which that city or township is located no later than 2 business days after the date of termination. If the clerk terminating the agreement is a county clerk, the clerk must also file the notice of termination with the bureau of elections no later than 2 business days after the date of termination.
  (7) For a combined absent voter counting board established under subsection (1)(a), all of the following apply:
  (a) The board of election commissioners of each participating city or township must appoint at least 1 election inspector to that combined absent voter counting board not less than 21 days before the election at which those election inspectors are to be used. Sections 673a and 674 apply to the appointment of election inspectors to a combined absent voter counting board.
  (b) The agreement entered into under subsection (1)(a) must designate the place for the combined absent voter counting board to count the absent voter ballots. Section 662 applies to the designation and prescribing of the combined absent voter ballot counting place in which the combined absent voter counting board performs its duties.
  (c) The agreement entered into under subsection (1)(a) must establish the time at which the election inspectors of the combined absent voter counting board report for duty.
  (8) For an absent voter counting board established under subsection (1)(c), all of the following apply:
  (a) The board of election commissioners of the city or township entering into an agreement under subsection (1)(c) shall appoint at least 1 election inspector to the absent voter counting board and the county board of election commissioners of that county shall appoint at least 1 election inspector to the absent voter counting board not less than 21 days before the election at which those election inspectors are to be used. Sections 673a and 674 apply to the appointment of election inspectors to the absent voter counting board.
  (b) In consultation with the parties to an agreement under subsection (1)(c), the county board of election commissioners shall designate the place for the absent voter counting board to count the absent voter ballots. Section 662 applies to the designation and prescribing of the absent voter ballot counting place in which the absent voter counting board performs its duties.
  (c) In consultation with the parties to an agreement under subsection (1)(c), the county board of election commissioners shall establish the time at which the election inspectors of the absent voter counting board report for duty.
  (9) The election inspectors appointed to an absent voter counting board established under subsection (1) shall comply with section 733(2) regarding election challengers.
  (10) Subject to this subsection, if the clerk of a city or township enters into an agreement under subsection (1), any absent voter ballot received by that city or township clerk after 4 p.m. on the day before an election and approved for tabulation as provided under section 766 must be delivered to the voting precinct of the elector on election day to be processed and counted. As an alternative, if the clerk of a city or township enters into an agreement under subsection (1), that city or township may authorize an absent voter counting board under section 765a(1) that is limited to only processing and tabulating absent voter ballots approved for tabulation and received after 4 p.m. on the day before an election and before 8 p.m. on election day. No later than 60 days before an election, the clerk of that city or township shall inform the county clerk of the county in which that city or township is located that the absent voter counting board has been authorized by the board of election commissioners of that city or township.
  (11) The provisions of section 765a(6) to (10) and (17) apply to an absent voter counting board established under subsection (1).
  (12) For an election occurring before January 1, 2021, the clerk of a city or township may enter into an agreement under subsection (1) not less than 23 days before the day of the election if all of the following apply:
  (a) The electronic voting system used by the county can be programmed to accommodate an absent voter counting board formed under subsection (1).
  (b) The county clerk agrees that the electronic voting system used by the county can be altered after completion of the ballot programming.
  (c) The appropriate board of election commissioners publicly tests the electronic tabulating equipment as required under section 798.
  (13) This section does not abrogate the duties or responsibilities of a city or township clerk for conducting elections under this act. In addition, this section does not provide any additional duties or responsibilities for the secretary of state for conducting elections under this act.
  
  


History: Add. 2020, Act 95, Imd. Eff. June 23, 2020 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.765 Absent voter ballot return envelopes; safekeeping by clerk; delivery of envelopes; review and verification of signatures for tabulation; absent voter counting board; voter ballot received after polls closed.

Sec. 765.

  (1) The clerk of a city or township who receives an absent voter ballot return envelope containing the marked ballot of an absent voter shall not open that sealed absent voter ballot return envelope and shall safely keep the sealed absent voter ballot return envelopes in the clerk's office until delivering the absent voter ballot return envelopes to a precinct board of election inspectors, an absent voter counting board, or a team of election inspectors as provided under subsection (3).
  (2) The city or township clerk shall review each absent voter ballot return envelope to determine whether the absent voter ballot is approved for tabulation in accordance with section 766. The review under this subsection includes verifying the signature on each absent voter ballot return envelope in accordance with section 766a. Subject to section 768, a precinct board of election inspectors or an absent voter counting board must not make any further signature verification for an absent voter ballot return envelope. Written or stamped on each absent voter ballot return envelope must be the date, and the time and date if received on election day, that the absent voter ballot return envelope was received by the city or township clerk and a statement by the city or township clerk that the absent voter ballot is approved for tabulation. If the city or township clerk determines that the elector's signature on the absent voter ballot return envelope is missing or does not agree sufficiently with the signature on file, the clerk shall reject the absent voter ballot and provide the elector with notice and the opportunity to cure the deficiency in accordance with section 766(4).
  (3) The clerk of a city or township that is not processing and tabulating absent voter ballots before election day under section 765a(11) shall appoint 1 or more teams of 2 election inspectors, with 1 election inspector appointed from each major political party, to assist the clerk in determining whether the ballots for absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters are approved for tabulation. Beginning no earlier than 7 days before an election, a team of election inspectors appointed under this subsection shall assist the city or township clerk with the absent voter ballots that were electronically transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters under section 759a and are returned in envelopes that do not have the elector's signature affixed to the exterior of the return envelope. The election inspectors shall open the return envelope and extract the certificate that absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters are instructed to sign and return in the same envelope as the ballot, while leaving the ballot in the return envelope. The clerk shall copy the certificate bearing the elector's signature, and the election inspectors shall reinsert the certificate into the return envelope and reseal the return envelope. The clerk shall proceed to determine whether the absent voter ballot is approved for tabulation as required under subsection (2).
  (4) Except as otherwise provided under section 764d, the clerk of a city or township shall deliver absent voter ballot return envelopes to a board of election inspectors of an election day precinct only if the city or township has not established an absent voter counting board. The city or township clerk shall deliver to that board of election inspectors only those absent voter ballots that have been approved for tabulation under section 766, along with the clerk's list or record that is kept relative to those absent voters. The city or township clerk shall retain the applications in the clerk's office and shall keep the applications and lists open for public inspection during regular business hours. Absent voter ballots that will be tabulated by a board of election inspectors of an election day precinct must not be tabulated before the opening of the polls on election day.
  (5) Subject to sections 764d and 765a(11), if a city or township has established an absent voter counting board, the clerk must deliver absent voter ballots approved for tabulation as provided under section 766 to the absent voter counting board by the time the election inspectors of the absent voter counting board report for duty on election day. Except as otherwise provided in section 764d, absent voter ballots received by the clerk by 8 p.m. on election day and approved for tabulation as provided under section 766 must be delivered to the absent voter counting board.
  (6) Except as otherwise provided in section 759a for absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters, if an absent voter ballot return envelope is received by the clerk after the close of the polls, the clerk shall plainly mark the absent voter ballot return envelope with the time and date of receiving the absent voter ballot return envelope and shall file the absent voter ballot return envelope in the clerk's office. The city or township clerk shall as soon as practicable, but no later than 90 days after the election, notify by mail, telephone, or email any elector who returned an absent voter ballot return envelope with an absent voter ballot that was not tabulated. The notification provided to an elector by the city or township clerk under this subsection must inform the elector that the elector's absent voter ballot was not tabulated and the reason that the absent voter ballot was not tabulated.
  (7) As close as possible to 8 p.m. on election day, the city or township clerk shall collect absent voter ballots from the post office at which the city or township clerk regularly receives mail addressed to the city or township clerk. Any return envelopes containing absent voter ballots that are received from the post office or from voters who voted by absent voter ballot in person in the clerk's office on election day must be reviewed and approved for tabulation before being delivered to the board of election inspectors or an absent voter counting board to be tabulated.
  (8) On or before 8 a.m. on election day, the clerk shall post in the clerk's office or otherwise make public the number of absent voter ballots the clerk distributed to absent voters and the number of absent voter ballot return envelopes containing the marked ballots of absent voters received by the clerk before election day and to be delivered to the board of election inspectors or the absent voter counting boards under this act. As soon as possible after all precincts in the city or township are processed, the clerk shall post in the clerk's office or otherwise make public the number of absent voter ballots tabulated for that election. The city or township clerk shall maintain a record of the absent voter ballots that reconciles the number of absent voter ballots received as recorded in the qualified voter file with the number of absent voter ballots tabulated at the polling place locations or absent voter counting board locations in that city or township. This subsection applies only to elections in which a federal or state office appears on the ballot.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 207, Imd. Eff. May 21, 1996 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 127, Imd. Eff. May 3, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 95, Imd. Eff. June 23, 2020 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 177, Imd. Eff. Oct. 6, 2020 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 195, Imd. Eff. Oct. 7, 2022 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.765a Absent voter counting board; processing and tabulating of ballots before election; written notice; instructions and procedures; prohibition of photography or recording within counting place; violations; penalties.

Sec. 765a.

  (1) Subject to section 764d, if a city or township decides to use absent voter counting boards, the board of election commissioners of that city or township shall establish an absent voter counting board for each election day precinct in that city or township. The ballot form of an absent voter counting board must correspond to the ballot form of the election day precinct for which it is established. A city or township with 250 or more precincts may establish at least 1 absent voter counting board for each ballot form containing identical offices and candidate names, and that is considered a separate precinct for purposes of this section. After the polls close on election day, the county, city, or township clerk responsible for producing the accumulation report of the election results shall format the accumulation report as required under section 798b.
  (2) Subject to section 764d, the board of election commissioners shall appoint the election inspectors to absent voter counting boards not less than 21 days before the election at which the absent voter counting boards are to be used. Sections 673a and 674 apply to the appointment of election inspectors to absent voter counting boards under this section.
  (3) If more than 1 absent voter counting board is to be used, the city or township clerk shall determine the number of electronic tabulators and the number of election inspectors to be used in each of the absent voter counting boards and to which absent voter counting board the absent voter ballots for each precinct are assigned for counting.
  (4) In a city or township that uses absent voter counting boards under this section, the absent voter ballots must be counted in the manner provided in this section and, except as otherwise provided in section 764d, absent voter ballots must not be delivered to the polling places. Subject to section 764d, the board of election commissioners shall provide a place for each absent voter counting board to count the absent voter ballots. Section 662 applies to the designation of the absent voter counting place or places in which the absent voter ballots will be processed and tabulated by election inspectors assigned to the absent voter counting boards under this section, except the location may be in a different jurisdiction if the county provides a tabulator for use at a central absent voter counting board location in that county. The places must be designated as absent voter counting places. Except as otherwise provided in this section, laws relating to election day precincts, including laws relating to the appointment of election inspectors, apply to absent voter counting places. The provisions of this section relating to tabulating absent voter ballots by electronic voting systems apply. High-speed tabulators and software to support those high-speed tabulators, as a component of an electronic voting system approved by the board of state canvassers for use in this state, may be used to tabulate absent voter ballots in an absent voter counting board. There is no limit on the number of absent voter counting boards that may be assigned to 1 building.
  (5) The clerk of a city or township that uses absent voter counting boards shall supply each absent voter counting board with supplies necessary to carry out the absent voter counting board's duties under this act. The supplies must be furnished to the city or township clerk in the same manner and by the same persons or agencies as for election day precincts.
  (6) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the absent voter counting boards and combined absent voter counting boards shall process the ballots and returns in as nearly as possible the same manner as ballots are processed in election day precincts. The poll book may be combined with the absent voter list or record required by section 760, and the applications for absent voter ballots may be used as the poll list. Subject to subsection (11), the processing and tabulating of absent voter ballots must commence at the time set by the board of election commissioners, but no earlier than 7 a.m. on the day of the election.
  (7) An election inspector, challenger, or any other individual in attendance at an absent voter counting place or combined absent voter counting place at any time after the processing of ballots has begun shall take and sign the following oath that may be administered by the clerk, a member of the clerk's staff, or the chairperson or a member of the absent voter counting board or combined absent voter counting board:
  "I (name of individual taking oath) do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I shall not communicate in any way information relative to any ballots or the tabulation of votes that may come to me while in this counting place until after the polls are closed. Further, I shall not photograph, or audio or video record, within the counting place, except for posted election results.".
  (8) The oaths administered under subsection (7) must be placed in an envelope provided for the purpose and sealed with the red state seal. Following the election, the oaths must be delivered to the city or township clerk. Subject to this subsection, the clerk of a city or township may allow the election inspectors appointed to an absent voter counting board in that city or township to work in shifts. A second or subsequent shift of election inspectors appointed for an absent voter counting board may begin that shift at the time provided by the city or township clerk. If the election inspectors appointed to an absent voter counting board are authorized to work in shifts, at no time shall the absent voter ballots be left unattended during the transition from one shift to the next shift, or at any other time during the day after ballots are removed from the absent voter ballot return envelopes and before the absent voter ballots are sealed in the ballot container. At all times while absent voter ballots are being processed and tabulated, at least 1 election inspector from each major political party must be present at the absent voter counting place and the policies and procedures adopted by the secretary of state regarding the counting of absent voter ballots must be followed.
  (9) An individual who causes the polls to be closed or who discloses an election result before the polls can be legally closed on election day or in any manner characterizes how any ballot being counted has been marked is guilty of a felony.
  (10) Tabulated absent voter ballots must be placed in an approved ballot container, and the ballot container must be sealed after all the ballots are tabulated in the manner provided by this act for election day precincts. The seal numbers must be recorded on the statement sheet, on the ballot container certificate, and in the poll book or addendum to the poll book.
  (11) The board of election commissioners of a city or township with a population of at least 5,000, or a board of county election commissioners as provided under section 764d, may authorize that absent voter counting boards be established under subsection (1) to process and tabulate absent voter ballots between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on any of the 8 days before election day, beginning on the second Monday before election day and ending on the Monday immediately before election day. The board of election commissioners of any city or township, regardless of population size, may authorize and establish an absent voter counting board to process and tabulate absent voter ballots between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the Monday immediately before election day.
  (12) In order to participate in the processing and tabulation of absent voter ballots before election day under subsection (11), the clerk of a county, city, or township shall submit a written notice to the secretary of state no later than 28 days before election day stating the clerk's intent to participate in the processing and tabulation of absent voter ballots before election day. No later than 20 days before an election, the secretary of state shall publish on the department of state's website a list of those cities and townships that have notified the secretary of state of an intent to process and tabulate absent voter ballots before election day. No later than 18 days before an election, a clerk who notified the secretary of state of the clerk's intent to process and tabulate absent voter ballots before election day must post on the website of the city or township, if available, and in the clerk's office, a notice providing the location of the absent voter counting place, the dates and hours of operation of the absent voter counting place, and the number of election inspectors who will process and tabulate absent voter ballots at the absent voter counting place. If the location, dates, hours, or number of election inspectors changes, the clerk must publicly post a revised notice as soon as possible, but no later than the eleventh day before an election, on the website of the city or township, if available, and in the clerk's office. A revised notice must include the updated location, dates, hours, and number of election inspectors. If the clerk changes the number of election inspectors on subsequent days after processing and tabulating begins, the clerk shall post the updated number of election inspectors on the website of the city or township, if available, and in the clerk's office, no later than 10 a.m. on the day before the changes occur. If a city or township clerk fails to post a notice by 10 a.m. on the day before a change reducing the number election inspectors occurs, the clerk shall allow the number of challengers to remain at the same level even though the reduction in the number of election inspectors may have reduced the number of allowed challengers.
  (13) For each day of processing and tabulation of absent voter ballots before election day, a participating city or township clerk shall deliver the absent voter ballots approved for tabulation to an absent voter counting board. The instructions and procedures adopted by the secretary of state regarding the processing and tabulating of absent voter ballots before election day must be followed. Absent voter ballots must be processed and tabulated in the same manner and under the same requirements as absent voter ballots are processed and tabulated on election day. Election results must not be generated, printed, or reported before 8 p.m. on election day.
  (14) During the processing and tabulation of absent voter ballots before election day, each political party, and each incorporated organization or organized committee of interested citizens as described under sections 730 and 731, may designate 1 challenger for every 8 election inspectors serving at the absent voter counting place. If there are 7 or fewer election inspectors serving at an absent voter counting place, each political party, and each incorporated organization or organized committee of interested citizens as designated under sections 730 and 731, may designate 1 challenger.
  (15) During the processing and tabulation of absent voter ballots before election day, the election inspectors shall secure tabulated ballots in a sealed ballot container consistent with subsection (10) at the end of each day. Tabulated ballots may be added to a ballot container used on a previous day or may be placed in an unused ballot container. The election inspectors shall complete the poll book ballot summary at the conclusion of each day to account for absent voter ballot return envelopes and absent voter ballots processed and tabulated on that day. The poll book, or an addendum to the poll book, must be signed and dated by 1 election inspector from each major political party who is present at the location after tabulation is completed each day. The city or township clerk shall post the number of absent voter ballots tabulated each day on the website of that city or township, if available, and in the clerk's office.
  (16) A clerk shall not deliver any absent voter ballots received on a day early voting is being conducted to an absent voter counting board to be processed or tabulated until the following day. An absent voter ballot may be processed and tabulated only after receipt of the absent voter ballot appears on the registration list or an addendum to the registration list in an early voting site and the voter history of electors casting an early voting ballot on the previous day is recorded in the qualified voter file. An absent voter ballot must be canceled if the absent voter cast a ballot at an early voting site.
  (17) The secretary of state shall develop instructions consistent with this act for the conduct of absent voter counting boards or combined absent voter counting boards. The secretary of state shall distribute the instructions developed under this subsection to county, city, and township clerks 40 days or more before a general election in which absent voter counting boards or combined absent voter counting boards will be used. A county, city, or township clerk shall make the instructions developed under this subsection available to the public and shall make the instructions available for inspection by challengers in attendance at an absent voter counting board or combined absent voter counting board. The instructions developed under this subsection are binding on the operation of an absent voter counting board or combined absent voter counting board used in an election conducted by a county, city, or township.
  (18) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an individual shall not photograph, or audio or video record, within an absent voter counting place. A county, city, or township clerk, or an assistant of that clerk, shall expel an individual from the absent voter counting place if that individual violates this subsection. This subsection does not apply to any of the following:
  (a) An individual who photographs, or audio or video records, posted election results within an absent voter counting place.
  (b) A county, city, or township clerk, or an employee, assistant, or consultant of that clerk, if the photographing, or audio or video recording, is done in the performance of that individual's official duties.
  (c) If authorized by an individual in charge of an absent voter counting place, the news media that take wide-angled photographs or video from a distance that does not disclose the face of any marked ballot.
  (19) An individual shall not photograph or video record a ballot or any other election records, other than posted election results, in an absent voter counting place. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  
  


History: Add. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 95, Imd. Eff. June 23, 2020 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 177, Imd. Eff. Oct. 6, 2020 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.765b Procedure to spoil absent voter ballot.

Sec. 765b.

  (1) Not later than 5 p.m. on the second Friday before an election, an elector may submit a signed, written statement to the elector's city or township clerk requesting that the clerk do both of the following:
  (a) Spoil the elector's absent voter ballot.
  (b) Provide or mail a new absent voter ballot to the elector.
  (2) Upon receipt of a signed, written statement from an elector as described in subsection (1), the city or township clerk shall mark the absent voter ballot return envelope of that elector as "spoiled" and retain the envelope. In addition, the city or township clerk shall provide or mail a new absent voter ballot to that elector.
  (3) An elector who has returned an absent voter ballot may, before 5 p.m. on the second Friday before an election, appear in person at the elector's city or township clerk's office to do both of the following:
  (a) Spoil the elector's absent voter ballot by submitting a signed, written statement to the city or township clerk indicating that the elector wishes to have the elector's absent voter ballot spoiled.
  (b) Vote a new absent voter ballot in the clerk's office.
  (4) Upon receipt of the signed, written statement from an elector as described in subsection (3)(a), the city or township clerk shall mark the absent voter ballot return envelope of that elector as "spoiled" and retain the envelope. In addition, the city or township clerk shall issue the elector a new absent voter ballot that must be voted by the elector in the clerk's office.
  (5) Not later than 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately before an election, an elector who has lost the elector's absent voter ballot or not yet received the elector's absent voter ballot in the mail may submit a signed, written statement to the elector's city or township clerk requesting that the clerk do both of the following:
  (a) Spoil the elector's absent voter ballot.
  (b) Provide or mail a new absent voter ballot to the elector.
  (6) Upon receipt of a signed, written statement from an elector as described in subsection (5), the city or township clerk shall indicate in the qualified voter file that the original ballot is spoiled. In addition, the city or township clerk shall provide or mail a new absent voter ballot to that elector.
  (7) An elector who has lost the elector's absent voter ballot or not yet received the elector's absent voter ballot in the mail may, before 4 p.m. on the day before an election, except Sunday or a legal holiday, appear in person at the elector's city or township clerk's office to do both of the following:
  (a) Spoil the elector's absent voter ballot by submitting a signed, written statement to the city or township clerk indicating that the elector wishes to have the elector's absent voter ballot spoiled.
  (b) Vote a new absent voter ballot in the clerk's office.
  (8) Upon receipt of the signed, written statement from an elector described in subsection (7)(a), the city or township clerk shall indicate in the qualified voter file that the original ballot is spoiled. In addition, the city or township clerk shall issue the elector a new absent voter ballot that must be voted by the elector in the clerk's office.
  (9) An elector cannot spoil a ballot that has been tabulated.
  
  


History: Add. 2018, Act 127, Imd. Eff. May 3, 2018 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 177, Imd. Eff. Oct. 6, 2020 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 195, Imd. Eff. Oct. 7, 2022 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.765c Damaged or defective absent voter ballot; duplicate copy.

Sec. 765c.

  If an absent voter ballot is damaged or defective so that the absent voter ballot cannot be properly counted by the electronic tabulating equipment, a true duplicate copy of that absent voter ballot must be made by the election inspectors from different political parties and substituted for the damaged or defective absent voter ballot. A damaged or defective absent voter ballot that cannot be properly counted by the electronic tabulating equipment includes an absent voter ballot issued to an elector that is for the wrong precinct. The election inspectors shall duplicate the absent voter ballot on the correct precinct ballot only for the candidates and ballot proposals that remain the same. Each duplicate ballot must be clearly labeled "duplicate" by the election inspectors, and that duplicate ballot must bear a serial number that is recorded on the damaged or defective absent voter ballot under procedures provided by the secretary of state.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.766 Marked ballot of an absent voter; verification; approval or rejection; opportunity to cure.

Sec. 766.

  (1) On receipt of any envelope containing the marked ballot of an absent voter, the city or township clerk shall determine whether the ballot is approved for tabulation by verifying both of the following:
  (a) The elector is a registered elector and has not voted in person in that election.
  (b) Using the procedures required under section 766a, the signature on the absent voter ballot return envelope agrees sufficiently with the elector's signature on file.
  (2) Subject to section 510(8), if the city or township clerk verifies the information in subsection (1)(a) and (b), the clerk shall approve the absent voter ballot for tabulation and record in the qualified voter file that the absent voter ballot has been approved for tabulation. Subject to subsection (3), if the city or township clerk is not able to verify the information in subsection (1)(a) and (b), the clerk must reject the absent voter ballot return envelope.
  (3) If a city or township clerk rejects an absent voter ballot return envelope because the signature on the absent voter ballot return envelope is missing or does not agree sufficiently with the elector's signature on file, the elector must be permitted an opportunity to cure the deficiency as provided under section 766a until 5 p.m. on the third day following the election in order for the absent voter ballot, if otherwise valid, to be accepted for tabulation.
  (4) If an absent voter ballot return envelope that is eligible to be cured is not cured by the close of polls on election day, that absent voter ballot return envelope must be retained at the clerk's office, and must not be turned over to the board of election inspectors or to an absent voter counting board. An absent voter ballot return envelope that is cured after the close of the polls on election day, but before 5 p.m. on the third day following the election, must be accepted and the ballot tabulated if the elector has not voted in person in that election. An absent voter ballot return envelope that is not cured by 5 p.m. on the third day following the election remains rejected.
  (5) On receipt of a cure form, as provided under section 766a, that resolves the signature deficiency on an elector's absent voter ballot return envelope, the clerk shall approve the ballot for tabulation.
  (6) Not later than the sixth day after election day, each city or township clerk shall deliver the absent voter ballot return envelopes that have been cured under subsection (4) to the county clerk in a ballot container. The absent voter ballots in these cured absent voter ballot return envelopes shall be tabulated by the county clerk in a meeting of the board of county canvassers.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 82, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.766a Verification of signature; rejection of ballot; opportunity to cure; manner; notice; "signature on file" defined.

Sec. 766a.

  (1) A clerk may determine that a signature on an elector's absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot envelope does not agree sufficiently with the signature on file only after reviewing the signature using the process set forth in this section.
  (2) An elector's signature is invalid only if it differs in significant and obvious respects from the elector's signature on file. Slight dissimilarities must be resolved in favor of the elector. Exact signature matches are not required to determine that a signature agrees sufficiently with the signature on file.
  (3) If a clerk determines that the elector's signature on the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope is missing or does not agree sufficiently with the signature on file, the clerk shall reject the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope and provide the elector with notice and the opportunity to cure the deficiency as provided in this section. The clerk shall notify the elector of all of the following:
  (a) The nature of the deficiency and that the deficiency has resulted in the rejection of the elector's absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope.
  (b) The need to cure the deficiency in order for the absent voter ballot application to be accepted or for the absent voter ballot to be tabulated.
  (c) How to cure the deficiency.
  (d) The deadline for curing the deficiency.
  (e) The alternative methods of voting if the deficiency is not cured.
  (4) The clerk shall notify the elector of the deficiency described in subsection (3) within the deadlines specified under section 766b. The clerk must notify the elector by telephone, email, or text message, if available. In the absence of the elector's telephone number or email address, the clerk must notify the elector by United States mail. The clerk may also provide notice to the elector by any other available methods of contact. Electronic notification of the rejection of the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope under section 764c that provides the information required by this section constitutes sufficient notification to the elector.
  (5) An elector may cure a deficiency described in subsection (3) by completing and submitting a cure form. The secretary of state shall prescribe the content and requirements of the cure form. An elector shall be permitted to receive and return a cure form electronically, in person, or by mail with postage prepaid as a supplement to the prepaid postage for the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope. The city or township clerk in which the elector is registered may physically collect a cure form from the elector. A cure form must provide the elector the option to cure a deficiency in the elector's absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope by signing the statement required for the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope under section 759 or 761. The secretary of state shall modify the statements to reflect that the elector is signing a cure form for the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope rather than the original absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope. An elector must be permitted to submit an electronic image of the elector's physical signature in lieu of a physical signature for a cure form returned electronically. A clerk shall accept a cure form submitted under this subsection if the signature on the cure form agrees sufficiently with the signature on file, using the process as provided in this section. If the clerk determines that the signature on the cure form does not agree sufficiently with the signature on file, the clerk shall reject the cure form and contact the elector to provide information on other options to cure the deficiency and to provide the alternative methods of voting available for that election.
  (6) The secretary of state may issue instructions to clerks to provide electors with other options, other than by providing a signature under subsection (5), to cure the deficiency in the elector's absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope.
  (7) As used in this chapter, "signature on file" means any of the following:
  (a) Any signature of an elector contained in the qualified voter file.
  (b) If the qualified voter file does not contain a copy of an elector's digitized signature, or is not accessible, the signature of the elector contained on the master card.
  (c) Only for purposes of the signature comparison conducted under section 766 for an elector's absent voter ballot envelope, the signature on the elector's absent voter ballot application.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 82, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.766b Verification or rejection of absent voter ballot application or return envelope; timing based on date of election; date of receipt.

Sec. 766b.

  (1) Beginning 45 days before an election, if an absent voter ballot application or an absent voter ballot return envelope is received 6 or more calendar days before an election, the clerk must make a reasonable effort to verify or reject the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope by the end of the next business day following the receipt of that application or return envelope. If the clerk determines that the elector's signature on the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope is missing or does not agree sufficiently with the signature on file, the clerk must notify the elector as provided under section 766a by the end of the next business day following the receipt of the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope.
  (2) Subject to subsection (3), if an absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope is received 5 or fewer days before an election or on election day, the clerk must verify or reject the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope by the end of the calendar day of receiving that application or return envelope. Subject to subsection (3), if the clerk determines that the elector's signature on the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope is missing or does not agree sufficiently with the signature on file, the clerk must notify the elector as provided under section 766a by the end of the calendar day on which the application or return envelope was received.
  (3) If the clerk determines that the elector's signature on an absent voter ballot application is missing or does not agree sufficiently with the signature on file after 4 p.m. on the fourth day before the election, the elector must be notified of the rejection of the elector's absent voter ballot application under section 761.
  (4) If an absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope comes into the physical control of the clerk's office before or during the clerk's scheduled business hours on a day, that absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope is considered received by the clerk on that day. If an absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope comes into the physical control of the clerk's office after the end of the clerk's scheduled business hours on a day, or if the absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope comes into the physical control of the clerk's office on a day on which the clerk does not have scheduled business hours, that absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope is considered received by the clerk on the first subsequent day on which the clerk has scheduled business hours.
  (5) Each absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope retrieved from an absent voter ballot drop box before or during the clerk's scheduled business hours is considered received by the clerk on the day the application or return envelope is retrieved. An absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot return envelope retrieved from an absent voter ballot drop box after the end of the clerk's scheduled business hours on a day, or deposited in an absent voter ballot drop box on a day on which the clerk does not have scheduled business hours, is not considered received by the clerk until the first subsequent day on which the clerk has scheduled business hours.
  (6) An absent voter ballot return envelope that is collected by an election official through the procedure provided under 764b(4) or (5) is considered received when the election official comes into physical possession of the absent voter ballot return envelope.
  (7) Nothing in this section prevents a clerk from providing a notification to an elector under section 761 or 766 in a more timely manner than required.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 82, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.767 Repealed. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to the rejection of illegal absent voters' ballots.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.768 Absent voters' ballots; verification and preparation for tabulation procedures.

Sec. 768.

  The board of election inspectors shall verify that there is an elector's signature on the absent voter ballot return envelope and that the statement on the absent voter ballot return envelope that the ballot is approved for tabulation is complete. If the elector's signature is missing or the statement that the absent voter ballot is approved for tabulation is incomplete, the board of election inspectors must immediately contact the city or township clerk. If the elector's signature is present and the statement that the absent voter ballot is approved for tabulation is complete, the board of election inspectors shall open the absent voter ballot return envelope, take out the ballot, and, without unfolding the ballot, compare the ballot number on the ballot stub with the ballot number on the face of the absent voter ballot return envelope. If the ballot numbers match, the board of election inspectors shall detach the perforated numbered stub and prepare the ballot for tabulation, as directed by the secretary of state. Each ballot must be inserted into the tabulator. One of the election inspectors shall enter the elector in the poll book as having cast an absent voter ballot.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.768a Absent voter ballot drop off; instructions.

Sec. 768a.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided under subsection (4), an absent voter may take the absent voter's marked absent voter ballot to the absent voter's election day polling place or to an appropriate early voting site during the early voting period as provided under section 4(1)(m) of article II of the state constitution of 1963 to personally put the absent voter's marked absent voter ballot into a tabulator to be tabulated. An absent voter described under this subsection shall do all of the following:
  (a) Place the marked absent voter ballot in the secrecy sleeve that was provided to the absent voter.
  (b) Bring the marked absent voter ballot in the secrecy sleeve to the absent voter's election day polling place or early voting site.
  (c) Comply with the same identification requirements as an elector voting in person under section 523.
  (2) If an elector brings an absent voter ballot to an election day polling place or to an early voting site without a secrecy sleeve, an election inspector shall provide a secrecy sleeve to that elector and instruct the elector to place the absent voter ballot in the secrecy sleeve.
  (3) The election inspectors processing an absent voter under this section must note in the poll book that the absent voter returned the absent voter's absent voter ballot to the election day polling place or early voting site and that the absent voter's absent voter ballot was tabulated.
  (4) If the tabulators in an election day polling place cannot be programmed to accept and tabulate absent voter ballots as provided under section 764a(3), an absent voter is not authorized to return the absent voter's absent voter ballot to an election day polling place to be tabulated as provided under section 764a(3). An absent voter may still return the absent voter's absent voter ballot to an election day polling place, surrender the absent voter ballot to an election inspector, be issued another ballot, and vote that ballot in the polling place.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.769 Absent voter ballots; voting in person; return of ballot; voting in person and absent voter ballot as felony; report.

Sec. 769.

  (1) An absent voter may vote in person within the absent voter's precinct at an election, notwithstanding that the absent voter applies for an absent voter ballot and the absent voter ballot is mailed or otherwise delivered to the absent voter by the clerk. This subsection applies only if the absent voter does not vote the absent voter ballot mailed or otherwise delivered by the clerk.
  (2) Before voting in person, except as otherwise provided in this section, the absent voter shall return the absent voter ballot to the board of election inspectors in the absent voter's precinct. If an absent voter ballot is returned under this subsection, the board of election inspectors shall mark the absent voter ballot "CANCELED" and place the absent voter ballot in the regular box with other canceled ballots. This subsection does not apply to an absent voter who brings the absent voter's marked absent voter ballot to be cast on the tabulator at the absent voter's election day polling place or early voting site as provided under section 768a.
  (3) An absent voter who did not receive an absent voter ballot that the absent voter applied for or lost or destroyed an absent voter ballot the absent voter received, and who desires to vote in person in the absent voter's precinct on election day, shall sign an affidavit to that effect before an election inspector and be allowed to vote as otherwise provided in this act. However, a voter being allowed to vote under this subsection is subject to challenge as provided in section 727.
  (4) An individual who votes at an election both in person and by means of an absent voter ballot or an individual who attempts to vote both in person and by means of an absent voter ballot is guilty of a felony.
  (5) An election official who becomes aware of an individual who votes or attempts to vote both in person and by means of an absent voter ballot shall report that information to the prosecuting attorney for that county and to the secretary of state.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001—AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:—Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.—Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.—Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.—Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.—Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.—Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.769a Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to use of voting machine by absentee voter.
Popular Name: Election Code



VOTING MACHINES


168.770 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to contracts between governing bodies as to use of voting machines.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.770a Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to petition for use of voting device.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.771 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to purchase of voting machines.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.771a Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to criteria for selection of electronic voting system.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.772 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to construction and operation of voting machine.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.773 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to maintenance and custody of voting machine and uniform voting system.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.774 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to contract for purchase of voting machine.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.775 Repealed. 2017, Act 113, Eff. Oct. 25, 2017.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to requirements relating to ballot labels.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.776 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to supplies and equipment.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.777 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to delivery of voting machine model.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.778 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to control of voting machines by clerk.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.779 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to qualifications of election inspectors.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.780 Repealed. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955;—1955, Act 283, Imd. Eff. July 19, 1955.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section dispensed with all clerks and gatekeepers in any city, village or township where voting machines were used.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.781 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to duties of election inspectors and poll clerks.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.782 Repealed. 1966, Act 62, Imd. Eff. June 9, 1966.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to irregular and emergency ballots.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.782a Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to voting for more write-in candidates than space on machine.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.782b Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to emergency ballots.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.783 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to challenge of voter right to vote.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.784 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to casting of irregular ballot.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.785 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to location of voting machines.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.786 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to secrecy during voting and time limits.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.787 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to concealment of keyboard.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.788 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to locking and unlocking of voting machines.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.789 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to instructions by inspector.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.790 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to defacing or altering voting machines or labels.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.791 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to reading and announcing vote.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.791a Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to printer type voting machines.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.792 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to discrepancy in returns.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.792a Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to absent voters counting boards.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.792b Repealed. 1983, Act 181, Imd. Eff. Oct. 25, 1983.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to inapplicability of MCL 168.792a in presidential primary elections.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.793 Repealed. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to inspectors' statement forms.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.794 Definitions used in MCL 168.794 to 168.799a.

Sec. 794.

   As used in sections 794 to 799a:
  (a) "Audit trail" means a record of the votes cast by each voter that can be printed, recorded, or visually reviewed after the polls are closed. The record shall not allow for the identification of the voter.
  (b) "Ballot" means a card, ballot label, paper ballot, envelope, or any medium through which votes are recorded.
  (c) "Ballot label" means the display or material containing the names of offices and candidates or the questions to be voted on.
  (d) "Counting center" means 1 or more locations selected by the board of election commissioners of the city, county, township, village, or school district at which ballots are counted by means of electronic tabulating equipment or vote totals are electronically received from electronic tabulating equipment and electronically compiled.
  (e) "Electronic tabulating equipment" means an apparatus that electronically examines and counts votes recorded on ballots and tabulates the results.
  (f) "Electronic voting system" means a system in which votes are recorded and counted by electronic tabulating equipment.
  (g) "Escrow account" means a third party approved by the secretary of state for the purpose of taking custody of all source codes, including all revisions or modifications of source codes.
  (h) "Source code" means the assembly language or high level language used to program the electronic voting system.
  (i) "Voting device" means an apparatus that contains the ballot label and allows the voter to record his or her vote.
  (j) "Voting station" means an enclosure provided to ensure ballot secrecy during the voting of the ballot.
  (k) "Memory device" means a method or device used to store electronic data.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 1992, Act 8, Imd. Eff. Mar. 10, 1992
Popular Name: Election Code





168.794a Electronic voting system; authorization; acquisition; abandonment; use; accuracy test; applicability of subsections (1) and (2).

Sec. 794a.

  (1) Subject to this section, the board of commissioners of a county, the legislative body of a city or village, the township board of a township, or the school board of a school district, by a majority vote, may authorize, acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise, adopt, experiment with, or abandon an electronic voting system approved for use in this state in an election, and may use the system in all or a part of the precincts within its boundaries, or in combination with other approved voting systems.
  (2) A new electronic voting system shall not be used at a general election in a county, city, or township unless, in addition to the other requirements of this act, all of the following requirements are met:
  (a) The county, city, or township purchases or otherwise acquires the electronic voting system 6 months or more before the next general election to be held in that county, city, or township.
  (b) The county, city, or township uses the electronic voting system at a primary, special, or other local election held in the county, city, or township before the general election.
  (3) The appropriate board of election commissioners shall provide for an accuracy test of an electronic voting system in the manner prescribed in rules promulgated by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures for preparing test decks and conducting accuracy tests for electronic voting systems in this state.
  (4) Before an election held in a county, city, township, village, or school district, the secretary of state may randomly select and test for accuracy an electronic voting system to be used by the county, city, township, village, or school district in that election. The secretary of state shall use the test decks prepared by the secretary of state to conduct the random tests allowed under this subsection.
  (5) A board of election commissioners shall not use in an election an electronic voting system that has failed the most recent accuracy test performed on that voting system under this act. An electronic voting system may be used after any necessary corrections are made and an accuracy test is passed on the system.
  (6) Subsection (1) does not apply to a county, city, village, township, or school district after the county, city, village, township, or school district receives the secretary of state's notice under section 37. Subsection (2) shall apply to a county, city, village, township, or school district after it receives the secretary of state's notice under section 37 if, at the time of the notice, the county, city, village, township, or school district is using an electronic voting system that is the same type as the uniform voting system.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 91, Eff. Apr. 9, 2002
Popular Name: Election Code





168.794b Electronic voting system; manner of payment.

Sec. 794b.

  If federal funding or state funding is not available, the board of commissioners of a county, the legislative body of a city, or the township board of a township, on the adoption and acquisition of an electronic voting system, shall provide for all or the balance of the payment for the system.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 123, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.794c Applicability and construction of provisions; rules.

Sec. 794c.

   The provisions of sections 794 to 799a control with respect to elections where electronic voting systems are used, and shall be liberally construed so as to carry out the purpose of the provisions. A provision of law relating to the conduct of elections that conflicts with sections 794 to 799a does not apply to the conduct of elections with an approved electronic voting system. The secretary of state shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of sections 794 to 799a, in accordance with the administrative procedures act of 1969, Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, being sections 24.201 to 24.328 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code
Admin Rule: R 168.771 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.





168.795 Electronic voting system; requirements; method for rendering electronic tabulating equipment inoperable; equipping each polling place with accessible voting device.

Sec. 795.

  (1) An electronic voting system acquired or used under sections 794 to 799a must meet all of the following requirements:
  (a) Provide for voting in secrecy, except in the case of voters who receive assistance as provided by this act.
  (b) Utilize a paper ballot for tabulating purposes.
  (c) Permit each elector to vote at an election for all persons and offices for whom and for which the elector is lawfully entitled to vote; to vote for as many persons for an office as the elector is entitled to vote for; and to vote for or against any question upon which the elector is entitled to vote. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, the electronic tabulating equipment must reject all choices recorded on the elector's ballot for an office or a question if the number of choices exceeds the number that the elector is entitled to vote for on that office or question. Electronic tabulating equipment that can detect that the choices recorded on an elector's ballot for an office or a question exceeds the number that the elector is entitled to vote for on that office or question must be located at each polling place and programmed to reject a ballot containing that type of an error. If a choice on a ballot is rejected as provided in this subdivision, an elector must be given the opportunity to have that ballot considered a spoiled ballot and to vote another ballot.
  (d) Permit an elector, at a presidential election, by a single selection to vote for the candidates of a party for president, vice-president, and presidential electors.
  (e) Permit an elector in a primary election to vote for the candidates in the party primary of the elector's choice. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, the electronic tabulating equipment must reject each ballot on which votes are cast for candidates of more than 1 political party. Electronic tabulating equipment that can detect that the elector has voted for candidates of more than 1 political party must be located at each polling place and programmed to reject a ballot containing that type of an error. If a choice on a ballot is rejected as provided in this subdivision, an elector must be given the opportunity to have that ballot considered a spoiled ballot and to vote another ballot.
  (f) Prevent an elector from voting for the same person more than once for the same office.
  (g) Reject a ballot on which no valid vote is cast. Electronic tabulating equipment must be programmed to reject a ballot on which no valid vote is cast.
  (h) Be suitably designed for the purpose used; be durably constructed; and be designed to provide for safety, accuracy, and efficiency.
  (i) Be designed to accommodate the needs of an elderly voter or a person with 1 or more disabilities.
  (j) Record correctly and count accurately each vote properly cast.
  (k) Provide an audit trail.
  (l) Provide an acceptable method for an elector to vote for a person whose name does not appear on the ballot.
  (m) Allow for accumulation of vote totals from the precincts in the jurisdiction. The accumulation software must meet specifications prescribed by the secretary of state and must be certified by the secretary of state as meeting these specifications.
  (n) Be compatible with or include at least 1 voting device that is accessible for an individual with disabilities to vote in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation, including secrecy and independence, as provided for other voters. The voting device must include nonvisual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired.
  (2) Electronic tabulating equipment that counts votes at the precinct before the close of the polls must provide a method for rendering the equipment inoperable if vote totals are revealed before the close of the polls. Electronic tabulating equipment that tabulates ballots, including absentee ballots, at a central location must be programmed to reject a ballot if the choices recorded on an elector's ballot for an office or a question exceed the number that the elector is entitled to vote for on that office or question, if no valid choices are recorded on an elector's ballot, or if, in a primary election, votes are recorded for candidates of more than 1 political party.
  (3) Each jurisdiction in this state conducting an election shall equip each polling place with at least 1 accessible voting device as required under subsection (1)(n).


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 1992, Act 8, Imd. Eff. Mar. 10, 1992 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 21, Imd. Eff. Mar. 12, 1998 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 218, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 91, Eff. Apr. 9, 2002 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 127, Imd. Eff. May 3, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001--AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:--Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.--Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.--Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.--Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.--Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.--Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.795a Electronic voting system; approval by board of state canvassers; conditions; approval of improvement or change; inapplicability of subsection (1); intent to purchase statement; instruction in operation and use; disapproval.

Sec. 795a.

  (1) An electronic voting system shall not be used in an election unless it is approved by the board of state canvassers as meeting the requirements of sections 794 and 795 and instructions regarding recounts of ballots cast on that electronic voting system that have been issued by the secretary of state, unless section 797c has been complied with, and unless it meets 1 of the following conditions:
  (a) Is certified by an independent testing authority accredited by the national association of state election directors and by the board of state canvassers.
  (b) In the absence of an accredited independent testing authority, is certified by the manufacturer of the voting system as meeting or exceeding the performance and test standards referenced in subdivision (a) in a manner prescribed by the board of state canvassers.
  (2) The vendor or representative seeking approval of an electronic voting system shall do all of the following:
  (a) Deposit with the secretary of state a nonrefundable application fee of $1,500.00 for a new voting system and a fee of $500.00 for an upgrade to any existing system.
  (b) File with the secretary of state a list of all states in which the voting system has been approved for use. This list shall state how long the system has been used in the state and shall disclose any reports compiled by any state or local government concerning the performance of the system. The vendor shall remain responsible for filing this information on an ongoing basis.
  (c) File with the secretary of state copies of all standard contracts and maintenance agreements used in connection with the sale of the voting system. All changes to standard contracts and maintenance agreements shall be filed with the secretary of state.
  (d) Pay the cost for any field test required by the board of state canvassers.
  (e) State the number of voters each component of the voting system can process per hour under each of the following circumstances:
  (i) An election in which there are 10 or fewer items to be voted on the ballot by each voter.
  (ii) An election in which the ballot consists of the number of items typically voted on at a presidential general election in this state.
  (3) The board of state canvassers shall conduct a field test of all new voting systems as part of the certification process. The field test shall involve Michigan electors and election officials in simulated election day conditions. The test shall be designed to gauge voter reaction to the system, problems that voters have with the system, and the number of voting stations required for the efficient operation of an election based upon the vendor's statement provided under subsection (2)(e).
  (4) The board of state canvassers shall approve an electronic voting system for use in this state only if it meets the conditions of subsection (1) except that in an emergency situation that threatens the ability of a county, city, or township to conduct a scheduled election, the board of state canvassers may approve a correction of software or firmware after testing the software or firmware performance.
  (5) If an electronic voting system is approved for use before January 1, 1997 by the board of state canvassers, it may be used in an election. However, if the electronic voting system has its software or firmware improved or changed, the system shall comply with the requirements of subsection (1).
  (6) After an electronic voting system is approved, an improvement or change in the electronic voting system shall be submitted to the board of state canvassers for approval pursuant to this section. This subsection does not apply to the technical capability of a general purpose computer, reader, or printer to electronically record and count votes.
  (7) A county, city, township, village, or school district shall file "an intent to purchase statement" with the secretary of state 30 days before any purchase agreement is made to purchase a new voting system. The secretary of state shall provide all information concerning the operation of the voting system in Michigan or any other state to the local unit of government within 25 days after receiving the "intent to purchase statement".
  (8) The secretary of state shall instruct local election officials regarding the operation and use of an approved electronic voting system in order to carry out the purposes of sections 794 to 799a and the rules promulgated pursuant to sections 794 to 799a.
  (9) If the board of state canvassers determines that an electronic voting system that was approved under subsection (1) no longer meets the requirements described in that subsection, the board of state canvassers may disapprove that voting system. An electronic voting system that has been disapproved by the board of state canvassers under this subsection shall not be used in an election, unless it is reapproved by the board of state canvassers under subsection (1).


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 1992, Act 8, Imd. Eff. Mar. 10, 1992 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 215, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1998
Popular Name: Election Code
Admin Rule: R 168.771 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.





168.795b Printing or displaying ballot labels, questions, office titles, and names of candidates; columns, pages, and directional signs; ballot stub.

Sec. 795b.

  (1) Ballot labels must be printed or displayed in plain, clear, black type on white surface. Questions may be printed or displayed on red tinted surface and the names of candidates for nonpartisan offices on blue tinted surface. County questions may be printed or displayed on green tinted surface and local questions may be printed or displayed on buff surface. In a primary election to identify each political party, the titles of offices and the names of candidates may be arranged in vertical columns or in a series of separate pages or displays. The office title with a statement of the number of candidates to be voted for must be printed or displayed above or at the side of the names of the candidates for that office. The offices and candidates must be printed or displayed in the order provided by law, or if no such provision is made, in the order prescribed by the board of election commissioners of the county, city, village, township, or school district. If there are more candidates for an office than can be printed or displayed in 1 column or on 1 page or display, the ballot label must be clearly marked that the list of candidates is continued on the following column, page, or display, and so far as possible, the same number of names must be printed or displayed on each column, page, or display. Arrows or other directional signs may be used to indicate the place to vote for each candidate or question.
  (2) Except for ballots used for early voting that are produced by an on-demand ballot printing system, ballots that are processed through electronic tabulating equipment after the elector has voted must have an attached, numbered, perforated stub.
  
  


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.795c Indicating different parts of ballot on ballot label; placement of parts; 2 or more elections on same day; partisan elections; straight party ticket vote prohibited; appropriation.

Sec. 795c.

  The different parts of the ballot, such as partisan, nonpartisan, and questions, must be prominently indicated on the ballot label, and, if practicable, each part may be placed on a separate page, column, or display. If 2 or more elections are held on the same day, the ballot label must be clearly marked to indicate the ballot for each election. In partisan elections, the ballot label must include a position by which a voter may by a single selection record a straight party ticket vote for all the candidates of 1 party.
  
  


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 268, Imd. Eff. Jan. 5, 2016 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 269, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001—AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:—Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.—Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.—Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.—Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.—Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.—Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.796 Sample ballots.

Sec. 796.

   Sample ballots, which shall be facsimile copies of the official ballot or ballot labels, shall be provided as required by law. At least 2 copies shall be posted in each polling place on election day. Sample ballots may be printed on a single page or on a number of pages stapled together.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.796a Electronic voting system; preparation for election; equipment and supplies; voting stations.

Sec. 796a.

  (1) Before an election at which an electronic voting system is used, the board of election commissioners of the county, city, village, township, or school district shall have the system prepared for the election. The board shall provide the election board of each voting precinct with the necessary equipment and supplies.
  (2) Before an election, the board of election commissioners of a county, city, village, township, or school district shall provide a sufficient number of voting stations needed to ensure the orderly conduct of the election taking into consideration the projected turnout, the length of the ballot, and the number of voters the voting system can process per hour as determined under section 795a. As a minimum for each election, the board of election commissioners shall provide at least 1 voting station for each 400 registered voters in each precinct through August 31, 1998 and at least 1 voting station for each 300 registered voters on and after September 1, 1998. If counting centers are used, the board of election commissioners of the county, city, village, township, or school district shall establish 1 or more counting centers as needed before the election.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1987, Act 21, Imd. Eff. Apr. 24, 1987 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 215, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1998
Popular Name: Election Code





168.796b Repealed. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to instruction of election inspectors.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.797 Inspectors of election; duties; certification of equipment operation.

Sec. 797.

   Not less than 30 minutes before the opening of the polls, the inspectors of election shall arrive at the polling place and prepare the polling place for voting. The inspectors of election shall determine that the correct ballot has been provided to the precinct by comparing the ballot provided with the sample ballot and any other documents provided to the precinct. The inspectors of election shall complete required tests of the equipment of the electronic voting system and certify in writing that the equipment is operating properly. The written certification shall be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and shall include pertinent information regarding seal numbers, counters, and the operation and use of the particular equipment.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 1992, Act 8, Imd. Eff. Mar. 10, 1992
Popular Name: Election Code





168.797a Instruction in method of voting on electronic voting system; use of ballot processed through electronic tabulating equipment; procedure; detached stub; spoiled ballot; processing of challenged voter ballot; removal of ballot.

Sec. 797a.

  (1) Before entering the voting station, each elector shall be offered instruction in the proper method of voting on the electronic voting system. If the elector needs additional instruction after entering the voting station, 2 election inspectors from different political parties may, if necessary, enter the voting station and provide the additional instructions.
  (2) If the electronic voting system provides for the use of a ballot that is processed through electronic tabulating equipment after the elector votes, the elector shall transport the ballot to the ballot box, or other approved ballot container, without exposing any votes. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an election inspector shall ascertain, by comparing the number appearing on the ballot stub with the number recorded on the poll list, that the ballot delivered by the voter is the same ballot that was issued to the elector. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if the numbers do not agree, the ballot must be marked as "rejected", and the elector must not be allowed to vote. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if the numbers agree, an election inspector shall remove and discard the stub. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the election inspector shall deposit the ballot in the ballot box or other approved ballot container. If electronic tabulating equipment that deposits the voted ballot into the ballot box or other approved ballot container is used at the precinct, the election inspector shall return the ballot to the elector, and the elector shall deposit the ballot into the electronic tabulating equipment. The electronic tabulating equipment must be arranged so that the secrecy of the ballot is not violated. If required for the proper operation of the electronic tabulating equipment, 2 election inspectors from different political parties may periodically open the equipment to rearrange voted ballots and may transfer voted ballots to another approved ballot container. The requirement to compare a ballot number with the poll list does not apply to a ballot used for early voting that is produced by an on-demand ballot printing system.
  (3) A ballot from which the stub is detached must not be accepted by the election inspector in charge of the ballot box or other approved ballot container. An elector who spoils the elector's ballot may return the ballot and secure another ballot. The word "spoiled" must be written across the face of the ballot, and the ballot must be marked and secured for later return.
  (4) A ballot of a challenged voter that has the names of candidates and questions printed directly on the voted ballot must be processed in the manner prescribed for challenging a vote cast by paper ballot. A challenge to a voter voting on an electronic voting system that does not use an individual hard copy ballot must be processed in the manner prescribed for challenging a vote cast on a voting machine.
  (5) Except as otherwise provided in this act, an election inspector shall not allow any portion of a ballot, including a ballot stub, to be removed by any individual other than an election inspector from the polling place.
  
  


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 1992, Act 8, Imd. Eff. Mar. 10, 1992 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001—AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:—Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.—Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.—Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.—Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.—Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.—Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.797b Rules.

Sec. 797b.

   The secretary of state shall promulgate rules pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, being sections 24.201 to 24.328 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, governing the tabulation of ballots, certification of results, delivery of ballots and certified results, and sealing of devices and ballot boxes after the polls are closed.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.797c Computer program; disposition and use of source code.

Sec. 797c.

   A person or company providing a computer program that examines, counts, tabulates, and prints results of the votes cast by a voter on an electronic voting system shall place in an escrow account a copy of the source code of the program and any subsequent revisions or modifications of the source code. The secretary of state or an authorized agent of the secretary of state shall agree to use the information contained in the source code solely for the purpose of analyzing and testing the software and shall not disclose proprietary information to any other person or agency without the prior written consent of the vendor.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.798 Testing of electronic tabulating equipment; notice; method; sealing programs, test materials, and ballots; rules; sealing memory device.

Sec. 798.

  (1) Before beginning the count of ballots, the board of election commissioners shall test the electronic tabulating equipment to determine if the electronic tabulating equipment will accurately count the votes cast for all offices and on all questions. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be given at least 48 hours before the test by publication in a newspaper published in the county, city, village, township, or school district where the electronic tabulating equipment is used. If a newspaper is not published in that county, city, village, township, or school district, the notice shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in that county, city, village, township, or school district. The test shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by rules promulgated by the secretary of state pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, being sections 24.201 to 24.328 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. In the test, a different number of valid votes shall be assigned to each candidate for an office, and for and against each question. If an error is detected, the board of election commissioners shall determine the cause of the error and correct the error. The board of election commissioners shall make an errorless count and shall certify the errorless count before the count is started. The electronic tabulating equipment that can be used for a purpose other than examining and counting votes shall pass the same test at the conclusion of the count before the election returns are approved as official.
  (2) On completion of the test and count, the programs, test materials, and ballots arranged by precincts shall be sealed and retained as provided by this subsection and rules promulgated by the secretary of state pursuant to Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969. If the electronic tabulating equipment that is tested and certified to by the board of election commissioners will be used to count votes at the precinct, a memory device containing the tested programs, if any, shall be sealed into the electronic tabulating equipment. Upon completion and certification of the count of votes, the memory device containing the program and the vote totals shall remain sealed in the electronic tabulating equipment or, if removed from the electronic tabulating equipment, shall remain sealed in a container approved by the secretary of state, delivered to the clerk, and retained in the manner provided for other voted ballots.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 1992, Act 8, Imd. Eff. Mar. 10, 1992
Popular Name: Election Code
Admin Rule: R 168.771 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.





168.798a Separate counting center; direction and conduct of proceedings; method.

Sec. 798a.

   If a separate counting center is used, all proceedings shall be under the direction of the clerk or authorized assistants. The proceedings shall be conducted under observation by the public, but no persons except those authorized shall touch a ballot or return. Persons who engage in processing and counting of the ballots shall be deputized and take an oath that they will faithfully perform their assigned duties. If a ballot is damaged or defective so that it cannot properly be counted by the electronic tabulating equipment, a true duplicate copy shall be made and substituted for the damaged or defective ballot. Each duplicate ballot shall be clearly labeled "duplicate", and shall bear a serial number, which shall be recorded on the damaged or defective ballot.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.798b Electronic tabulating equipment; unofficial and official returns; manual count; accumulation report.

Sec. 798b.

  (1) The county clerk may conduct an unofficial count in order to provide early unofficial returns to the public. Upon completion of the count, the official returns shall be open to the public. The return of the electronic tabulating equipment, to which have been added the write-in and absentee votes if necessary, shall constitute, after being duly certified, the official return of each precinct or election district. If it becomes impracticable to count all or a part of the ballots with tabulating equipment, the clerk may direct that they be counted manually, following as far as practicable the provisions governing the counting of paper ballots. An accumulation report of unofficial results using the tabulated votes available after 8 p.m. on election day must be compiled and published using a format that clearly indicates all of the following:
  (a) The election day precinct results.
  (b) The corresponding absent voter ballot counting board results.
  (c) The corresponding early voting results.
  (d) The sum of subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) for each precinct and contest.
  (2) For a city or township with 250 or more precincts using common ballot forms instead of the election day precinct format in the absent voter counting boards and early voting sites, the accumulation report will not report results from absent voter counting boards or early voting sites as corresponding to election day precincts. Accumulation reports in each city or township described in this subsection must report the results for each election day precinct and separately report the results of each absent voter counting board and the corresponding early voting results. Each common ballot form may constitute at least 1 separate absent voter counting board and early voting precinct.
  
  


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.798c Casting absentee votes on paper ballots or ballot cards; count; recording; voting and processing absent voters' ballots; inspection of rejected ballot.

Sec. 798c.

  (1) Absentee votes may be cast on paper ballots or ballot cards or both. Absent voter ballots may be counted in the various voting precincts or may be counted by absent voter counting boards. Absentee votes cast on paper ballots may be recorded by election inspectors on ballot cards for counting by tabulating equipment.
  (2) In an election held under this act, absent voters' ballots may be voted and processed in the manner provided by this chapter.
  (3) If electronic tabulating equipment rejects an absent voter ballot due to programming required under section 795, the rejected ballot shall be inspected to confirm the presence of the error before the ballot is processed. A vote for each elective office or ballot question in which an error is confirmed shall not be counted.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 186, Imd. Eff. Aug. 5, 1969 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001--AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:--Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.--Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.--Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.--Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.--Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.--Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.799 Injuring, altering, or defacing voting device, ballot, or other equipment; interference with correct operation of equipment; enforcement; examination.

Sec. 799.

   A person shall not willfully injure any voting device, ballot, or other record or equipment or interfere or attempt to interfere with its correct operation. The inspectors of the election shall enforce the provisions of this section. The inspectors of election, at such intervals as they consider proper, shall examine any voting device, ballot, or other equipment used in the election to ascertain whether it has been injured, altered, or defaced, to detect the wrongdoer, and to repair the injury.


History: Add. 1967, Act 155, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1967 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.799a Recounting punched, marked, or stamped ballot; procedure; stray marks; releasing sealed materials.

Sec. 799a.

  (1) This section governs the recounting of a ballot on which a voter has made a selection by means of a punch, mark, or stamp.
  (2) If the electronic voting system requires that the elector cast a vote by punching out a hole in a ballot, the vote shall not be considered valid unless the portion of the ballot designated as a voting position is completely removed or is hanging by 1 or 2 corners or the equivalent.
  (3) If the electronic voting system requires that the elector place a mark in a predefined area on the ballot in order to cast a vote, the vote shall not be considered valid unless there is a mark within the predefined area. A stray mark made within a predefined area is not a valid vote. In determining whether a mark within a predefined area is a stray mark, the board of canvassers or election official shall compare the mark subject to recount with other marks appearing on the ballot. The secretary of state shall issue instructions, subject to the approval of the board of state canvassers, relevant to stray marks to ensure the fairness and uniformity of determinations made under this subsection. A secretary of state's instruction relevant to stray marks shall not be applied to a ballot unless the secretary of state issued the instruction not less than 63 days before the date of the election.
  (4) Unless a petition for recount has been filed and the recount has not been completed, ballots, ballot labels, programs, test results, and other sealed materials may be released from their original seal after 7 days following the final determination of the board of canvassers with respect to the election at which the ballots were voted. However, the released materials shall be secured and preserved for the time period required by this act and the rules promulgated by the secretary of state.


History: Add. 1990, Act 109, Imd. Eff. June 18, 1990 ;-- Am. 1992, Act 8, Imd. Eff. Mar. 10, 1992 ;-- Am. 1997, Act 137, Imd. Eff. Nov. 17, 1997 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001--AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:--Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.--Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.--Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.--Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.--Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.--Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code
Admin Rule: R 168.771 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.



Chapter XXIX
CANVASS BY THE PRECINCT INSPECTORS


168.801 Canvass of votes by precinct inspectors; public access.

Sec. 801.

   Immediately on closing the polls, the board of inspectors of election in each precinct shall proceed to canvass the vote. Such canvass shall commence by a comparison of the poll lists and a correction of any mistakes that may be found therein until they shall be found or made to agree. Such canvass shall be public and the doors to the polling places and at least 1 door in the building housing the polling places and giving ready access to them shall not be locked during such canvass.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 67, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.802 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to disposition of excess ballots.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.803 Counting and recounting of votes; intent of voter; stray marks; instructions issued by secretary of state.

Sec. 803.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this act, the following rules govern the counting and recounting of votes:
  (a) If it is clearly evident from an examination of a ballot that the ballot has been mutilated for the purpose of distinguishing it or that there has been placed on the ballot some mark, printing, or writing for the purpose of distinguishing it, then that ballot is void and shall not be counted.
  (b) A cross, the intersection of which is within or on the line of the proper circle or square, or a check mark, the angle of which is within a circle or square, is valid. Crosses or check marks otherwise located on the ballot are void.
  (c) Marks other than crosses or check marks used to designate the intention of the voter shall not be counted.
  (d) A cross is valid even though 1 or both lines of the cross are duplicated, if the lines intersect within or on the line of the square or circle.
  (e) Two lines meeting within or on the line of the square or circle, although not crossing each other, are valid if it is apparent that the voter intended to make a cross.
  (f) A failure to properly mark a ballot as to 1 or more candidates does not alone invalidate the entire ballot if the ballot has been properly marked as to other candidates, unless the improper marking is determined to be a distinguishing mark as described in this subsection.
  (g) Erasures and corrections on a ballot made by the elector in a manner frequently used for this purpose shall not be considered distinguishing marks or mutilations.
  (h) A ballot or part of a ballot from which it is impossible to determine the elector's choice of candidate is void as to the candidate or candidates affected by that determination.
  (i) A vote cast for a deceased candidate is void and shall not be counted, except that a vote cast for a candidate for governor who has died, and for whom a replacement has not been made, shall be counted for the candidate for lieutenant governor of that party.
  (j) A ballot cast that is not counted shall be marked by the inspector "not counted", kept separate from the others by being tied or held in 1 package, and placed in the ballot box with the counted ballots.
  (k) A vote shall not be counted for a candidate unless a cross or a check mark has been placed by the voter in the square before the space in which the name of the candidate has been printed, written, or placed.
  (2) If an electronic voting system requires that the elector place a mark in a predefined area on the ballot in order to cast a vote, the vote shall not be considered valid unless there is a mark within the predefined area. A stray mark made within a predefined area is not a valid vote. In determining whether a mark within a predefined area is a stray mark, the board of canvassers or election official shall compare the mark with other marks appearing on the ballot. The secretary of state shall issue instructions, subject to the approval of the board of state canvassers, relevant to stray marks to ensure the fairness and uniformity of determinations made under this subsection. A secretary of state's instruction relevant to stray marks shall not be applied to a ballot unless the secretary of state issued the instruction not less than 63 days before the date of the election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 195, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 37, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 160, Imd. Eff. Nov. 20, 1985 ;-- Am. 1997, Act 137, Imd. Eff. Nov. 17, 1997 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 268, Imd. Eff. Jan. 5, 2016
Compiler's Notes: This section was amended by Act 240 of 1964, but that act was disapproved by the voters in the November, 1964, election.Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001--AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:--Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.--Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.--Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.--Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.--Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.--Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.804 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to counting and tallying of ballots.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.805 Placement in ballots in ballot container; seal; delivery.

Sec. 805.

  After the polls close on election day, the precinct board of election inspectors shall place the ballots in the ballot container provided for ballots under section 669. The board of election inspectors shall securely fasten and seal the ballot container with an approved seal furnished with the election supplies. The seal must be affixed to render it impossible to open the ballot container without breaking the seal. The board of election inspectors shall then deliver the ballot container to the township or city clerk.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 206, Imd. Eff. July 16, 1965 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 207, Imd. Eff. June 27, 2000 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 81, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.806 Duplicate statements of returns; contents, certificate as to correctness.

Sec. 806.

  (1) The election inspectors shall then prepare duplicate statements of the returns showing the whole number of votes cast for all offices voted that are to be canvassed by the board of county canvassers, the names of the persons for whom the votes were given, and the number each person received. The election inspectors shall also prepare duplicate statements of the results on any proposed constitutional amendment or other propositions submitted to the voters at the election that are to be canvassed by the board of county canvassers, showing the whole number of votes cast, the number of votes cast for, and the number of votes cast against the proposed constitutional amendment or other proposition.
  (2) Each member of the board of election inspectors shall sign the certificate on the statement of returns as to the correctness of the returns and that the ballots have been packaged, sealed, and indorsed in the manner specified.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 65, Eff. July 1, 1968 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Section 3 of Act 65 of 1968 provides: “This act shall take effect on July 1, 1968, except in any county with a population of 400,000 or more it shall take effect on July 1, 1970.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.806a Seal; procedures.

Sec. 806a.

   Notwithstanding any other provision of this act to the contrary, when the board of election inspectors is required to seal a ballot box, voting machine, transfer case, electronic voting device, or any other election material, the following procedure shall be followed:
  (a) An election inspector shall properly affix the seal to the item and shall certify the sealing on a form prescribed by the secretary of state for this purpose.
  (b) Another election inspector who is from the other major political party than the election inspector described in subdivision (a) shall verify that the seal is properly affixed to the item and shall certify the verification on the form described in subdivision (a).
  (c) The completed form described in this section shall be securely attached to the outside of the ballot box in the manner prescribed by the secretary of state.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.807 Election results; availability.

Sec. 807.

   Immediately after the canvass has been completed, the result, stating the total number of votes received by each person voted for in said precinct for any office and the number of votes for and the number of votes against any proposed constitutional amendment or other submitted proposition, shall be made available to interested persons who may be present.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.808 Statement of returns; failure to sign certificate, falsification, penalty.

Sec. 808.

   Any member of the board of inspectors who fails to sign said certificate shall, upon conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Should any member of the board of election inspectors subscribe to any statement in said certificate which is untrue, he shall, upon conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Should any member of the board of inspectors knowingly subscribe to any statement in said certificate which is untrue, he shall, upon conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of a felony. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100.00, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court. Any person convicted of a felony under the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or by imprisonment in a state penal institution for not more than 4 years.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.809 Election returns and records; delivery; unofficial tabulation.

Sec. 809.

  (1) The board of election inspectors shall seal 1 of the statement of returns and 1 of the tally sheets or the combined tally return sheet with a red state election seal in an envelope and shall address the envelope to the board of county canvassers, in care of the judge of probate. The board of election inspectors shall deliver the sealed envelope to the clerk of the township or city. Upon receipt of the sealed envelope, the township or city clerk shall immediately deliver the envelope to the person to whom addressed. The judge of probate shall deliver the sealed envelope received by him or her to the board of county canvassers when it meets to canvass the returns.
  (2) The board of election inspectors shall seal the other statement of returns or combined tally and statement, together with the poll list, in an envelope addressed to the county clerk. The board of election inspectors shall deliver the sealed envelope to the clerk immediately upon completion of the count. The county clerk shall open the envelope at that time, compile unofficial returns, and make the returns in the envelope available to the public. The office of the county clerk shall be open on election day for election purposes and shall remain open until the last returns have been received and the clerk completes an unofficial tabulation.
  (3) If a local election to be canvassed by the board of county canvassers is not held in conjunction with a county or state election, the board of election inspectors shall deliver both sealed envelopes to the local clerk. The local clerk shall deliver both sealed envelopes to the county clerk before 11 a.m. on the day following the election. In a city or township election, in which the city or township consists of more than 5 precincts, held in conjunction with an election to be canvassed by the board of county canvassers, the board of election inspectors shall deliver the duplicate returns required by section 806 to the city or township clerk.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 65, Eff. July 1, 1968 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 241, Eff. Mar. 20, 1970 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Section 3 of Act 65 of 1968 provides: “This act shall take effect on July 1, 1968, except in any county with a population of 400,000 or more it shall take effect on July 1, 1970.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.810 Poll list; delivery to clerk.

Sec. 810.

   One of the poll lists shall be delivered to the clerk of the township or city, as the case may be, and shall be by him filed in his office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.810a Security of election materials.

Sec. 810a.

  (1) Upon request of the county clerk, a member of the board of county canvassers, or the county chair of a major political party, a city or township clerk, as appropriate, shall provide for security as prescribed in this section of the ballots, ballot boxes, and other election material described in the request and used in a precinct on election day. The city or township clerk shall provide the required security until 1 p.m. on the day immediately following the election, unless additional security is required of the clerk by the board of county canvassers under subsection (3). Subject to this section, the city or township clerk shall retain possession of the ballots, ballot boxes, keys to the boxes, keys to voting machines, and other election materials as otherwise required by law, until otherwise directed by the board of county canvassers.
  (2) Upon receipt of the election materials described in subsection (1), the clerk shall immediately place the described election materials in a secure location. The clerk shall ensure that he or she is the only person who has access to the election materials placed in the secure location. A major political party may designate individuals to monitor all access points to the secure location that contains the election material. The clerk shall provide space for an individual designated by the county chair of a major political party to monitor all access points to the secure location that contains the election materials until 1 p.m. on the day immediately following the election, unless additional security is required of the clerk by the board of county canvassers under subsection (3).
  (3) On and after 1 p.m. on the day immediately following the election, the county clerk, a member of the board of county canvassers, or the county chair of a major political party may petition the board of county canvassers for security as prescribed in this section of the ballots, ballot boxes, voting machines, and other election material described in the petition and used in a precinct on election day. If the board of county canvassers grants the petition for the additional security, the board of county canvassers shall prescribe the amount of security to be provided and the persons responsible for that security.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 207, Imd. Eff. May 21, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.811 Election returns, records, and applications; preservation; destruction; time.

Sec. 811.

  All election returns, including poll lists, statements, tally sheets, absent voters' return envelopes bearing the statement required by section 761, absent voters' records required by section 760, and other returns made by the election inspectors of the several precincts must be carefully preserved and may be destroyed after the expiration of 22 months following the primary or election at which the same were used. All applications executed under section 523, all voter registration applications executed by applicants under section 497(3) and (4), and all absent voters' applications must be carefully preserved and may be destroyed after the expiration of 6 years following the primary or election at which those applications were executed. All ballots used at any primary or election, other than ballots containing a federal office, may be destroyed after 30 days following the final determination of the board of canvassers with respect to the primary or election unless a petition for recount has been filed and not completed or unless the destruction of the ballots is stayed by an order of a court. All ballots containing a federal office, and all presidential primary ballot selection forms, may be destroyed after the expiration of 22 months following the primary or election at which those ballots were cast or forms were used.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 122, Imd. Eff. May 10, 1963 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 271, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 86, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.812 Sending election results to secretary of state; obtaining election results.

Sec. 812.

   At the time the county canvass is forwarded a county clerk shall send to the secretary of state the results of the election in each precinct in his county for each office and proposal which is being voted upon on a statewide basis, for each congressional and legislative office, and for the judicial offices of the supreme court and court of appeals. A person may obtain the election results from the secretary of state upon payment of the reproduction costs.


History: Add. 1973, Act 24, Imd. Eff. June 12, 1973
Popular Name: Election Code





168.813 Provisional ballot; tabulation; report.

Sec. 813.

  (1) Within 6 days after an election, for each provisional ballot that was placed in a provisional ballot return envelope, the city or township clerk shall determine whether the individual voting the provisional ballot was eligible to vote a ballot and whether to tabulate the provisional ballot. In making this determination, the city or township clerk shall not open the provisional ballot return envelope. A provisional ballot must only be tabulated if a valid voter registration record for the elector is located or if the identity and residence of the elector is established using identification for election purposes, along with a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document to establish the voter's current residence address if the identification for election purposes used by the elector does not contain the voter's current residence address. Before the provisional ballot is tabulated, election officials shall process the ballot as a challenged ballot under sections 745 and 746.
  (2) Within 7 days after an election, but sooner if practicable, the city or township clerk shall transmit the results of provisional ballots tabulated after the election to the board of county canvassers. The results must be transmitted in a form prescribed by the secretary of state.
  (3) Within 7 days after an election, the city or township clerk shall transmit to the county clerk a provisional ballot report for each precinct in the jurisdiction. The report must include for each precinct the number of provisional ballots issued, the number of provisional ballots tabulated on election day, the number of provisional ballots forwarded to the clerk to be determined after the election, the number of provisional ballots tabulated by the clerk after election day, and any additional information concerning provisional ballots as required by the secretary of state.
  (4) Within 7 days after an election, the city or township clerk shall transmit to the county clerk an affidavit report that includes the number of affidavits signed by voters under section 523(2). The affidavit report must be transmitted to the county clerk in a form prescribed by the secretary of state.
  (5) Within 7 days after an election, the city or township clerk shall ensure that the qualified voter file is current and includes any individual who registered to vote under section 497(3) and (4).


History: Add. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 129, Imd. Eff. May 3, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.814 Rejection of ballot by eligible elector; prohibition.

Sec. 814.

  A ballot cast by an eligible elector must not be rejected or otherwise not counted in a canvass, recount, or court order altering the certification of a canvassing board on the grounds that an election official failed to comply with a directive set forth in this act unless that ballot is otherwise ineligible under this act or federal law.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 269, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXX
THE COUNTY CANVASS


168.821 Meeting of board of county canvassers; place; time.

Sec. 821.

  (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), the board of county canvassers shall meet at the office of the county clerk no later than 9 a.m. on the Thursday after any election held in the county. The county clerk or the county clerk's staff shall determine the meeting date and time for the board of county canvassers.
  (2) If, at an election held on the May regular election date, a ballot question appears on the ballot concerning an authorized millage that is subject to a millage reduction as provided in section 34d of the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.34d, the board of county canvassers shall meet to canvass and certify the results of the vote on that proposition after May 31 and before June 15 following the election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 138, Imd. Eff. July 31, 1969 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 614, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019
Popular Name: Election Code





168.822 Board of county canvassers; canvass of returns, conclusion; failure to certify election results.

Sec. 822.

  (1) The board of county canvassers shall then proceed without delay to canvass the returns of votes cast for all candidates for offices voted for and all questions voted on at the election, according to the precinct returns, early voting returns, and absent voter counting board returns filed with the probate judge or presiding probate judge by the several city and township clerks, or for local elections according to the precinct returns filed with the county clerk, and must conclude the canvass at the earliest possible time and in every case no later than the fourteenth day after the election.
  (2) If the board of county canvassers fails to certify the results of any election for any officer or proposition by the fourteenth day after the election as provided, the board of county canvassers shall immediately deliver to the secretary of the board of state canvassers all records and other information pertaining to the election. The board of state canvassers shall meet immediately and make the necessary determinations and certify the results not later than the twentieth day after the election. The board of county canvassers and all other county staff necessary to complete the canvass must be present at all times during the completion of the canvass by the board of state canvassers. All costs associated with the completion of the canvass must be borne by the county involved.
  (3) It is the ministerial, clerical, and nondiscretionary duty of each board of county canvassers, and each of the members of the board of county canvassers, to certify election results based solely on the statements of returns from the election day precincts, early voting sites, and absent voter counting boards in the county and any corrected returns.
  (4) As used in this section and section 842, "to certify" means to make a signed, written statement.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 38, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 65, Eff. July 1, 1968 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 614, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 269, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Section 3 of Act 65 of 1968 provides: “This act shall take effect on July 1, 1968, except in any county with a population of 400,000 or more it shall take effect on July 1, 1970.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.823 Board of county canvassers; power to summon and open ballot boxes; correction of errors; summoning of election inspectors; designation of staff to count ballots and make corrections.

Sec. 823.

  (1) If it is found, upon the convening of the board of county canvassers, that the returns from any of the boards of election inspectors of the several election precincts are missing, incomplete, or incorrect, or for any other reason it is found necessary, then the board of county canvassers shall have power to adjourn from day to day until the returns shall have been procured or corrected.
  (2) The board of county canvassers is empowered to summon the persons having the boxes containing the ballots cast at the election and the keys and seals of the boxes, or having the returns or the poll lists or tally sheets used and made at the elections, to bring the boxes, keys, seals, returns, poll lists, and tally sheets before the board of county canvassers, and the board of county canvassers is authorized to open the boxes and take any books or papers bearing upon the count and return of the election inspectors of the election precincts, but the board of county canvassers shall not remove or mark the ballots.
  (3) The board of county canvassers shall correct obvious mathematical errors in the tallies and returns. The board of county canvassers may, if necessary for a proper determination, summon the election inspectors before them, and require them to count any ballots that the election inspectors failed to count, to make correct returns in case, in the judgment of the board of county canvassers after examining the returns, poll lists, or tally sheets, the returns already made are incorrect or incomplete, and the board of county canvassers shall canvass the votes from the corrected returns. In the alternative to summoning the election inspectors before them, the board of county canvassers may designate staff members from the county clerk's office to count any ballots that the election inspectors failed to count, to make correct returns in case, in the judgment of the board of county canvassers after examining the returns, poll lists, or tally sheets, the returns already made are incorrect or incomplete, and the board of county canvassers shall canvass the votes from the corrected returns. When the examination of the papers is completed, or the ballots have been counted, they shall be returned to the ballot boxes or delivered to the persons entitled by law to their custody, and the boxes shall be locked and sealed and delivered to the legal custodians.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 65, Eff. July 1, 1968 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Section 3 of Act 65 of 1968 provides: “This act shall take effect on July 1, 1968, except in any county with a population of 400,000 or more it shall take effect on July 1, 1970.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.824 Board of county canvassers; statement of votes; preparation; seal.

Sec. 824.

  (1) Upon completion of the canvass under section 822, the board of county canvassers shall prepare a statement in detail of the number of votes cast for each office, the names of the persons for whom such votes were given, and the number of votes given to each person, as shown by the returns of the boards of inspectors of election of the various voting precincts of the county. The board of county canvassers shall also prepare a statement in detail of the number of votes cast on any proposed constitutional amendment or other ballot question submitted to the electors at the election and the number of votes cast in favor of and the number of votes cast against such proposed amendment or other ballot question, as shown by such returns.
  (2) Immediately upon completion of the canvass under section 822, the board of county canvassers shall seal the statement of returns or combined tally and statement and poll list, if applicable, received from the board of election inspectors in an envelope to prevent tampering with those items.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.824a Board of county canvassers; disclosure of out-of-balance precincts.

Sec. 824a.

  In any statement prepared under section 824, the board of county canvassers shall disclose the number of out-of-balance precincts that were not reconciled during the county canvass process.


History: Add. 2018, Act 614, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019
Popular Name: Election Code





168.825 Statements of votes; contents, certification, filing.

Sec. 825.

   In said statements, the whole number of votes given for each office, the names of the candidates and the number of votes given to each, the whole number of votes given on any proposed constitutional amendment or other proposition submitted to the electors at such election, and the number of votes given for and the number of votes given against such proposed amendment or other proposition shall be written out in words at length, and the number of votes shall in each case be also stated in figures. Each such statement shall be certified to by the said board of county canvassers, under their hands and the seal of the circuit court of the county, and shall be attested by the clerk of said board. Thus certified and attested, each such statement shall be filed with the county clerk and kept by him in his office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.826 Determination and declaration of election results; preparation, delivery, and filing of certificate of determination; publication of statement of votes; certified certificate of election.

Sec. 826.

  (1) The board of county canvassers shall determine and declare the result of the election for county and local officers, and for all county and local ballot questions. If a state senatorial or representative district is located solely within 1 county, the board of county canvassers shall determine and declare the result of the election for that office. Upon making the determination under this subsection, the board of county canvassers shall prepare a certificate of determination and deliver the properly certified certificate of determination to the county clerk. If the determination relates to a state senatorial or representative district located solely within 1 county, the board of county canvassers shall also deliver the properly certified certificate of determination to the board of state canvassers.
  (2) Upon receipt of a properly certified certificate of determination from a board of county canvassers under subsection (1), the county clerk shall file the certificate in his or her office. The county clerk may have a statement of the total county or district votes cast for the various candidates and the total vote cast for and against the various ballot questions at the election to be published in at least 1 newspaper printed or circulated in that county. The county clerk shall immediately execute and deliver to the persons declared elected, a properly certified certificate of election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 65, Eff. July 1, 1968 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 162, Eff. Mar. 31, 1986 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 217, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 119, Imd. Eff. July 29, 2003 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Compiler's Notes: Section 3 of Act 65 of 1968 provides: “This act shall take effect on July 1, 1968, except in any county with a population of 400,000 or more it shall take effect on July 1, 1970.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.827 Certificate of determination to secretary of state.

Sec. 827.

   The county clerk of each county which alone constitutes 1 or more senatorial or representative districts shall, upon suitable blank forms furnished by the secretary of state, transmit by mail, without delay, to the secretary of state a copy of such certificate of determination certified by said county clerk under his hand and seal of office. The said county clerk shall at the same time report to the secretary of state the postoffice address of each person elected in said county to any county office or to the office of state senator or representative in the legislature.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.828 Statements of votes; certified copy to secretary of state.

Sec. 828.

   The clerk of the board of county canvassers forthwith, and in no case later than 24 hours after the completion of the canvass, upon forms provided by the secretary of state, shall deliver in person or send to the secretary of state, by registered or certified mail with return receipt demanded, a certified copy of each of the statements prepared by the board as required by section 824 of this act, so far as such statements shall relate to the vote for any state office, electors of president and vice-president of the United States, United States senator, representative in congress, circuit judges, state senators and representatives in the state legislature, and any proposed amendment to the constitution or other question or proposition submitted at such election to the electors of the state at large, together with a certificate of authenticity signed by himself and the chairman of the board of canvassers.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 190, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 1956 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958
Popular Name: Election Code





168.829 County provisional ballot report; county affidavit report; voter registration application report.

Sec. 829.

  (1) The board of county canvassers shall include the results of the tabulated provisional ballots in the canvass of the election following procedures prescribed by the secretary of state designed to maintain the secrecy of the ballot.
  (2) Within 14 days after a primary or election, the county clerk shall transmit a county provisional ballot report to the secretary of state. The county provisional ballot report must be in a manner prescribed by the secretary of state. After the secretary of state receives a county provisional ballot report, the county provisional ballot report must be immediately available for public inspection.
  (3) Within 14 days after an election, the county clerk shall transmit a county affidavit report to the secretary of state. The county affidavit report must include the number of affidavits signed by voters under section 523(2). The county affidavit report must be transmitted in a form prescribed by the secretary of state. After the secretary of state receives the county affidavit report from the county clerk, the county affidavit report must immediately be available for public inspection.
  (4) Within 14 days after an election, the secretary of state shall transmit to the house and senate committees dealing with elections a voter registration application report that includes the number of voter registration applications executed by applicants under section 497(3) and (4).


History: Add. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 603, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.829, which pertained to meetings for canvass of special elections, was repealed by Act 222 of 1977, Imd. Eff. Nov. 23, 1977.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.830 County clerk; compensation.

Sec. 830.

  Each county clerk must receive reasonable compensation for services performed under this act as is allowed by the county board of commissioners, which compensation must be paid out of the treasury of the county.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 341, Eff. Dec. 12, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 614, Eff. Mar. 28, 2019
Popular Name: Election Code





168.831 Defect or mechanical malfunction in election equipment or material; inability of elector to cast valid vote; petition for special election.

Sec. 831.

   If an elector cannot cast a valid vote at an election for the candidate of that elector's choice or for or against a ballot question submitted to the voters because of a defect in or a mechanical malfunction of a voting machine, voting device, ballot, or other election equipment or material, a special election may be petitioned for and held as provided for in sections 832 to 839.


History: Add. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 95, Imd. Eff. June 6, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.832 Defect or mechanical malfunction described in MCL 168.831; aggrieved candidate or elector; filing petition for special election.

Sec. 832.

   A candidate aggrieved by a defect or mechanical malfunction as described in section 831 or a registered elector, whose name appears in a poll book at the election for a ballot question aggrieved by a defect or mechanical malfunction as described in section 831, may petition for a special election. The petition shall be filed with the secretary or clerk of the board of canvassers that canvasses the election no later than 10 days after the date of the election.


History: Add. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 95, Imd. Eff. June 6, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.833 Petition for special election; requirements.

Sec. 833.

   A petition filed under section 832 shall meet all of the following requirements:
  (a) Be typed or printed.
  (b) Allege the facts that made it impossible to cast a vote for the petitioning candidate or for or against the ballot question.
  (c) Identify the precinct and city or township, and, if applicable, the number of the voting machine or device.
  (d) Be signed and certified by the candidate or elector.


History: Add. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 95, Imd. Eff. June 6, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.834 Repealed. 1990, Act 95, Imd. Eff. June 6, 1990.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to service of petition for special election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.835 Petition for special election; qualification; meeting of board of canvassers; notice of time and place.

Sec. 835.

   The secretary or clerk of the board of canvassers shall determine if a petition meets the requirements of section 833. If a petition is so qualified, the secretary or clerk shall call a meeting of the board of canvassers no later than 5 days after receipt of the petition. The secretary or clerk shall notify the following persons by first class mail or phone of the time and place of the meeting:
  (a) The appropriate city or township clerk.
  (b) If the election was a general election or special election, each candidate whose name appears on the ballot for the same office.
  (c) If the election was a primary election, each candidate whose name appears on the ballot for the same office under the political party of the candidate.
  (d) The filer or sponsor of the ballot question, if known, any ballot question committee filed under Act No. 388 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 169.201 to 169.282 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, supporting or opposing the ballot question, and the registered elector who filed the petition under section 832.


History: Add. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 95, Imd. Eff. June 6, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.836 Ordering special election in precinct affected by defect or mechanical malfunction; conditions; effect of votes in excess of electors.

Sec. 836.

  (1) The board of canvassers shall order a special election for the office of the petitioning candidate or the ballot question only in each precinct affected by a defect or mechanical malfunction as described in section 831 if all of the following are true:
  (a) An elector could not cast a valid vote in the precinct for the petitioning candidate or for or against the ballot question because of the defect or mechanical malfunction.
  (b) Based on the available canvass, the number of electors who could not cast valid votes for the office or for or against the ballot question in an election because of the defect or mechanical malfunction is greater than the number of votes separating the candidates getting the most and the second most number of votes or is greater than the number of votes separating total "yes" votes and the total "no" votes.
  (2) If the number of votes for an office or for or against a ballot question recorded on a voting machine exceeds the number of electors that voted on the machine, then for the purposes of subsection (1), the difference shall be regarded as the number of electors who, because of a defect or mechanical malfunction as described in section 831, could not cast valid votes for the office or for or against the ballot question.


History: Add. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 95, Imd. Eff. June 6, 1990
Popular Name: Election Code





168.837 Special election to be conducted by mail; sending ballot to each elector; time limitation; request from board of canvassers; time for returning ballot.

Sec. 837.

  (1) A special election ordered under section 836 shall be conducted by mail. Not later than 5 days after the order, the city or township clerk shall send a ballot to each elector whose name was entered in the poll book as having voted in that precinct at the election.
  (2) The ballot shall include a request from the board of canvassers that the elector cast a ballot as the elector did or attempted to cast at the election.
  (3) Electors shall have 5 days after the date of mailing to return the ballot to the city or township clerk either by mail or in person.


History: Add. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983
Popular Name: Election Code





168.838 Counting and reporting ballots; manner; count to include number of votes cast by absent voters.

Sec. 838.

   Ballots returned under section 837 shall be counted and reported in the same manner provided in this act for the counting and reporting of absent voter ballots. The count shall include the number of votes cast by absent voters as shown by the original canvass for that precinct.


History: Add. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983
Popular Name: Election Code





168.839 Candidate not required to petition for recount; special election not subject to recount.

Sec. 839.

  (1) A candidate who petitions for a special election under section 832 is not required to petition for a recount.
  (2) A special election held under sections 832 to 838 is not subject to recount.


History: Add. 1982, Act 505, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXXI
THE STATE CANVASS


168.841 Board of state canvassers; duties.

Sec. 841.

  (1) The board of state canvassers shall canvass the returns and determine the result of all elections for electors of president and vice president of the United States, state officers, United States senators, representatives in congress, circuit judges, state senators and representatives elected by a district that is located in more than 1 county, and other officers as required by law. The board of state canvassers shall also determine the result of an election on a proposed amendment to the constitution or on any other ballot question that has been submitted, pursuant to law, to the qualified and registered electors of this state at large for ratification or rejection. The board of state canvassers shall canvass the returns and determine the result of an election on a ballot question submitted to the qualified and registered electors of more than 1 county under the regional transit authority act, 2012 PA 387, MCL 124.541 to 124.558. Upon making the determination, the board of state canvassers shall immediately prepare a certificate of determination and deliver the properly certified certificate of determination to the secretary of state.
  (2) Upon receipt of a properly certified certificate of determination from a board of county canvassers pursuant to section 826, the board of state canvassers, at its next meeting, shall record the results of the county canvass contained in the certificate.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 197, Imd. Eff. Nov. 24, 2015
Popular Name: Election Code





168.842 Board of state canvassers; meeting; time and place, notice, adjournment; expedited canvass of returns.

Sec. 842.

  (1) The board of state canvassers, for the purpose of canvassing the returns and ascertaining and determining the result of an election, shall meet on or before the twentieth day after the election. The secretary of the board of state canvassers shall appoint the day of the meeting, which must be as soon as practicable after the receipt of the returns from the boards of county canvassers, and shall notify the other members of the board. The board shall complete the canvass and announce the board's determination not later than the twentieth day after the election. The board may at the time of its meeting canvass the returns for any office for which the returns have been received.
  (2) If the unofficial election returns show that the election of electors of President and Vice President of the United States is determined by a vote differential between the first place and second place candidates for President and Vice President of the United States of less than 25,000 votes, the secretary of state shall direct the boards of county canvassers to canvass returns for electors of President and Vice President of the United States on an expedited schedule. The secretary of state may direct the boards of county canvassers to complete the statements for electors of President and Vice President of the United States required by section 824 and certify the statements as required by section 828 to the secretary of state by the seventh day after the election or by a date before the fourteenth day after the election.
  (3) The secretary of the board of state canvassers may appoint the day for the board of state canvassers to conduct the expedited canvass of the returns for electors of President and Vice President of the United States and determine the results of that election. The day appointed for the expedited canvass must be as soon as practicable after receipt of the returns from the boards of county canvassers, but the board of state canvassers shall complete the canvass and announce the board's determination no later than the twentieth day after the election.
  (4) It is the ministerial, clerical, and nondiscretionary duty of the board of state canvassers, and each of the members of the board of state canvassers, to certify election results based solely on the certified statements of votes from counties.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 382, Eff. Mar. 19, 2019 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 269, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001--AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:--Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.--Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.--Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.--Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.--Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.--Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.843 Statements of votes; filing and preservation by secretary of state; certified copies.

Sec. 843.

   The secretary of state, on the receipt of the certified copies of the statements of votes given in the several counties directed by law to be sent to him by the county clerks, shall place on file and preserve such certified copies in his office. If from any county clerk such certified copies shall not have been received by the secretary of state on or before the fifteenth day after any election, the secretary of state shall communicate with such county clerk by telephone, telegraph or mail, requesting that such certified copies be immediately forwarded and such county clerk shall forthwith forward such certified copies to the secretary of state. When the board of state canvassers meets to canvass the returns and determine the result of any election, the secretary of state shall lay before the board the statements received by him of the votes given at such election in the several counties.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.844 Statements of votes; examination, preparation of statement of totals by board of state canvassers.

Sec. 844.

   The board of state canvassers shall examine the statements received by the secretary of state of the votes cast in the several counties and prepare a statement showing the total number of votes cast for all candidates for each office, the names of the persons for whom such votes were cast, the number of votes cast for each of such persons, the total number of votes cast on each constitutional amendment and proposition which may have been submitted, and the number of votes cast for and the number of votes cast against each such constitutional amendment and proposition.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.845 Certifying correctness of statement; certificate of determination; certificate of election; declaration of vacancy; publication of constitutional amendment.

Sec. 845.

   The members of the board of state canvassers shall certify as to the correctness of the statement provided for in section 844 and subscribe their names to the statement. The members of the board of state canvassers shall determine which persons have been duly elected to each office and which constitutional amendments and propositions, if any, have been approved or rejected. The board shall certify the determinations and deliver the statement and certificate of determinations to the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall file and preserve the statement and certificate of determinations in his or her office and shall immediately execute and deliver a certificate of election to each person elected. If the secretary of state receives notice before the certificate of determinations is issued that the person to whom the certificate of election is to be issued died, withdrew from the district, was declared legally incapacitated by a court having jurisdiction, or submitted to the secretary of state an affidavit declaring that person's intention to refuse the certificate of election, then the secretary of state shall not issue a certificate of election and the office shall be declared vacant as of the commencement of the term of office to which that person would otherwise have been elected. The secretary of state shall also publish any amendment to the constitution that is approved and ratified with the laws enacted by the legislature at its next succeeding session.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 37, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 1956 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 162, Imd. Eff. June 21, 1976 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 217, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 119, Imd. Eff. July 29, 2003
Popular Name: Election Code





168.845a Procedure for contesting presidential election for erroneous certification or determination on the results.

Sec. 845a.

  (1) A candidate listed on the ballot for the office of President or Vice President of the United States who is aggrieved by an error in the certification or determination of the results of a presidential election by the board of state canvassers may seek judicial review of the certification or determination by a complaint for mandamus filed in the supreme court as provided in this section. A candidate is aggrieved for purposes of this subsection only if, but for the error, the candidate would have received the largest number of votes eligible to be counted in the presidential election.
  (2) The supreme court has original and exclusive jurisdiction to consider a complaint for mandamus under subsection (1). A complaint for mandamus under subsection (1) must be filed with the supreme court within 48 hours after the certification or determination of the results of a presidential election and must name the board of state canvassers as a defendant. The governor, the attorney general, the secretary of state, and the candidate certified or determined by the board of state canvassers to be the winner of the presidential election may intervene in a proceeding described under subsection (1). To have conclusive effect on the determination of electors appointed by this state, the supreme court's final order in a proceeding described under subsection (1) must be issued not later than the day before the date that the electors for President and Vice President of the United States convene under section 47.
  (3) A proceeding described under subsection (1) must not delay any of the following:
  (a) The board of state canvassers certifying or determining the results of a presidential election as required under this act.
  (b) The governor issuing or transmitting a certificate of ascertainment under section 46.
  (c) A recount as provided under chapter XXXIII.
  (4) A party in a proceeding described under subsection (1) shall not seek preliminary relief.
  (5) A proceeding described under subsection (1) is not an election audit under this act.
  (6) A proceeding described under subsection (1) is the exclusive means of seeking judicial relief from the certification or determination of the results of a presidential election.
  (7) As used in this section, "presidential election" means the statewide general November election in 2024, and the statewide general November election every 4 years after 2024, that is determined solely by the vote of electors casting ballots in the election for a candidate for President and Vice President of the United States, including the election of electors of President and Vice President of the United States as provided under chapter IV.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 255, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.846 Board of state canvassers; tie vote, determination and certification under MCL 168.852.

Sec. 846.

  If 2 or more individuals have an equal and the highest number of votes for any office, as canvassed by the board of state canvassers, the tie must be resolved and the winner certified as provided under section 852.
  
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 269, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.847 Release of ballots, ballot boxes, voting machines, and equipment.

Sec. 847.

  The secretary of state may authorize the release of all ballots, ballot boxes, voting machines, and equipment after 30 days following certification of an election by the board of state canvassers in a precinct other than a precinct in which 1 or more of the following occur:
  (a) A petition for recount has been filed with the board of state canvassers.
  (b) A petition has been filed pursuant to section 879.
  (c) A court of competent jurisdiction has issued an order restraining interference with ballots, ballot boxes, voting machines, and equipment.


History: Add. 1973, Act 157, Imd. Eff. Dec. 6, 1973 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 7, Imd. Eff. Feb. 7, 1978 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 271, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.847a Financial disclosure report; candidate for office.

Sec. 847a.

  A candidate for office, as that term is defined in section 3 of the candidate for office financial disclosure act, must file the financial disclosure report required under section 5 of the candidate for office financial disclosure act with the department of state before that candidate for office assumes office.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 267, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.848 Postelection statement; violation as misdemeanor; false statement as perjury.

Sec. 848.

  (1) Each elected candidate subject to the Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.201 to 169.282, and whose candidate committee received or expended more than $1,000.00 during the election cycle shall file a postelection statement with the filing official designated to receive the elected candidate's candidate committee campaign statements under section 36 of the Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.236. All of the following apply to a postelection statement required by this section:
  (a) The postelection statement must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state.
  (b) The elected candidate shall file the postelection statement before the elected candidate assumes office.
  (c) The postelection statement shall include an attestation signed by the elected candidate that, as of the date of the postelection statement, all statements, reports, late filing fees, and fines required of the candidate or a candidate committee organized to support the candidate's election under the Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.201 to 169.282, have been filed or paid.
  (d) The postelection statement shall include an attestation signed by the elected candidate acknowledging that making a false statement in a postelection statement is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both.
  (2) Failure to file a postelection statement as required by subsection (1) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 93 days, or both.
  (3) Making a false statement in a postelection statement required under subsection (1) is perjury, punishable as provided in section 936.


History: Add. 2003, Act 119, Imd. Eff. July 29, 2003
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXXII
DETERMINATION OF ELECTION BY LOT


168.851 Tie vote; determination of election by lot, procedure; drawing for state legislature.

Sec. 851.

   If it shall appear on the canvass of the votes polled at any election canvassed by the board of county canvassers that 2 or more persons have received an equal number of votes for the same office, and that a failure to elect to any office is caused thereby, the election to the office shall be determined in the following manner: The board of canvassers for the county in which such election was held shall appoint a day for the appearance of all affected persons before the county clerk for the purpose of determining by lot among such persons the right to the office, and shall cause notice thereof to be given to all the persons interested. The county clerk shall prepare as many slips of paper as there are such persons, and write the word "elected" on as many slips of paper as there are offices to be filled, and the words "not elected" on the remaining slips, and fold the same so as to conceal the writing and so that they may appear as near alike as possible. The slips shall be placed in a box and, at the time and place appointed for the drawing of the lots, each of the persons aforesaid may draw 1 of the slips from the box, and any person drawing a slip on which is written the word "elected" shall be deemed legally elected to the office in question and the county clerk shall forthwith give him a certificate of election. The county clerk may appoint any person present to draw a slip for any affected person who fails to appear at the time specified in the notice. If the office of county clerk is in question, the drawing shall take place before the sheriff of the county. Such determination, however, shall not preclude the right of a defeated candidate to a recount of the votes cast as provided in chapter 36.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 65, Eff. July 1, 1968
Compiler's Notes: Section 3 of Act 65 of 1968 provides: “This act shall take effect on July 1, 1968, except in any county with a population of 400,000 or more it shall take effect on July 1, 1970.”
Popular Name: Election Code





168.852 Procedure when no provision for determination of tie vote, right to recount.

Sec. 852.

   In case it shall appear that 2 or more persons have an equal number of votes for the same office for which but 1 person is to be nominated or elected and the same shall be the highest number of votes cast therefor, and no other provision is made in this act for determination of such tie, the board of canvassers, after notice to each of such candidates of a time and place therefor, shall determine the successful candidate by lot and shall declare and certify the same accordingly. Such determination, however, shall not preclude the right of a defeated candidate to a recount of the votes cast as provided in chapter 36 of this act.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXXIII
RECOUNTS
COUNTY, CITY, TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE BOARDS OF CANVASSERS


168.861 Fraudulent or illegal voting, or tampering with ballots or ballot boxes; remedy by quo warranto.

Sec. 861.

   For fraudulent or illegal voting, or tampering with the ballots or ballot boxes before a recount by the board of county canvassers, the remedy by quo warranto shall remain in full force, together with any other remedies now existing.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 38, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.862 Fraud or mistake in canvass or returns of votes; recount petition by candidate; good-faith belief in winning.

Sec. 862.

  A candidate for office who believes he or she is aggrieved on account of fraud or mistake in the canvass or returns of the votes by the election inspectors may petition for a recount of the votes cast for that office in any precinct or precincts as provided in this chapter. The candidate must be able to allege a good-faith belief that but for fraud or mistake, the candidate would have had a reasonable chance of winning the election.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 192, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 141, Imd. Eff. June 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 128, Eff. Aug. 1, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.863 Fraud or error as to proposed charter amendment or other ballot question; recount petition by elector.

Sec. 863.

  A qualified and registered elector voting in a city, township, or village election who believes there has been fraud or error committed by the inspectors of election in its canvass or returns of the votes cast at the election, upon a proposed amendment to the charter of the city or village or other ballot question submitted to the voters of the county, city, township, school district, community college district, metropolitan district, or village, may petition for a recount of the votes cast in any precinct or precincts of that county, city, township, school district, community college district, metropolitan district, or village, upon that proposed amendment or other ballot question as provided in this chapter.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 141, Imd. Eff. June 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.864 Repealed. 1996, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to conducting recount in primary election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.865 Recount petition; contents.

Sec. 865.

   Such petition shall be sworn to and shall set forth as near as may be the nature of the mistakes or frauds complained of and the city, ward, township, village and precinct in which they are alleged to have occurred, and shall ask for a correction thereof.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.866 Recount petition; filing; deadline; filing of copy with secretary of state.

Sec. 866.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), recount petitions, either for an office or proposition, other than those filed with the secretary of state, shall be filed with the clerk of the board of county canvassers that originally conducted the canvass.
  (2) For a school district election, recount petitions, either for an office or proposition, shall be filed with the clerk of the board of county canvassers that certified the result of the school district election.
  (3) Recount petitions shall be filed within 6 days after the original canvass has been completed by the board of county canvassers. A copy of the recount petition shall also be filed with the secretary of state within 2 days after the time the original recount petition is filed with the board of county canvassers as provided in this section.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 38, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 53, Imd. Eff. Apr. 22, 2010 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.867 Recount petition; filing; deposit; refund; disposition of sum deposited.

Sec. 867.

  (1) A candidate or elector filing a recount petition under section 862 or 863 shall file the recount petition with the clerk of the appropriate board of county canvassers. Except as otherwise provided in this section, at the time of filing the recount petition, the petitioner shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $25.00 for each precinct referred to in his or her recount petition.
  (2) If 1 candidate is to be elected to the office and the official canvass of votes shows that the number of votes separating the winning candidate and the petitioner is more than 75 votes or 5.0% of the total number of votes cast in the race, whichever is greater, the petitioner shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $250.00 for each precinct referred to in his or her petition. For purposes of this subsection, the winning candidate in a primary for a nonpartisan office where only 1 candidate will be elected means the candidate nominated with the lesser number of votes.
  (3) Subject to subsection (2), if 1 candidate is to be elected to the office 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 in the race, whichever is greater, the petitioner shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $125.00 for each precinct referred to in his or her petition. For purposes of this subsection, the winning candidate in a primary for a nonpartisan office where only 1 candidate will be elected means the candidate nominated with the lesser number of votes.
  (4) If more than 1 candidate is to be elected to the office and the official canvass of votes shows that the number of votes separating the winning candidate who received the least number of votes and the petitioner is more than 75 votes or 5.0% of the sum of the number of votes received by the 2 candidates, whichever is greater, the petitioner shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $250.00 for each precinct referred to in his or her petition.
  (5) Subject to subsection (4), if more than 1 candidate is to be elected to the office and the official canvass of votes 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 2 candidates, whichever is greater, the petitioner shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $125.00 for each precinct referred to in his or her petition.
  (6) If the vote is on a proposal and the official canvass of votes shows that the number of votes separating the "yes" votes and the "no" votes is more than 50 votes or 0.5% of the total number of votes cast on the proposal, whichever is greater, the petitioner shall deposit with the clerk the sum of $125.00 for each precinct referred to in his or her petition.
  (7) If, by reason of the recount, the petitioner establishes sufficient fraud or mistake as set forth in his or her recount petition to change the result of the election and receives a certificate of election or establishes sufficient fraud or mistake to change the result upon an amendment or proposition, the votes for and against which were recounted, the clerk of the board of county canvassers shall refund the money deposited to the petitioner.
  (8) If a refund is not made as required under subsection (7), the sum deposited must be paid by the clerk of the board of county canvassers to the treasurer of the county.
  (9) If a precinct referred to in the petition is determined "not recountable" as provided in section 871(3) or, subject to subsection (10), if a precinct referred to in the petition is not recounted due to the withdrawal of the petition, the money deposited for the recount of that precinct must be refunded to the petitioner.
  (10) If the votes cast on the ballots voted in a precinct have been examined and recounted, the withdrawal of the petition must not result in a refund of the money deposited for the recount of that precinct.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 200, Imd. Eff. July 18, 1980 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 406, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2014 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 130, Eff. Aug. 1, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.868 Recount petition; notice to opposing candidates; counter petition; objections to recount petition; hearing; ruling; failure to give notice to opposing candidate.

Sec. 868.

  (1) If a candidate has filed a recount petition and made the deposit under sections 862 and 867, the clerk of the board of county canvassers shall give notice of the recount petition to the opposing candidates described in this subsection within 24 hours after filing of the recount petition by delivering to each candidate a copy of the recount petition, or, if the candidate cannot be found, by leaving a copy at the candidate's last known place of residence with a member of the candidate's immediate family of suitable age. If a member of the candidate's family cannot be found, the clerk of the board of county canvassers may give notice by posting the recount petition in a conspicuous place at the candidate's last known place of residence. The clerk of the board of county canvassers is not required to give notice to candidates other than the 2 candidates who, according to the return of the board of county canvassers, received the lowest number of votes among those candidates who were nominated or elected, and the 2 candidates who, according to the return of the board of county canvassers, received the highest number of votes among those candidates who were not nominated or elected.
  (2) A candidate may file a counter petition in the same manner as the original petition under section 866 within 48 hours after the original recount petition was filed with the board of county canvassers. At the time of filing the counter petition, the counter petitioner shall deposit the sum of money as required in section 867 for the original petitioner. The clerk of the board of county canvassers shall refund to the counter petitioner the money deposited by the counter petitioner if the original petitioner does not establish fraud or receive a certificate of election. The counter petitioner shall file a copy of the counter petition with the secretary of state within 4 days after the time the original petition is filed with the appropriate board of county canvassers as provided in this section.
  (3) On or before 4 p.m. of the seventh day after a recount petition has been filed under section 866, an opposing candidate may file objections to the recount petition with the appropriate board of county canvassers. The opposing candidate shall set forth his or her objections to the recount petition in writing. Upon receipt of an objection under this subsection, the board of county canvassers shall notify the petitioner and the objecting candidate of the date of the hearing of the board of county canvassers to consider the objections. The board of county canvassers shall allow the recount petitioner and the objecting candidate to present oral or written, or both, arguments on the objections raised to the recount petition at the hearing. Not later than 5 business days following the hearing, the board of county canvassers shall rule on the objections raised to the recount petition. The board of county canvassers shall not begin a recount unless 2 or more business days have elapsed since the board of county canvassers ruled on the objections under this subsection, if applicable.
  (4) If the time designated for filing a recount petition under this section falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the recount petition may be filed on the next succeeding business day. Failure of the clerk of the board of county canvassers or the secretary of state to give notice to the opposing candidate as required in this section shall not affect the results of the recount.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1959, Act 24, Eff. Mar. 19, 1960 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 38, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 188, Imd. Eff. Aug. 5, 1969 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 51, Imd. Eff. June 11, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.869 Recount petition; investigation, delay; expenses of local recount.

Sec. 869.

   Upon the filing of a petition for recount, and the giving of notice, if notice is required to be given, the board of county canvassers shall be summoned by the clerk of the board and here make an investigation of the facts set forth in the petition. Should the recount involve a county or district office or proposition, the recount shall not be commenced until the board shall determine by communicating with the secretary of state that no petition has been filed requesting a recount by the board of state canvassers of ballots cast in the same district. In case said board shall be advised by the secretary of state that a petition has been filed with him praying for a recount by the board of state canvassers of the ballots cast in the same county or district, then no action shall be taken upon the recount until the county board shall receive instructions from the board of state canvassers. Nothing herein contained shall act to delay any recount of the ballots cast at any city, ward, township or village election if the ballots cast at such election are not sealed in the same ballot boxes with the state and county offices. With respect to any recount of ballots cast in any city, ward, township, village, school or district election, the board of county canvassers shall charge the appropriate local unit the actual and necessary expenses of conducting the recount, and the local unit shall pay such charges to the county treasurer.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Act 38, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1963
Popular Name: Election Code





168.870 Board of canvassers; investigation of recount.

Sec. 870.

   For the purpose of such investigation, the clerk, if no meeting be already appointed, shall call a meeting of such board of canvassers and the said board shall have power to issue subpoenas requiring the person in charge thereof to bring before it the ballot boxes used in the election precinct or precincts referred to in the petition, as well as the poll lists, tally sheets, statements of returns and such other documents or reports as may be deemed necessary. Said board shall safely guard such ballots, poll lists, tally sheets and returns and when no longer required shall deliver them to the officials charged with the custody thereof. Whoever, being so subpoenaed, shall fail to appear or shall fail to produce any such box, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. The persons who are required to appear before the board of canvassers shall be paid the same fees and mileage as are paid circuit court witnesses in the county. They shall be paid by the political subdivision before whose board of canvassers they appear.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.871 Recount; use of electronic voting system; use of voting machines; recount of absent voter ballots; procedures for conduct of recount; use of computer; testing software application.

Sec. 871.

  (1) The board of canvassers conducting a recount pursuant to this chapter shall recount all ballots of a precinct using an electronic voting system unless 1 or more of the following circumstances exist:
  (a) The seal on the transfer case or other ballot container is broken or bears a different number than that recorded on the poll book, the breaking or discrepancy is not explained to the satisfaction of the board of canvassers, and security of the ballots has not been otherwise preserved.
  (b) The number of ballots to be recounted and the number of ballots issued on election day as shown on the poll list or the computer printout do not match and the difference is not explained to the satisfaction of the board of canvassers.
  (c) The seal used to seal the ballot label assembly to a voting device in the precinct is broken or bears a different number than that recorded in poll records and the ballot labels or rotation of candidates' names is different than that shown by other voting devices in the precinct and records of the board of election commissioners.
  (2) This section does not prohibit the recounting of absent voter ballots tallied in a precinct using an absent voter counting board or in a precinct in which 1 or more voting machines are recountable, if the absent voter ballots are securely packaged and sealed.
  (3) If a board of canvassers conducting a recount pursuant to this chapter determines that the ballots of a precinct are not eligible for recount under this section, the original return of the votes for that precinct shall be taken as correct.
  (4) A board of canvassers conducting a recount pursuant to this chapter may conduct a recount by the following means:
  (a) A manual tally of the ballots.
  (b) A tabulation of the ballots on a computer using a software application designed to specifically count only the office or ballot question subject to the recount.
  (c) A tabulation of the ballots on a computer using the same software application used in the precinct on election day.
  (d) Any combination of methods in subdivision (a), (b), or (c), as determined appropriate by the board of canvassers.
  (5) If a board of canvassers conducting a recount pursuant to this chapter intends to conduct a recount on a computer, the board of canvassers shall first test the software application by use of a test deck to determine if the program accurately counts the votes for the office or ballot question subject to the recount. If the test under this subsection fails to show that the software application accurately counts the votes for the office or ballot question subject to the recount, the board of canvassers shall use another means prescribed in subsection (4) to conduct the recount.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 96, Imd. Eff. June 28, 1965 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 207, Imd. Eff. June 27, 2000 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 272, Imd. Eff. July 3, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.871a Challenge raised by candidate or elector; resolution; petition disagreeing with resolution; notice; hearing; ruling.

Sec. 871a.

   If a proper challenge is raised by a candidate or an elector interested in a ballot question during a recount being conducted by the board of state canvassers, a member of the board of state canvassers or other representative designated by the board of state canvassers under section 890 shall resolve that challenge before the recount is completed in that county. A candidate or elector interested in a ballot question who is involved in the recount and who disagrees with the resolution of the challenge may petition the state board of canvassers for a de novo review of the challenge. The candidate or elector shall file a petition disagreeing with the resolution of a challenge not later than 5 business days after the board of state canvassers mails notice that the recount has been completed to the candidates or electors. Upon receipt of a petition disagreeing with the resolution of a challenge under this section, the board of state canvassers shall notify all candidates and electors involved in the recount of the date of the hearing of the board of state canvassers to consider the petition. The board of state canvassers shall allow the candidates and electors involved in the recount to present oral or written, or both, arguments on the challenge at the hearing. The board of state canvassers shall rule on the challenge at that meeting.


History: Add. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.872 Board of canvassers; investigation, report to prosecutor and circuit judge.

Sec. 872.

   Whenever a petition has been filed for a recount by any person conceiving himself aggrieved on account of any fraud, wrongdoing or violation of the law perpetrated or committed by any election inspector or inspectors or any other person in respect to said election for which said recount has been petitioned, in any primary or election, and it shall appear to the board of canvassers having jurisdiction over said recount that there is probably cause to believe that there has been fraud, wrongdoing or a violation of the law in respect to said election for which said recount has been petitioned, the said canvassers shall make full and complete investigation of the same. Said canvassers shall have full power and authority to subpoena witnesses and to open any ballot box, regardless of the condition in which the same may be found, and may break open, if sealed, the seal thereon and examine the ballots contained therein. If, after the investigation, said board has good reason to believe that any fraud, wrongdoing or a violation of the law has been committed in respect to said election, then said board of canvassers shall forthwith make a written report of their findings to the prosecuting attorney and to the circuit judge or judges of the county where the petitioner resides if it be a county, city, township or village election, and to the attorney general and to the circuit judge of the county of Ingham if it be a district or state election. Said reports shall be signed by each of the canvassers having jurisdiction of said recount, or a majority thereof. Pending the making of such report, the board of canvassers having jurisdiction of such recount shall carefully preserve and safeguard the ballot boxes and the ballots contained therein until an order of the court, to which said report was submitted, is made authorizing the disposition of the same. Any action taken in such investigation shall not preclude any official recount of the ballots cast at any such election, if otherwise allowed by the general election laws. The powers of investigation referred to in this section shall terminate with the completion of the recount.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 82, Imd. Eff. June 24, 1965
Popular Name: Election Code





168.873 Recount; misconduct of employees, felony.

Sec. 873.

   Any officer, assistant, clerk or employee engaged in the conduct of a recount who shall wilfully commit any act which shall interfere with a fair and impartial recount of the votes cast for a contested office, amendment or proposition shall be deemed guilty of a felony and subject to the penalties thereof.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.874 Recount; return of ballots; manner of counting votes.

Sec. 874.

  (1) Pursuant to this chapter, the board of canvassers conducting the recount shall reject all previous returns from the precincts, townships, or wards, except the returns from a precinct that cannot be recounted as to that candidate or ballot question pursuant to section 871. In a public place where the candidates or persons interested in the ballot question and their counsel may be present, if they so desire, the board of canvassers shall proceed in the manner prescribed in section 871. If applicable, the board of canvassers shall open the ballot boxes from the precincts, townships, or wards, and the rolls or packages of ballots in the ballot boxes, and to make a recount of the ballots as to the candidates or ballot question. Upon completion of the recount, the board of canvassers shall make a full, complete, and correct return in writing, showing the full number of votes given to each candidate, or the total number of votes cast for and against any ballot question, written out in words and figures.
  (2) The board of canvassers shall conduct the recount so that the complete procedure may be observed and noted by the candidates or persons interested in the ballot question, their counsel, and not to exceed 1 watcher and 1 tallier at each table to check the work of the recount clerks. The secretary of state shall develop instructions consistent with this act for conducting a recount pursuant to this subsection. All votes cast, whether for candidates or ballot questions, shall be recounted in the following manner:
  (a) The ballots from any given precinct shall first be counted and the total compared with the number of ballots issued on election day as shown on the poll list. If the first count of the number of ballots and the number of ballots issued on election day as shown on the poll list do not match, the ballots from that precinct shall be counted a second time and the total compared with the number of ballots issued on election day as shown on the poll list. If the second count of the number of ballots and the number of ballots issued on election day as shown on the poll list do not match, those ballots shall not be recounted as provided in section 871. If the second count of the number of ballots and the number of ballots issued on election day as shown on the poll list match, the ballots from that precinct shall be counted a third time and the total compared with the number of ballots issued on election day as shown on the poll list. If the third count of the number of ballots and the number of ballots issued on election day as shown on the poll list do not match, those ballots shall not be recounted as provided in section 871.
  (b) If the first count described in subdivision (a) or the second and third counts described in subdivision (a) match the number of ballots issued on election day, the ballots shall be placed face up on the table and 1 recount clerk shall call the votes for each candidate or ballot question involved in the recount.
  (c) Two tally clerks shall simultaneously record the called votes on forms provided for that purpose.
  (3) The candidates or persons interested in the ballot question, their counsel, watchers, and talliers shall be allowed to observe each ballot as it is called and to take notes as they desire for their own records. The board of canvassers shall identify by an exhibit number a ballot counted or rejected under protest, keep a record of the protest, and proceed as required under section 871a.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.875 Recount; completion.

Sec. 875.

   All recounts shall be completed for a primary election not later than the twentieth day and for any other election not later than the thirtieth day immediately following the last day for filing counter petitions or the first day that recounts may lawfully begin. As soon as the recount is completed, the board shall return any ballots to their respective containers and seal the containers. The board shall then return the ballots, voting devices, machines, any related keys, and seals to the officer or officers having the care and custody of those items.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 82, Imd. Eff. June 24, 1965 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.876 Recount; returns by board of canvassers, withdrawal of petition; final report open to public inspection.

Sec. 876.

   The returns made by the said board of canvassers upon recount shall be deemed to be correct, anything in the previous returns from such city, township, ward or precinct to the contrary Notwithstanding: Provided, however, That if the person petitioning for such recount shall withdraw his petition or discontinue the recount before the completion thereof, then in such event the original return shall be deemed to be correct regardless of any change shown by the recount at the time of the withdrawal of the petition or the discontinuance of such recount: Provided further, That the final report on the results of any recount shall be open to public inspection immediately following its certification by the board of canvassers.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.877 Review of apparent error by certiorari.

Sec. 877.

   Any candidate for a county, city, ward, township or village office not receiving a certificate of election, or any qualified and registered elector voting at the last preceding election when any amendment or proposition has been voted on, may, for error apparent upon the face of the returns, have the same examined and corrected upon certiorari to the circuit court of the county, according to the rules and practices applicable to such writs.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code



STATE CANVASSERS


168.878 Construction of sections; action against board of state canvassers by mandamus.

Sec. 878.

   Nothing in the following sections of this chapter contained shall be construed to repeal any action or remedy which may now exist by reference of any controversy to the courts, except that any proceeding intended to restrain, enjoin, modify, control or otherwise interfere with the action of the board of state canvassers, the board of county canvassers or any other representative of the board of state canvassers operating under the provisions of the following sections of this chapter, shall be instituted only against the board of state canvassers and by no other action than mandamus.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.879 Petition for recount; requirements; good-faith belief in winning; petition by state political party chairperson; recount and preservation of ballots; report; authority of legislature.

Sec. 879.

  (1) A candidate voted for at a primary or election for an office may petition for a recount of the votes if all of the following requirements are met:
  (a) The office is an office for which the votes are canvassed by the board of state canvassers under section 841 or is the office of Representative in Congress, state representative, or state senator for a district located wholly within 1 county.
  (b) The petition alleges that the candidate is aggrieved on account of fraud or mistake in the canvass of the votes by the inspectors of election or the returns made by the inspectors of election, or by a board of county canvassers or the board of state canvassers. The candidate must be able to allege a good-faith belief that but for fraud or mistake, the candidate would have had a reasonable chance of winning the election. The petition must contain specific allegations of wrongdoing only if evidence of that wrongdoing is available to the petitioner. If evidence of wrongdoing is not available, the petitioner is only required to allege fraud or a mistake in the petition without further specification.
  (c) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, the petition for a recount is filed not later than 48 hours following the completion of the canvass of votes cast at an election. If the recount petition relates to a state senatorial or representative district located wholly within 1 county or to the district of a Representative in Congress located wholly within 1 county, the petition for a recount must be filed not later than 48 hours following the adjournment of the meeting of the board of state canvassers at which the certificate of determination for that office was recorded under section 841. However, for a special election for Representative in Congress, state senator, or state representative for a district located wholly within 1 county, the petition for recount must be filed not later than 48 hours after the certificate of determination is filed with the secretary of the board of state canvassers.
  (d) The petition is presented to and filed with the secretary of state.
  (e) The petition is written or printed and is signed and sworn to by the candidate.
  (f) The petition sets forth as nearly as possible the nature and character of the fraud or mistakes alleged and the counties, cities, or townships and the precincts in which they exist.
  (g) The petition specifies the counties, cities, townships, and precincts in which the recount is requested.
  (h) If the office is the office of state representative, a copy of the petition is filed with the clerk of the house of representatives. If the office is the office of state senator, a copy of the petition is filed with the secretary of the senate.
  (2) If a state senatorial race is determined by a vote differential of 500 votes or less or a state representative race is determined by a vote differential of 200 votes or less, the chairperson of a state political party may petition for a recount of the votes on behalf of a candidate in that race in the manner prescribed in subsection (1). Notwithstanding subsection (1)(b) and (f), the petition filed under this subsection need not allege fraud or mistake. Notwithstanding subsection (1)(e), the petition must be signed by the chairperson of the state political party filing the petition under this subsection.
  (3) The ballots in a precinct petitioned for recount in a legislative contest must be recounted for that office by the board of state canvassers and must be preserved until the contest is disposed of under the rules of the legislative body that takes office beginning in January following the contested general election. In legislative recounts of a special general election, ballots in a precinct petitioned for recount must be preserved until the contest is disposed of under the rules of the legislative body serving at the time the report in subsection (4) is filed.
  (4) Upon the completion of a recount for a legislative office, the board of state canvassers, in addition to the certification required by section 892, shall forward to the appropriate legislative body a report of the results of the recount.
  (5) This section does not limit the authority of the legislature under section 16 of article IV of the state constitution of 1963.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 157, Imd. Eff. Dec. 6, 1973 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 61, Imd. Eff. Apr. 1, 1980 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1999 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 128, Eff. Aug. 1, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.879a Section 168.879 inapplicable to presidential primary election.

Sec. 879a.

   Section 879 does not apply to a presidential primary election.


History: Add. 1988, Act 275, Eff. Sept. 1, 1988
Popular Name: Election Code





168.880 Recount of votes; petition by elector on constitutional amendment or question, deadline, contents.

Sec. 880.

   Any elector in this state who believes that there has been fraud or error committed by the inspectors of election in the return made by said inspectors or of any county canvassing board in the canvass of votes cast upon the question of a proposed amendment to the constitution or any other question or proposition, the votes for which are canvassed by the board of state canvassers, may, not later than 2 days after final certification and determination by the board of state canvassers of the canvass of votes cast at an election, present to and file with the secretary of state a written or printed petition which shall be sworn to by the elector presenting the same and which shall set forth as nearly as may be the nature and character of the fraud or error of which the complaint is made and the counties, cities or townships or the precincts thereof in which it is believed that the fraud or error occurred, and such petition shall contain a prayer that a correction thereof be made by a recount of the votes cast therein.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.880a Recount of votes; grounds; notice to candidates; elections involving propositions procedures.

Sec. 880a.

  (1) A recount of all precincts in the state shall be conducted at any time a statewide primary or election shall be certified by the board of state canvassers as having been determined by a vote differential of 2,000 votes or less. This section shall not apply to partisan offices to which more than 1 person is to be elected.
  (2) If the election is an election involving candidates, the board of state canvassers forthwith shall notify all candidates whose vote could be affected by the recount that a recount shall be conducted and of the time and place the board of state canvassers will meet to determine recount procedures.
  (3) If the election involves a proposition, the board of state canvassers shall meet on the seventh day following certification at the office of the secretary of state for the purpose of determining procedures. Persons or groups interested in being authorized to have challengers and observers at the recount shall petition the board at that meeting to be considered interested parties for such purpose. The board at that meeting shall determine which persons or groups shall be considered interested parties for the recount of the proposition.


History: Add. 1969, Act 268, Eff. Mar. 20, 1970
Popular Name: Election Code





168.881 Recount petition; filing; deposit; refund; disposition of sum deposited.

Sec. 881.

  (1) A person filing a recount petition under section 879 or 880 shall file the petition with the state bureau of elections. Except as otherwise provided in this section, at the time of filing the petition, the petitioner shall deposit the sum of $25.00 for each precinct in which a recount of the votes is demanded in cash or by check or other negotiable instrument made payable to the state of Michigan.
  (2) If 1 candidate is to be elected to the office and the official canvass of votes shows that the number of votes separating the winning candidate and the petitioner is more than 75 votes or 5.0% of the total number of votes cast in the race, whichever is greater, the petitioner shall deposit with the state bureau of elections the sum of $250.00 for each precinct referred to in his or her petition. For purposes of this subsection, the winning candidate in a primary for a nonpartisan office where only 1 candidate will be elected means the candidate nominated with the lesser number of votes.
  (3) Subject to subsection (2), if 1 candidate is to be elected to the office 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 in the race, whichever is greater, the petitioner shall deposit with the state bureau of elections the sum of $125.00 for each precinct referred to in his or her petition. For purposes of this subsection, the winning candidate in a primary for a nonpartisan office where only 1 candidate will be elected means the candidate nominated with the lesser number of votes.
  (4) If more than 1 candidate is to be elected to the office and the official canvass of votes shows that the number of votes separating the winning candidate who received the least number of votes and the petitioner is more than 75 votes or 5.0% of the sum of the number of votes received by the 2 candidates, whichever is greater, the petitioner shall deposit with the state bureau of elections the sum of $250.00 for each precinct referred to in his or her petition.
  (5) Subject to subsection (4), if more than 1 candidate is to be elected to the office and the official canvass of votes 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 2 candidates, whichever is greater, the petitioner shall deposit with the state bureau of elections the sum of $125.00 for each precinct referred to in his or her petition.
  (6) If the vote is on a proposal and the official canvass of votes shows that the number of votes separating the "yes" votes and the "no" votes is more than 50 votes or 0.5% of the total number of votes cast on the proposal, whichever is greater, the petitioner shall deposit with the state bureau of elections the sum of $125.00 for each precinct referred to in his or her petition.
  (7) If, by reason of the recount, the petitioner establishes fraud or mistake as set forth in his or her petition and receives a certificate of election or establishes sufficient fraud or mistake to change the result upon an amendment or proposition, the votes for and against which were recounted, the state bureau of elections shall refund the money deposited to the petitioner. The secretary of state shall refund the money deposited to a petitioner who is a chairperson of a state political party if the results of the race for which a recount was petitioned for under section 879 are changed. If a refund is not made as required by this section, then the secretary of state shall pay to the treasurer of each county its proportionate share of the deposit based upon the number of precincts in the county in which the votes were recounted.
  (8) If a precinct referred to in the petition is determined "not recountable" as provided in section 871(3) or, subject to subsection (9), if a precinct referred to in the petition is not recounted due to the withdrawal of the petition, the money deposited for the recount of that precinct must be refunded to the petitioner.
  (9) If the votes cast on the ballots voted in a precinct have been examined and recounted, the withdrawal of the petition must not result in a refund of the money deposited for the recount of that precinct.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 200, Imd. Eff. July 18, 1980 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 406, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2014 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 130, Eff. Aug. 1, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.882 Notice of recount petition; filing counter petition; refund of deposit money; filing objections to recount petition; notice; meeting; ruling.

Sec. 882.

  (1) If a candidate has filed a recount petition and paid the deposit under sections 879 and 881, the secretary of state shall give notice of the recount petition to each opposing candidate within 48 hours after the filing of the petition by delivering to each candidate a copy of the recount petition, or, if the candidate cannot be found, by leaving a copy at the candidate's last known place of residence with a member of the candidate's immediate family of suitable age. If a member of the candidate's family cannot be found, the secretary of state may give notice by posting the recount petition in a conspicuous place at the candidate's last known place of residence.
  (2) A candidate may file a counter petition in the same manner as the original petition under section 881 not later than 48 hours after the original recount petition is filed with the secretary of state. At the time of filing the counter petition, the counter petitioner shall deposit the sum of money as required in section 881 for the original petitioner. The secretary of state shall refund to the counter petitioner the money deposited by the counter petitioner if the original petitioner does not establish fraud or receive a certificate of election.
  (3) Not later than 48 hours after an original recount petition is filed under section 881, an opposing candidate may file objections to the recount petition with the board of state canvassers. The opposing candidate shall set forth the objections to the recount petition in writing. Upon receipt of an objection under this subsection, the board of state canvassers shall notify the petitioner and the objecting candidate of the date of the meeting of the board of state canvassers to consider the objections. The board of state canvassers shall allow the recount petitioner and the objecting candidate to present oral or written, or both, arguments on the objections raised to the recount petition at the meeting. The board of state canvassers shall rule on the objections no later than 4 calendar days after the deadline for filing objections.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1955, Act 271, Imd. Eff. June 30, 1955 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 188, Imd. Eff. Aug. 5, 1969 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 61, Imd. Eff. Apr. 1, 1980 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 269, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.883 Recount petition; notice to county clerk; preservation of ballots; investigation and recount by state canvassers.

Sec. 883.

   The secretary of state, upon receipt of any such petition for recount, shall immediately notify the county clerk of each county in which are located any precincts included in such petition for recount that a petition for such recount by the board of state canvassers has been filed and the ballots for such precincts shall be carefully preserved. Ballots and boxes shall remain in the possession of city or township clerks until requisitioned by the canvass board. The board of state canvassers, at as early a date as possible after the receipt of such petition and the deposit required, shall investigate the facts set forth in said petition and cause a recount of the votes cast in the several precincts included in the petition.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.884 Boards of county canvassers; clerks and assistants for conduct of recount.

Sec. 884.

   The boards of county canvassers shall employ such assistants and clerks as shall be deemed necessary for the conduct of any such recount.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.885 Boards of state and county canvassers; right to subpoena witnesses; noncompliance, penalty.

Sec. 885.

   The board of state canvassers or any member or representative thereof and the county boards of canvassers shall each have the right to subpoena any inspector of election, county officer or other person to appear before it or him for any purpose as may be desired in connection with the matter of such recount. Whoever being so subpoenaed shall fail to obey same shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.886 Witnesses; compensation and mileage.

Sec. 886.

   The persons who are subpoenaed to appear as herein required shall receive the same compensation and mileage therefor as is prescribed by law for witnesses in the circuit courts of this state.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.887 Recount of votes; misconduct of employees, felony.

Sec. 887.

   Any officer, assistant, clerk or employee engaged in the conduct of a recount who shall wilfully commit any act which shall interfere with a fair and impartial recount of the votes cast for a contested office, amendment or proposition shall be deemed guilty of a felony and subject to penalties thereof.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.888 Board of state canvassers; return of ballot boxes, poll books, tally sheets, and statements of votes; concurrent recount.

Sec. 888.

   The board of state canvassers shall have the right and authority to demand and cause the ballot boxes, poll books, tally sheets, the statement of votes returned in connection with any such election, and such other documents and reports as may be deemed necessary, to be brought before the several boards of county canvassers, and shall order that a concurrent recount of the votes upon any office or proposition petitioned for under the provisions of sections 861 et seq. hereof, where such votes appear upon the same ballots as those which are to be recounted by the board of state canvassers, be conducted, which concurrent recount shall be under the exclusive jurisdiction and control of the said board of state canvassers. All ballots, poll lists, tally sheets, returns and reports shall be safely guarded and when no longer required shall be delivered to the officials charged with the custody thereof.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.889 Board of state canvassers; time and place, rules and regulations for recounts in counties.

Sec. 889.

   All recounts provided for in sections 878 et seq. of this act shall be conducted in the several counties wherein the votes to be counted were cast by the respective boards of county canvassers in each of the several counties, subject to the direction, supervision and control of the said board of state canvassers. The said board of state canvassers shall prescribe the time and the place in each county where the recount of any votes shall be conducted, which recount shall be in public. Said board shall provide each board of county canvassers with such rules and regulations as in the opinion of the said board of state canvassers shall be necessary to conduct such recount in a fair, impartial and uniform manner in the said several counties. Observance of such rules and regulations shall be enforced by said board or its representatives hereinafter provided for.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code
Admin Rule: R 168.901 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.





168.890 Board of state canvassers; authority of members as to supervision of recounts in counties.

Sec. 890.

   It is not necessary for all of the members of the board of state canvassers to be present in order to direct, supervise, or control the recount in a county. A member of the board of state canvassers or state officer, state employee or member of the board of county canvassers may direct, supervise, and control the recount if designated by the board of state canvassers, so that fairness, impartiality, and uniformity in the conduct of the recount may be obtained and the result of the election determined at the earliest possible moment. A member of the board of state canvassers or other representative designated by the board of state canvassers under this subsection has the same authority as the board of state canvassers to enforce and carry out the rules and regulations provided for the recount by the board.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code
Admin Rule: R 168.901 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.





168.891 Recounts; manner of conduct under board of state canvassers.

Sec. 891.

   Any recount conducted under the direction, supervision and control of the state board of canvassers, unless otherwise herein provided, shall be conducted in the same manner as is provided in sections 861 et seq. for the conduct of recounts by county boards of canvassers, so far as the provisions thereof are applicable.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.892 Board of state canvassers; recounts in counties, certification of results.

Sec. 892.

   Whenever a recount in any county shall be completed, it shall be the duty of the county boards of canvassers to return forthwith the results of such recount to the board of state canvassers, which board shall compile said returns and certify the result. The returns made by the said boards of county canvassers of any recount shall be deemed to be correct, anything in the previous return of any board of election inspectors or any county canvassing board to the contrary notwithstanding. The final report on the results of any recount shall be open to public inspection immediately following its certification by the board of canvassers.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.893 Discontinuance of recount; original return deemed correct.

Sec. 893.

   If the person petitioning for such recount shall withdraw his petition or discontinue the recount before the completion thereof, then in such event the original return shall be deemed to be correct regardless of any change shown by the recount at the time of the withdrawal of the petition or the discontinuance of such recount.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.894 Recounts in counties; expenses, payment.

Sec. 894.

   All expenses incurred in the conduct of the recount of such votes in any county shall be paid by the county. All expenses in connection with the direction, supervision and control of such recount by the board of state canvassers shall be paid from the general fund of the state on vouchers to be approved and audited by the state board of canvassers.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXXIV
CAMPAIGN EXPENSES


168.901-168.929 Repealed. 1974, Act 272, Eff. Apr. 1, 1975;—1975, Act 121, Eff. Sept. 1, 1975;—1975, Act 227, Eff. Mar. 31, 1976;—1976, Act 388, Eff. June 1, 1977.


Compiler's Notes: Section 191 of Act No. 227 of the Public Acts of 1975 repealed MCL 4.401 to 4.410, 168.901 to 168.929, 15.321 to 15.330, 15.301 to 15.310, and 15.341 to 15.348. The Michigan Supreme Court, however, in Advisory Opinion on Constitutionality of 1975 PA 227, 396 Mich. 123, 240 N.W. 2d 193 (1976), held Act No. 227 of the Public Acts of 1975 unconstitutional for being in violation of Mich. Const., Art. 4, § 24.Former MCL 168.928a repealed enacting sections 2 and 3 of Act 272 of 1974 and enacting sections 2 and 3 of Act 18 of 1975.
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXXV
OFFENSES AND PENALTIES


168.931 Prohibited conduct; violation as misdemeanor; "valuable consideration" defined.

Sec. 931.

  (1) An individual who violates 1 or more of the following subdivisions is guilty of a misdemeanor:
  (a) An individual shall not, either directly or indirectly, give, lend, or promise valuable consideration to or for any individual as an inducement to influence the manner of voting by an individual relative to a candidate or ballot question or as a reward for refraining from voting.
  (b) An individual shall not, either before, on, or after an election, for the individual's own benefit or on behalf of any other individual, receive, agree, or contract for valuable consideration for 1 or more of the following:
  (i) Voting or agreeing to vote, or inducing or attempting to induce another to vote, at an election.
  (ii) Refraining or agreeing to refrain, or inducing or attempting to induce another to refrain, from voting at an election.
  (iii) Doing anything prohibited by this act.
  (iv) Both distributing absent voter ballot applications to voters and receiving signed applications from voters for delivery to the appropriate clerk or assistant of the clerk. This subparagraph does not apply to an authorized election official.
  (c) An individual shall not solicit any valuable consideration from a candidate for nomination for, or election to, an office described in this act. This subdivision does not apply to requests for contributions of money by or to an authorized representative of the political party committee of the organization to which the candidate belongs. This subdivision does not apply to a regular business transaction between a candidate and any other person that is not intended for, or connected with, the securing of votes or the influencing of voters in connection with the nomination or election.
  (d) An individual shall not, either directly or indirectly, discharge or threaten to discharge an employee of the individual for the purpose of influencing the employee's vote at an election.
  (e) A priest, pastor, curate, or other officer of a religious society shall not for the purpose of influencing a voter at an election, impose or threaten to impose upon the voter a penalty of excommunication, dismissal, or expulsion or command or advise the voter under pain of religious disapproval.
  (f) In a city, township, village, or school district that has a board of election commissioners authorized to appoint inspectors of election, an inspector of election, a clerk, or other election official who accepts an appointment as an inspector of election shall not fail to report at the polling place designated on election morning at the time specified by the board of election commissioners, unless excused as provided in this subdivision. An individual who violates this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $10.00 or imprisonment for not more than 10 days, or both. An inspector of election, clerk, or other election official who accepts an appointment as an inspector of election is excused for failing to report at the polling place on election day and is not subject to a fine or imprisonment under this subdivision if 1 or more of the following requirements are met:
  (i) The inspector of election, clerk, or other election official notifies the board of election commissioners or other officers in charge of elections of the inability to serve at the time and place specified, 3 days or more before the election.
  (ii) The inspector of election, clerk, or other election official is excused from duty by the board of election commissioners or other officers in charge of elections for cause shown.
  (g) An individual shall not willfully fail to perform a duty imposed upon that individual by this act or disobey a lawful instruction or order of the secretary of state as chief state election officer or of a board of county election commissioners, board of city election commissioners, or board of inspectors of election.
  (h) A delegate or member of a convention shall not solicit a candidate for nomination before the convention for money, reward, position, place, preferment, or other valuable consideration in return for support by the delegate or member in the convention. A candidate or other individual shall not promise or give to a delegate money, reward, position, place, preferment, or other valuable consideration in return for support by or vote of the delegate in the convention.
  (i) An individual elected to the office of delegate to a convention shall not accept or receive any money or other valuable consideration for the individual's vote as a delegate.
  (j) An individual shall not, while the polls are open on an election day, solicit votes in a polling place or within 100 feet from an entrance to the building in which a polling place is located.
  (k) An individual shall not keep a room or building for the purpose, in whole or in part, of recording or registering bets or wagers, or of selling pools upon the result of a political nomination, appointment, or election. An individual shall not wager property, money, or thing of value, or be the custodian of money, property, or thing of value staked, wagered, or pledged upon the result of a political nomination, appointment, or election.
  (l) An individual shall not participate in a meeting or a portion of a meeting of more than 2 individuals, other than the individual's immediate family, at which an absent voter ballot is voted.
  (m) An individual, other than an authorized election official, shall not, either directly or indirectly, give, lend, or promise any valuable consideration to or for an individual to induce that individual to both distribute absent voter ballot applications to voters and receive signed absent voter ballot applications from voters for delivery to the appropriate clerk.
  (2) An individual who violates a provision of this act for which a penalty is not otherwise specifically provided in this act is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (3) An individual or an individual's agent who knowingly makes, publishes, disseminates, circulates, or places before the public, or knowingly causes directly or indirectly to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, or placed before the public, in this state, either orally or in writing, an assertion, representation, or statement of fact concerning a candidate for public office at an election in this state, that is false, deceptive, scurrilous, or malicious, without the true name of the author being subscribed to the assertion, representation, or statement if written, or announced if unwritten, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (4) As used in this section, "valuable consideration" includes, but is not limited to, money, property, a gift, a prize or chance for a prize, a fee, a loan, an office, a position, an appointment, or employment.
  


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 201, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1982 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 113, Imd. Eff. May 29, 1984 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 185, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Compiler's Notes: Act 269 of 2001, which was approved by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 2002, provided for the amendment of MCL 168.31, 168.73, 168.283, 168.393, 168.509y, 168.509aa, 168.561a, 168.624, 168.624a, 168.686, 168.706, 168.727, 168.737, 168.745, 168.769, 168.782b, 168.795, 168.795c, 168.797a, 168.798c, 168.799a, 168.803, 168.804, 168.842, and 168.931 of, the addition of Sec. 701 to, and the repeal of Sec. 509 of, Act 116 of 1954, known as the Michigan Election Law. A petition seeking a referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was filed with the Secretary of State. The Board of State Canvassers officially declared the sufficiency of the referendum petition on May 14, 2002. Const 1963, art 2, sec 9, provides that no law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election. A referendum on Act 269 of 2001 was presented to the electors at the November 5, 2002, general election as Proposal 02-1, which read as follows:“A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 269 OF 2001—AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF MICHIGAN ELECTION LAWPublic Act 269 of 2001 would:—Eliminate “straight party” vote option on partisan general election ballots.—Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials.—Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot.—Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000.—Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors.—Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.Should this law be approved?Yes __________No __________”Act 269 of 2001 was not approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the November 5, 2002, general election.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.931a Appearance of name of elected or appointed official on ballot-related material; prohibition; violation as misdemeanor; penalty.

Sec. 931a.

  (1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, and except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), the name of an elected or appointed official of this state or a political subdivision of this state shall not appear on any ballot-related material that is provided to an elector. As used in this section, "ballot-related material" includes any of the following:
  (a) Any material provided to an elector with an absent voter ballot.
  (b) Absent voter ballot instructions.
  (c) An envelope used to mail to an elector an absent voter ballot or any other ballot material.
  (d) An absent voter ballot return envelope.
  (2) Any ballot-related material printed or prepared before the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section that contains the name of an elected or appointed official of this state or a political subdivision of this state may be used if the elected or appointed official whose name appears on the ballot-related materials is not a candidate at the election in which those ballot-related materials are being used.
  (3) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $100.00 for a first offense and is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $250.00 for a second or subsequent offense.


History: Add. 2012, Act 280, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.931b Prohibition on intimidation of or interference with election workers; violation; penalties; application to constitutionally protected activities; definitions.

Sec. 931b.

  (1) An individual who intimidates an election official because of the election official's status as an election official, with the specific intent of interfering with the performance of that election official's election-related duties, is guilty of a crime as provided under subsection (3).
  (2) An individual who prevents an election official from performing the election official's duties in conducting an election is guilty of a crime as provided under subsection (3).
  (3) An individual who violates subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of a crime as follows:
  (a) For a first offense, the individual is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.
  (b) For a second offense, the individual is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.
  (c) For a third or subsequent offense, the individual is guilty of a felony.
  (4) This section does not apply to constitutionally protected activity, including, but not limited to, engaging in reporting, news gathering, protesting, lobbying, advocacy, or other activities intended to inform or influence the public or public officials, including election officials, on matters of public interest or public concern.
  (5) As used in this section:
  (a) "Duties" include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
  (i) Creating, disseminating, collecting, or delivering applications or ballots, including absent voter ballots or absent voter ballot applications.
  (ii) Registering voters.
  (iii) Opening, closing, and maintaining order at polling places, early voting sites, and absent voter counting board locations.
  (iv) Processing and assisting voters at polling places or early voting sites.
  (v) Processing and tabulating ballots at polling places, early voting sites, and absent voter counting board locations.
  (vi) Tallying ballots at polling places and absent voter counting board locations.
  (vii) Certifying election results by a board of county canvassers or the board of state canvassers.
  (b) "Election official" means a public officer, public employee, election inspector, member of the board of state canvassers, member of a board of county canvassers, member of an absent voter counting board, or a county, city, or township clerk who has a duty to perform in connection with an election conducted under this act.
  (c) "Intimidate" means a willful course of conduct involving harassment of another individual that is intended to cause the individual to fear physical injury, that would cause a reasonable individual to fear physical injury, and that actually causes the individual to fear physical injury. Intimidate does not include constitutionally protected activity or conduct that serves a legitimate purpose.
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 253, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.932 Prohibited conduct; violation as felony.

Sec. 932.

   A person who violates 1 or more of the following subdivisions is guilty of a felony:
  (a) A person shall not attempt, by means of bribery, menace, or other corrupt means or device, either directly or indirectly, to influence an elector in giving his or her vote, or to deter the elector from, or interrupt the elector in giving his or her vote at any election held in this state.
  (b) A person not duly authorized by law shall not, during the progress of any election or after the closing of the polls and before the final results of the election have been ascertained, break open or violate the seals or locks of any ballot box or voting machine used or in use at that election. A person shall not willfully damage or destroy any ballot box or voting machine. A person shall not obtain undue possession of that ballot box or voting machine. A person shall not conceal, withhold, or destroy a ballot box or voting machine, or fraudulently or forcibly add to or diminish the number of ballots legally deposited in the box or the totals on the voting machine. A person shall not aid or abet in any act prohibited by this subdivision.
  (c) An inspector of election, clerk, or other officer or person having custody of any record, election list of voters, affidavit, return, statement of votes, certificates, poll book, or of any paper, document, or vote of any description, which pursuant to this act is directed to be made, filed, or preserved, shall not willfully destroy, mutilate, deface, falsify, or fraudulently remove or secrete any or all of those items, in whole or in part, or fraudulently make any entry, erasure, or alteration on any or all of those items, or permit any other person to do so.
  (d) A person shall neither disclose to any other person the name of any candidate voted for by any elector, the contents of whose ballots were seen by the person, nor in any manner obstruct or attempt to obstruct any elector in the exercise of his or her duties as an elector under this act.
  (e) A person who is not involved in the counting of ballots as provided by law and who has possession of an absent voter ballot mailed or delivered to another person shall not do any of the following:
  (i) Open the envelope containing the ballot.
  (ii) Make any marking on the ballot.
  (iii) Alter the ballot in any way.
  (iv) Substitute another ballot for the absent voter ballot that the person possesses.
  (f) A person other than an absent voter; a person whose job it is to handle mail before, during, or after being transported by a public postal service, express mail service, parcel post service, or common carrier, but only during the normal course of his or her employment; a clerk or assistant of the clerk; a member of the immediate family of the absent voter including father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, or grandchild; or a person residing in the absent voter's household shall not do any of the following:
  (i) Possess an absent voter ballot mailed or delivered to another person, regardless of whether the ballot has been voted.
  (ii) Return, solicit to return, or agree to return an absent voter ballot to the clerk of a city, township, village, or school district.
  (g) A person who assists an absent voter who is disabled or otherwise unable to mark the ballot shall only render his or her assistance by showing the absent voter how to vote the ballot as the absent voter desires or by marking the ballot as directed by the absent voter. A person who assists an absent voter who is disabled or otherwise unable to mark the ballot shall not suggest or in any manner attempt to influence the absent voter on how he or she should vote or allow any other person to do so.
  (h) A person present while an absent voter is voting an absent voter ballot shall not suggest or in any manner attempt to influence the absent voter on how he or she should vote.
  (i) A person shall not plan or organize a meeting at which absent voter ballots are to be voted.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 220, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 201, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1982 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996
Popular Name: Election Code





168.932a Violations as felony; penalty.

Sec. 932a.

   A person who does any of the following is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both:
  (a) A person shall not, at an election, falsely impersonate another person, or vote or attempt to vote under the name of another person, or induce or attempt to induce a person to impersonate another person or to vote or attempt to vote under the name of another person.
  (b) A person shall not assume a false or fictitious name to vote or to offer to vote by that name, enter or cause to be entered upon the registration book in a voting precinct a false or fictitious name, or induce or attempt to induce another person to assume a false or fictitious name in order to vote, by that name, vote, or offer to or enter or cause to be entered upon the registration book of a voting precinct, a false or fictitious name.
  (c) A person who is not a qualified and registered elector shall not willfully offer to vote or attempt to vote at an election held in this state. A person shall not aid or counsel a person who is not a qualified and registered elector to vote or offer to vote at the place where the vote is given during an election.
  (d) A qualified and registered elector shall not offer to vote or attempt to vote in a voting precinct in which the elector does not reside, except as otherwise provided in this act. A person shall not procure, aid, or counsel another person to go or come into a township, ward, or voting precinct for the purpose of voting at an election, knowing that the person is not qualified or registered to vote in that township, ward, or voting precinct.
  (e) A person shall not offer to vote or attempt to vote more than once at the same election either in the same or in another voting precinct. A person shall not give 2 or more votes folded together.


History: Add. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997
Popular Name: Election Code





168.932c Registering individuals; compensation prohibited; violation as felony; penalty.

Sec. 932c.

  (1) A person shall not provide compensation to another person for registering individuals to vote that is based upon any of the following:
  (a) The total number of individuals a person registers to vote.
  (b) The total number of individuals a person registers to vote in a particular political party.
  (2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.


History: Add. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.932e Misrepresentation as election official; violation as felony.

Sec. 932e.

  (1) A person shall not intentionally misrepresent by word or act in a polling place on election day that he or she is an election official if that person is not an election official.
  (2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony.


History: Add. 2012, Act 276, Eff. Aug. 16, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.932f Distribution of materially deceptive media; prohibition; violation; misdemeanor; penalties; injunctive relief; definitions.

Sec. 932f.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), a person shall not distribute, or enter into an agreement with another person to distribute, materially deceptive media if all of the following apply:
  (a) The person knows the media falsely represents a depicted individual.
  (b) The distribution occurs within 90 days before an election.
  (c) The person intends the distribution to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate in an election, and the distribution is reasonably likely to cause that result.
  (d) The person intends the distribution to change the voting behavior of electors in an election by deceiving the electors into incorrectly believing that the depicted individual in fact engaged in the speech or conduct depicted, and the distribution is reasonably likely to cause that result.
  (2) The prohibition in subsection (1) does not apply if all of the following conditions are met:
  (a) The media includes a disclaimer informing the viewer that the media has been manipulated by technical means and depicts speech or conduct that did not occur. The following disclaimer is sufficient, but not necessary, to satisfy the requirement under this subdivision:
  "This ___________ (image, audio, or video) has been manipulated by technical means and depicts speech or conduct that did not occur.".
  (b) If the media is a video, the disclaimer meets all of the following requirements:
  (i) Appears throughout the entirety of the video.
  (ii) Is clearly visible to and readable by an observer.
  (iii) Is in letters at least as large as the majority of any text communication, or if there is no other text communication, in a size that is easily readable by the average viewer.
  (iv) Is in the same language as the language used in the video media.
  (c) If the media consists only of audio and contains no image or video, the disclaimer is read at the beginning and end of the media in a clearly spoken manner, in a pitch that can be easily heard by the average listener, and in the same language as the audio media.
  (d) If the media is an image, the disclaimer meets all of the following requirements:
  (i) Is clearly visible to and readable by the average viewer.
  (ii) If the media contains other text, is in letters at least as large as the majority of the other text.
  (iii) Is in the same language as the language used in the image media.
  (e) If the media was generated by editing an existing image, audio, or video, the media includes a citation directing the viewer or listener to the original source from which the unedited version of the existing image, audio, or video was obtained.
  (3) A person that violates this section is guilty of a crime as follows:
  (a) For a first violation, a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.
  (b) If a violation occurs within 5 years of a previous conviction for a violation under this section, a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.
  (4) Subject to subsection (9), the attorney general, a depicted individual, a candidate for office who has been injured or is likely to be injured by the distribution of materially deceptive media, or any organization that represents the interests of voters likely to be deceived by the distribution of materially deceptive media, may seek permanent injunctive relief against a person that violates this section in any of the following courts:
  (a) The circuit court for the county in which a party to the alleged violation resides.
  (b) The circuit court for the county in which the materially deceptive media at issue could deceive and influence electors in an upcoming election.
  (5) Upon the filing of a complaint for injunctive relief under subsection (4), the court must review the complaint to determine whether the complaint is frivolous. If the court determines that the complaint for injunctive relief is frivolous, the court shall issue an order suspending the defendant's obligation to respond to the complaint and shall order the plaintiff to show cause why the complaint for injunctive relief should not be dismissed. If the plaintiff fails to respond to the court or the plaintiff's response to the court confirms that the complaint for injunctive relief is frivolous, the court shall dismiss the complaint for injunctive relief. If the plaintiff's response to the court assures the court that the complaint for injunctive relief is not frivolous, the court shall direct the defendant to answer the complaint for injunctive relief.
  (6) If a court finds that a complaint for injunctive relief is frivolous under subsection (5), the court, in addition to dismissing the complaint, may award costs and attorney fees to the defendant and may issue any appropriate sanctions permitted under the Michigan court rules or the court's inherent authority against the plaintiff and the plaintiff's attorney.
  (7) A plaintiff seeking permanent injunctive relief under subsection (4) must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant against whom the injunction is sought knew the media at issue falsely represents the depicted individual.
  (8) If a plaintiff, other than the attorney general, is awarded permanent injunctive relief under this section, the court may award costs and attorney fees to the plaintiff.
  (9) A plaintiff shall not seek preliminary injunctive relief in an action described in subsection (4).
  (10) As used in this section:
  (a) "Depicted individual" means an individual who is falsely represented in a materially deceptive media.
  (b) "Election" includes, but is not limited to, a federal, statewide, legislative, judicial, county, or local election or primary election.
  (c) "Materially deceptive media" means any image, audio, or video that meets all of the following requirements:
  (i) Falsely depicts an individual engaging in speech or conduct in which the depicted individual did not in fact engage.
  (ii) A reasonable viewer or listener would incorrectly believe that the depicted individual engaged in the speech or conduct depicted.
  (iii) Was produced by artificial intelligence as that term is defined in section 2 of the Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.202.
  
  


History: Add. 2023, Act 265, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Popular Name: Election Code





168.933 Perjury; definition.

Sec. 933.

   A person who makes a false affidavit or swears falsely while under oath under section 848 or for the purpose of securing registration, for the purpose of voting at an election, or for the purpose of qualifying as a candidate for elective office under section 558 is guilty of perjury.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1997, Act 137, Imd. Eff. Nov. 17, 1997 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 217, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 119, Imd. Eff. July 29, 2003
Popular Name: Election Code





168.933a Forgery; definition.

Sec. 933a.

  Except as otherwise provided in this act, a person who does either of the following for any purpose under this act is guilty of forgery:
  (a) Knowingly makes, files, or otherwise publishes a false document with the intent to defraud.
  (b) Knowingly makes, files, or otherwise publishes a document that contains false signatures with the intent to defraud.


History: Add. 2018, Act 620, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.934 Misdemeanor; penalty.

Sec. 934.

   Any person who shall be found guilty of a misdemeanor under the provisions of this act shall, unless herein otherwise provided, be punished by a fine of not exceeding $500.00, or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.935 Felony; penalty.

Sec. 935.

   Any person found guilty of a felony under the provisions of this act shall, unless herein otherwise provided, be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000.00, or by imprisonment in the state prison for a term not exceeding 5 years, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.936 Perjury; penalty.

Sec. 936.

   Any person found guilty of perjury under the provisions of this act shall, unless herein otherwise provided, be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000.00, or by imprisonment in the state prison for a term not exceeding 5 years, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.937 Forgery; penalty.

Sec. 937.

   Any person found guilty of forgery under the provisions of this act shall, unless herein otherwise provided, be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000.00, or by imprisonment in the state prison for a term not exceeding 5 years, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.938 Candidate convicted of felony; election void quo warranto.

Sec. 938.

   If any candidate for any public office at any election in this state shall be convicted of a felony, as defined in this act, the election of such candidate, if he has been elected, shall be void; and if he shall enter into the office for which he was elected, an information in the nature of a quo warranto to oust him from such office may be filed in the supreme court or the proper circuit court.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.939 Election inspector; duty to furnish information to prosecuting attorney.

Sec. 939.

   It shall be the duty of every inspector of election, knowing, or having reason to believe, that an offense punishable under the provisions of this act has been committed, to give information thereof to the prosecuting attorney without delay, and such prosecuting attorney shall adopt effective measures for the prosecution of all persons believed to be guilty of such offense.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.940 Prosecuting attorney; duty to prosecute.

Sec. 940.

   It is hereby made the duty of every prosecuting attorney, whenever he shall receive credible information that any such offense has been committed, to cause the same to be prosecuted.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.941 Peace officers; duty to institute proceedings.

Sec. 941.

   It is hereby made the duty of any police, sheriff or other peace officer, present and having knowledge of any violation of any of the provisions of this act, to forthwith institute criminal proceedings for the punishment of such offender.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.942 Prosecution; time limitations; immunity of witnesses.

Sec. 942.

  An offense under this act shall not be prosecuted unless the prosecution is commenced within 3 years after the time the offense is discovered. The complaining witness or any other person who is called to testify in behalf of the people in a proceeding under this section shall not be liable to criminal prosecution under this act for an offense in respect to which he or she is examined or to which his or her testimony relates, except to prosecution for perjury committed in the testimony.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 271, Eff. Aug. 15, 2012
Popular Name: Election Code





168.943 Recorder's court; jurisdiction; circuit courts, jurisdiction.

Sec. 943.

   The recorder's court in the city of Detroit shall have cognizance and jurisdiction of all offenses under this act committed within the limits of said city, and the offender may in all cases be there proceeded against by information, as provided by the charter of said city or any other statute applicable thereto. In all other cases, the circuit court for the proper county shall have cognizance of such offenses committed within the county, and in cases where the punishment is by such fine or such imprisonment, 1 or both, as the justice's court may impose. The proper justice's court shall have cognizance and jurisdiction thereof.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.944 False designation of incumbency; misdemeanor.

Sec. 944.

   Any person who advertises or uses in any campaign material, including radio, television, newspapers, circulars, cards, or stationery, the words incumbent, re-elect, re-election, or otherwise indicates, represents, or gives the impression that a candidate for public office is the incumbent, when in fact the candidate is not the incumbent, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided in section 934.


History: Add. 1959, Act 109, Eff. Mar. 19, 1960 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 155, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 583, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997
Popular Name: Election Code





168.945 Inducing improper applications to vote as absentee voter; misdemeanor.

Sec. 945.

   Any person who induces or attempts to induce another to make an application to vote as an absent voter, knowing that the person is not qualified to so vote is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided in section 934.


History: Add. 1967, Act 113, Eff. Nov. 2, 1967
Popular Name: Election Code





168.947 Repealed. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to possession of master keys for voting machines.
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXXVI
RECALL


168.951 Officers subject to recall; time for filing recall petition; performance of duties until result of recall election certified.

Sec. 951.

  (1) Each elective officer, except a judicial officer, is subject to recall by the voters of the electoral district in which the officer is elected as provided in this chapter. If an officer's term of office is 2 years or less, a recall petition shall not be filed against the officer until the officer has actually performed the duties of the office to which elected for a period of 6 months during the current term of that office and a recall petition shall not be filed against an officer during the last 6 months of the officer's term of office. If an officer's term of office is more than 2 years, a recall petition shall not be filed against the officer until the officer has actually performed the duties of the office to which elected for a period of 1 year during the current term of office and a recall petition shall not be filed against an officer during the last 1 year of the officer's term of office. An officer sought to be recalled shall continue to perform the duties of his or her office until the result of the recall election is certified.
  (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), if, on the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subsection, language to recall an officer has been submitted and approved under section 952, then a recall petition may be filed if the officer has actually performed the duties of his or her office for a period of 6 months and it is not within the last 6 months of the term of office, regardless of the officer's term of office.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 533, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1978 ;-- Am. 1993, Act 45, Imd. Eff. May 27, 1993 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.951a Recall petition under MCL 168.959; requirements; submission to board of state canvassers; determination that reason for recall is factual and of sufficient clarity; notice; meeting; presentation of arguments; appeal; validity of petition.

Sec. 951a.

  (1) A petition for the recall of an officer listed in section 959 must meet all of the following requirements:
  (a) Comply with section 544c(1) and (2).
  (b) Be printed.
  (c) State factually and clearly each reason for the recall. Each reason for the recall must be based upon the officer's conduct during his or her current term of office. The reason for the recall may be typewritten. If any reason for the recall is based on the officer's conduct in connection with specific legislation, the reason for the recall must not misrepresent the content of the specific legislation.
  (d) Contain a certificate of the circulator. The certificate of the circulator may be printed on the reverse side of the petition.
  (e) Be in a form prescribed by the secretary of state.
  (2) Before being circulated, a petition for the recall of an officer under subsection (1) must be submitted to the board of state canvassers.
  (3) The board of state canvassers, not less than 10 days or more than 20 days after submission to it of a petition for the recall of an officer under subsection (1), shall meet and shall determine by an affirmative vote of 3 of the members serving on the board of state canvassers whether each reason for the recall stated in the petition is factual and of sufficient clarity to enable the officer whose recall is sought and the electors to identify the course of conduct that is the basis for the recall. If any reason for the recall is not factual or of sufficient clarity, the entire recall petition must be rejected. Failure of the board of state canvassers to meet as required by this subsection constitutes a determination that each reason for the recall stated in the petition is factual and of sufficient clarity to enable the officer whose recall is being sought and the electors to identify the course of conduct that is the basis for the recall.
  (4) The board of state canvassers, not later than 3 business days after receipt of a petition for the recall of an officer as provided under subsection (2), shall notify the officer whose recall is sought of each reason stated in the recall petition and of the date of the meeting of the board of state canvassers to consider whether each reason is factual and of sufficient clarity.
  (5) The officer whose recall is sought and the sponsors of the recall petition may appear at the meeting and present arguments on whether each reason is factual and of sufficient clarity.
  (6) The determination by the board of state canvassers may be appealed by the officer whose recall is sought or by the sponsors of the recall petition drive to the court of appeals. The appeal must be filed not more than 10 days after the determination of the board of state canvassers. If a determination of the board of state canvassers is appealed to the court of appeals, the recall petition is not valid for circulation and must not be circulated until a determination of whether each reason is factual and of sufficient clarity is made by the court of appeals or until 40 days after the date of the appeal, whichever is sooner.
  (7) A petition is not valid for circulation if at any time the court of appeals determines that each reason on the recall petition is not factual and of sufficient clarity.
  (8) A recall petition is valid for 180 days after either of the following, whichever occurs later:
  (a) The date of determination of whether each reason is factual and of sufficient clarity by the board of state canvassers.
  (b) The sooner of the following:
  (i) The date of determination of whether each reason is factual and of sufficient clarity by the court of appeals.
  (ii) Subject to subsection (7), 40 days after the date of the appeal under subsection (6).
  (9) A recall petition that is filed after the 180-day period described in subsection (8) is not valid and must not be accepted by the filing official under section 961. This subsection does not prohibit a person from resubmitting a recall petition for a determination of sufficient clarity and factualness under this section.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 190, Imd. Eff. June 20, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.952 Recall petition under MCL 168.960; requirements; submission to board of county election commissioners; determination that reason for recall is factual and of sufficient clarity; notice; meeting; presentation of arguments; appeal; validity of petition.

Sec. 952.

  (1) A petition for the recall of an officer listed in section 960 must meet all of the following requirements:
  (a) Comply with section 544c(1) and (2).
  (b) Be printed.
  (c) State factually and clearly each reason for the recall. Each reason for the recall must be based upon the officer's conduct during his or her current term of office. The reason for the recall may be typewritten.
  (d) Contain a certificate of the circulator. The certificate of the circulator may be printed on the reverse side of the petition.
  (e) Be in a form prescribed by the secretary of state.
  (2) Before being circulated, a petition for the recall of an officer under subsection (1) must be submitted to the board of county election commissioners of the county in which the officer whose recall is sought resides.
  (3) The board of county election commissioners, not less than 10 days or more than 20 days after submission to it of a petition for the recall of an officer under subsection (1), shall meet and shall determine whether each reason for the recall stated in the petition is factual and of sufficient clarity to enable the officer whose recall is sought and the electors to identify the course of conduct that is the basis for the recall. If any reason for the recall is not factual or of sufficient clarity, the entire recall petition must be rejected. Failure of the board of county election commissioners to meet as required by this subsection constitutes a determination that each reason for the recall stated in the petition is factual and of sufficient clarity to enable the officer whose recall is being sought and the electors to identify the course of conduct that is the basis for the recall.
  (4) The board of county election commissioners, not later than 3 business days after receipt of a petition for the recall of an officer as provided under subsection (2), shall notify the officer whose recall is sought of each reason stated in the recall petition and of the date of the meeting of the board of county election commissioners to consider whether each reason is factual and of sufficient clarity.
  (5) The officer whose recall is sought and the sponsors of the recall petition may appear at the meeting and present arguments on whether each reason is factual and of sufficient clarity.
  (6) The determination by the board of county election commissioners may be appealed by the officer whose recall is sought or by the sponsors of the recall petition drive to the circuit court in the county. The appeal must be filed not more than 10 days after the determination of the board of county election commissioners. If a determination of the board of county election commissioners is appealed to the circuit court in the county, the recall petition is not valid for circulation and must not be circulated until a determination of whether each reason is factual and of sufficient clarity is made by the circuit court or until 40 days after the date of the appeal, whichever is sooner.
  (7) A petition is not valid for circulation if at any time a circuit court determines that each reason on the recall petition is not factual and of sufficient clarity.
  (8) A recall petition is valid for 180 days after either of the following, whichever occurs later:
  (a) The date of determination of whether each reason is factual and of sufficient clarity by the board of county election commissioners.
  (b) The sooner of the following:
  (i) The date of determination of whether each reason is factual and of sufficient clarity by the circuit court.
  (ii) Subject to subsection (7), 40 days after the date of the appeal under subsection (6).
  (9) A recall petition that is filed after the 180-day period described in subsection (8) is not valid and must not be accepted by the filing official under section 961. This subsection does not prohibit a person from resubmitting a recall petition for a determination of sufficient clarity and factualness under this section.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 456, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 1982 ;-- Am. 1993, Act 45, Imd. Eff. May 27, 1993 ;-- Am. 1993, Act 137, Eff. Jan. 1, 1994 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 190, Imd. Eff. June 20, 2018
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.952a Recall petitions; blank forms; substantial compliance.

Sec. 952a.

   The county clerk shall retain blank forms of recall petitions for use by the electors in the county. A person may print his or her own recall petitions if those petitions comply substantially with the form prescribed by the secretary of state and the requirements of section 544c(2).


History: Add. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 1993, Act 137, Eff. Jan. 1, 1994
Popular Name: Election Code





168.952b Recall petition; time for submission to board of state canvassers or board of county election commissioners.

Sec. 952b.

  A petition for the recall of an officer shall not be submitted to the board of state canvassers under section 951a or the board of county election commissioners under section 952 to determine if the petition is factual and of sufficient clarity until the officer has actually performed the duties of the office to which elected for a period of 6 months during the current term of that office. In addition, a petition for the recall of an officer shall not be submitted to the board of state canvassers under section 951a or the board of county election commissioners under section 952 to determine if the petition is factual and of sufficient clarity during the last 6 months of the officer's term of office.


History: Add. 2012, Act 418, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012





168.953 Repealed. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to modifying form of recall petition.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.954 Recall petitions; eligibility of signers; prohibited conduct; violations; misdemeanor; felony; penalties.

Sec. 954.

  (1) A recall petition must be signed by registered and qualified electors of the electoral district of the official whose recall is sought. Each signer of a recall petition shall affix his or her signature, address, and the date of signing. An individual who signs a recall petition must be a registered and qualified elector of the governmental subdivision designated in the heading of the petition.
  (2) An individual shall not do any of the following:
  (a) Sign a recall petition with a name other than his or her own.
  (b) Make a false statement in a certificate on a recall petition.
  (c) If not a circulator, sign a recall petition as a circulator.
  (d) Sign a name as circulator other than his or her own.
  (3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4), an individual who violates subsection (2) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 93 days, or both.
  (4) An individual shall not sign a recall petition with multiple names. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony.
  (5) If an individual signs a recall petition in violation of this section, any signature by that individual on the petition is invalid and must not be counted.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 650, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.955 Recall petition; number of signatures; certification.

Sec. 955.

   The petitions shall be signed by registered and qualified electors equal to not less than 25% of the number of votes cast for candidates for the office of governor at the last preceding general election in the electoral district of the officer sought to be recalled. Upon written demand, the county clerk, within 5 days, shall certify the minimum number of signatures required for the recall of an officer in the governmental unit in which recall is sought.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 188, Eff. July 1, 1967 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 533, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1978
Popular Name: Election Code





168.956 Repealed. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to signatures on recall petition.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.957 Recall petition; certificate of circulator; false statement; misdemeanor.

Sec. 957.

  (1) A person circulating a recall petition shall state in the certificate of circulator his or her residence address and that he or she is 18 years of age or older and a United States citizen. In addition, the certificate of circulator must indicate all of the following:
  (a) That signatures appearing upon the recall petition were not obtained through fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation and that he or she has neither caused nor permitted a person to sign the recall petition more than once and has no knowledge of a person signing the recall petition more than once.
  (b) That all signatures to the recall petition were affixed in his or her presence.
  (c) That, to the best of his or her knowledge, information, and belief, the signers of the recall petition are qualified and registered electors and the signatures appearing on the recall petition are the genuine signatures of the persons signing the recall petition.
  (2) A person who knowingly makes a false statement in the certificate of circulator is guilty of a misdemeanor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 120, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018
Popular Name: Election Code





168.958 Recall petition sheet; signature of qualified and registered electors; location for signing; signature of person not qualified and registered elector.

Sec. 958.

   A petition sheet shall contain only the signatures of qualified and registered electors of the city or township listed in its heading. For recall of a village officer the petition shall be signed by qualified and registered electors of the village. A qualified and registered elector may sign the petition sheet in any location at which the petition sheet is available. A petition is not invalid if it contains the signature of a person who is not a qualified and registered elector of the appropriate city, township, or village listed in the heading of that petition sheet.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 533, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1978
Popular Name: Election Code





168.958a Separate petitions required.

Sec. 958a.

   A separate petition shall be circulated for each officer sought to be recalled.


History: Add. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976
Popular Name: Election Code





168.959 Recall of senators, representatives, elective state officers, county officials, or secretary of state; filing petitions.

Sec. 959.

   Petitions demanding the recall of United States senators, members of congress, state senators and representatives in the state legislature, elective state officers except the secretary of state, and county officials except county commissioners, shall be filed with the secretary of state. Petitions for the recall of the secretary of state shall be filed with the governor.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976
Popular Name: Election Code





168.960 Recall of elective county commissioner or township, city, village, or school official; recall of elective district library board member; filing petition; recall of elective metropolitan district officer.

Sec. 960.

  (1) A petition demanding the recall of an elective county commissioner or township, city, village, or school official shall be filed with the county clerk of the county in which the largest portion of the registered voters in the electoral district reside.
  (2) A petition demanding the recall of an elective district library board member shall be filed with the clerk of the largest county. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "largest" has the meaning ascribed to it in section 2 of the district library establishment act, 1989 PA 24, MCL 397.172.
  (3) A petition demanding the recall of an elective metropolitan district officer shall be filed with the county clerk of the county in which the largest portion of the registered voters in the electoral district reside.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 26, Imd. Eff. May 22, 1989 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 586, Imd. Eff. Jan. 7, 2013
Popular Name: Election Code





168.961 Recall petition; filing; receipt; duties of filing official; duties of city or township clerk; certificate; duties of village clerk; use of qualified voter file.

Sec. 961.

  (1) A recall petition shall be filed with the filing officer provided in section 959 or 960. The filing official shall give a receipt showing the date of filing, the number of recall petition sheets filed, and the number of signatures claimed by the filer. This shall constitute the total filing, and additional recall petition sheets for this filing shall not be accepted by the filing official.
  (2) Within 7 days after a recall petition is filed, the filing official with whom the recall petition was filed shall examine the recall petition. The filing official shall determine if the recall petition is in proper form and shall determine the number of signatures of the recall petition. In determining the number of signatures, the filing official shall not count signatures on a recall petition sheet if 1 or more of the following apply:
  (a) The execution of the certificate of circulator is not in compliance with this act.
  (b) The heading of the recall petition sheet is improperly completed.
  (c) The reasons for recall are different than those determined under section 951a by the board of state canvassers or the Michigan court of appeals or under section 952 by the board of county election commissioners or the circuit court to be factual and of sufficient clarity to enable the officer whose recall is sought and the electors to identify the course of conduct which is the basis for this recall.
  (d) The signature was obtained before the date of determination as provided under section 951a(8) by the board of state canvassers or the Michigan court of appeals, whichever occurs later, or as provided under section 952(8) by the board of county election commissioners or the circuit court, whichever occurs later, or more than 60 days before the filing of the recall petition.
  (3) If the filing official determines that the form of the recall petition is improper or that the number of signatures is less than the minimum number required in section 955, the filing official shall proceed as provided in section 963(1).
  (4) If the filing official determines that the number of signatures is in excess of the minimum number required in section 955, the filing official shall determine the validity of the signatures by verifying the registration of signers under subsection (6) and may determine the genuineness of signatures under subsection (7) or shall forward each recall petition sheet to the clerk of the city or township appearing on the head of the recall petition sheet. However, the recall petition shall not be forwarded to the secretary of a school district.
  (5) The city or township clerk shall determine the validity of the signatures by verifying the registration of signers under subsection (6) and may determine the genuineness of signatures under subsection (7). Within 15 days after receipt of the recall petition, the city or township clerk shall attach to the recall petition a certificate indicating the number of signers on each recall petition sheet that are registered electors in the city or township and in the governmental unit for which the recall is sought. The certificate shall be on a form approved by the secretary of state and may be a part of the recall petition sheet. If the recall petition is for the recall of a village official, the county clerk shall forward the recall petition to the clerk of the village, and the duties and responsibilities of the city or township clerk as set forth in this section shall be performed by the village clerk.
  (6) The qualified voter file shall be used to determine the validity of recall petition signatures by verifying the registration of signers. If the qualified voter file indicates that, on the date the elector signed the recall petition, the elector was not registered to vote, there is a rebuttable presumption that the signature is invalid. If the qualified voter file indicates that, on the date the elector signed the recall petition, the elector was not registered to vote in the city or township designated on the recall petition, there is a rebuttable presumption that the signature is invalid.
  (7) The qualified voter file shall be used to determine the genuineness of a challenged petition signature appearing on a recall petition. Signature comparisons shall be made with the digitized signature in the qualified voter file. If the qualified voter file does not contain a digitized signature of an elector, the official with whom the recall petition was filed shall compare the challenged signature to the signature on the master card.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 37, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 1956 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 533, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1978 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 456, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 1982 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 219, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Eff. Jan. 1, 2007 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.961a Notice to officer whose recall is sought; challenge; checking signatures; verifying challenged signature; use of qualified voter file.

Sec. 961a.

  (1) Not later than the business day following the filing of a recall petition, the official with whom the recall was filed shall notify in writing the officer whose recall is sought that the recall petition has been filed.
  (2) An officer whose recall is sought may challenge the validity of the registration or the validity and genuineness of the signature of a circulator or person signing the recall petition. A challenge shall be in writing, specifying the challenged signature, and shall be delivered to the filing official within 30 days after the filing of the petitions. The officer whose recall is sought shall have not less than 8 days after the clerk has examined the signatures to check signatures on the original registration records.
  (3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), a challenged signature shall be verified by the official with whom the recall was filed.
  (4) The qualified voter file may be used to determine the validity of a challenged petition signature appearing on a recall petition by verifying the registration of the signer. If the qualified voter file indicates that, on the date the elector signed the petition, the elector was not registered to vote, there is a rebuttable presumption that the signature is invalid. If the qualified voter file indicates that, on the date the elector signed the petition, the elector was not registered to vote in the city or township designated on the petition, there is a rebuttable presumption that the signature is invalid.
  (5) The qualified voter file shall be used to determine the genuineness of a challenged petition signature appearing on a recall petition. Signature comparisons shall be made with the digitized signature in the qualified voter file. If the qualified voter file does not contain a digitized signature of an elector, the official with whom the recall petition was filed shall compare the challenged signature to the signature on the master card.


History: Add. 1978, Act 533, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1978 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 456, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 1982 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 220, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Eff. Jan. 1, 2007
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.962 Repealed. 1978, Act 533, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1978.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to insufficiency of recall petitions.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.963 Sufficiency or insufficiency of recall petition; determination; notice; recall election; recall primary election; special recall election.

Sec. 963.

  (1) Within 35 days after the filing of the recall petition, the filing official with whom the recall petition is filed shall make an official declaration of the sufficiency or insufficiency of the recall petition. If the recall petition is determined to be insufficient, the filing official shall notify the person or organization sponsoring the recall of the insufficiency of the recall petition. It is not necessary to give notification unless the person or organization sponsoring the recall files with the filing official a written notice of sponsorship and a mailing address.
  (2) If a recall petition is filed under section 960, immediately upon determining that the recall petition is sufficient, but not later than 35 days after the date of filing of the recall petition, the county clerk with whom the recall petition is filed shall call the recall election and proceed under sections 971c to 975. The recall election shall be held not less than 95 days after the date the recall petition is filed and shall be held on the next May regular election date or the next November regular election date, whichever occurs first.
  (3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4), if a recall petition is filed under section 959, the filing official with whom the recall petition is filed shall call the recall primary election and proceed under sections 970b to 970g. The recall primary election shall be held on the next regular election date that is not less than 95 days after the date the recall petition is filed.
  (4) If a recall petition is filed under section 959 demanding the recall of the governor, the filing official with whom the recall petition is filed shall call a special recall election and proceed under sections 975c to 975g. The special recall election shall be held not less than 95 days after the date the recall petition is filed and shall be held on the next May regular election date or the next August regular election date, whichever occurs first.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 533, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1978 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 456, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 1982 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 220, Eff. Mar. 10, 2000 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 71, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2005 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 99, Eff. Sept. 28, 2015
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 4 of Act 71 of 2005 provides:"Enacting section 4. If any portion of this amendatory act or the application of this amendatory act to any person or circumstances is found invalid by a court, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions or applications of this amendatory act that can be given effect without the invalid portion or application, if the remaining portions are not determined by the court to be inoperable, and to this end this amendatory act is declared to be severable."Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.964 Repealed. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to procedures governing recall elections.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.965 Recall of officer with election duties; appointment of impartial public officer.

Sec. 965.

   In the event that a petition for the recall of an officer having duties to perform in connection with the election on such question is filed, the official with whom the petition is filed shall appoint some other impartial public officer having knowledge of the election laws involved and such officer thereupon shall discharge the election duties only of the officer sought to be recalled until the result on the question of the recall is finally determined; the public officer so appointed to act shall receive no additional compensation for his services.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.966 Repealed. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to contents of recall ballots.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.967 Recall elections; payment of expenses.

Sec. 967.

  The expenses of a special recall election, a recall primary election, a recall general election, or a recall election shall be payable in the same manner as are the costs of a regular election to fill the office in question.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.968 Canvass of recall election.

Sec. 968.

  If a recall petition is filed under section 960, the board of county canvassers in the county where the recall petition is filed shall conduct the canvass of the recall election. The canvass of other recall elections, including a special recall election as provided under section 963(4), shall be by the board of state canvassers.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 26, Imd. Eff. May 22, 1989 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.969 Further recall petition; filing.

Sec. 969.

  After filing a recall petition and after a recall election, a recall general election, or special recall election under this chapter, no further recall petition shall be filed against the same incumbent of that office during the term for which he or she is elected.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.970 Repealed. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to vacancy due to recall of officer.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.970a Applicability of MCL 168.970b to 168.970g.

Sec. 970a.

  Sections 970b to 970g apply to the recall primary election and recall general election for an office listed in section 959.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.970b Incumbent as nominee.

Sec. 970b.

  Unless the incumbent declines within 10 days after the filing of a recall petition, the incumbent shall be the nominee of that political party at the recall general election to be held as described in section 970e and that political party shall not conduct a recall primary election as described in sections 970c and 970e.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.970c Recall primary election; filing nominating petition or paying fee; incumbent as nominee.

Sec. 970c.

  (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), for the recall primary election, a political party candidate may qualify for the recall primary election by filing a nominating petition or paying a $100.00 nonrefundable fee with the secretary of state not later than 4 p.m. on the tenth day after the filing official with whom the recall petition is filed calls the recall primary election. The nominating petition shall be filed with the secretary of state and signed by 10% of the number of signatures required under section 544f.
  (2) As provided in section 970b, if the incumbent is the nominee of his or her political party at the recall general election, an individual in the incumbent's political party is not eligible as a candidate for the recall primary election and that political party shall not conduct a recall primary election.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.970e Recall primary election; declaration of nominee; candidate without political party affiliation.

Sec. 970e.

  Subject to section 970b, the candidate of each political party receiving the greatest number of votes cast for candidates at the recall primary election as set forth in the report of the board of state canvassers, based on the returns from the various election precincts, shall be declared the nominee of that political party at the recall general election to be held on the next May regular election date or the next August regular election date, whichever occurs first. In addition, except as otherwise provided in this section, a candidate without a political party affiliation may qualify for the recall general election by filing a qualifying petition with the officer with whom the recall petitions were filed that contains 10% of the number of signatures required under section 544f within 10 days after the recall general election is scheduled. An individual who was an unsuccessful candidate in the recall primary election may not subsequently file a qualifying petition as a candidate without a political party affiliation for the recall general election.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 102, Eff. Sept. 28, 2015
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.970g Candidate receiving highest number of votes; election.

Sec. 970g.

  The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the recall general election is elected for the remainder of the term.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.971 Repealed. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to special election to fill vacancy.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.971a Applicability of MCL 168.971c to 168.975.

Sec. 971a.

  Sections 971c to 975 apply to the recall election for an office listed in section 960.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.971c Incumbent deemed to have filed; appearance of name on ballot.

Sec. 971c.

  Unless the incumbent declines within 10 days after the filing of a recall petition, the incumbent shall, without filing, be deemed to have filed for the recall election and his or her name shall appear on the recall election ballot.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.972 Nominating and voting for candidate for nonpartisan office; signing and filing nominating petition; signing, contents, and filing of recall petition.

Sec. 972.

  (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) and section 971c, if the recall election involves a nonpartisan office, a candidate for that nonpartisan office shall be nominated and voted for in the recall election by filing a nominating petition or paying a $100.00 nonrefundable fee not later than 4 p.m. on the tenth day after the filing official with whom the recall petition is filed calls the recall election. The nominating petition shall be filed with the clerk of the electoral district and signed by 10% of the number of qualified and registered electors of the electoral district as required under section 544f. Instead of filing a nominating petition, an individual may become a candidate by paying a $100.00 nonrefundable fee with the clerk of the electoral district.
  (2) This subsection applies to a recall election involving a school board member, if the recall election is scheduled to be held on the same date as a general election. A nominating petition filed by a candidate shall be signed by a number of qualified and registered electors of the school district as determined under section 303. The nominating petition shall be filed with the school district election coordinator, as designated by section 301, not later than 4 p.m. on the tenth day after the filing official with whom the recall petition is filed calls the recall election. Instead of filing a nominating petition, an individual may become a candidate by paying a $100.00 nonrefundable fee to the school district election coordinator.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 66, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 1976 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 107, Imd. Eff. Apr. 7, 1978 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 533, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1978 ;-- Am. 1979, Act 2, Imd. Eff. Mar. 30, 1979 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 26, Imd. Eff. May 22, 1989 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 298, Imd. Eff. July 23, 2004 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.973 Repealed. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to nomination of candidates to fill vacancy.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.973a Nominating candidate for partisan office.

Sec. 973a.

  (1) Subject to subsection (2), if the recall election involves a partisan office, a political party candidate shall be nominated for that partisan office as follows:
  (a) If the office is in the office of county commissioner or in a district office within an electoral district of 1 county, the county executive committee of the political party shall nominate a candidate for that office.
  (b) If the office is in a district office within an electoral district in less than 1 county and 3 or more members of the county executive committee of a political party reside in the electoral district, the members of the county executive committee of the political party residing in the electoral district shall nominate a candidate for that office. If the office is in a district office within an electoral district in less than 1 county and less than 3 members of the county executive committee of a political party reside in the electoral district, the county executive committee of the political party shall nominate a candidate for that office.
  (c) If the office is in a district office having an electoral district in more than 1 county, the members of the several county executive committees of the political party residing in those parts of the counties that are in the district shall nominate a candidate for that office.
  (d) If the office is in a ward or township office and 3 or more members of the county executive committee of a political party reside in the ward or township, the members of the county executive committee of the political party residing in that ward or township shall nominate a candidate for that office. If the office is in a ward or township office and less than 3 members of the county executive committee of a political party reside in the ward or township, the county executive committee of the political party shall nominate a candidate for that office.
  (2) If the incumbent candidate declines to be a candidate at the recall election as provided in section 971c, the political party of that incumbent candidate shall nominate a candidate using the nominating procedure as provided in subsection (1).
  (3) Each nomination by a committee under subsection (1) shall be certified to the officer with whom the recall petitions were filed within 10 days after the calling of the recall election.
  (4) A candidate without a political party affiliation may qualify for a partisan office by filing a qualifying petition with the officer with whom the recall petitions were filed that contains 10% of the number of signatures required under section 544f within 10 days after the calling of the recall election.


History: Add 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.974 Repealed. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to officer who resigned or was recalled prohibited from filling vacancy.
Popular Name: Election Code





168.975 Candidate deemed elected.

Sec. 975.

  The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the recall election is elected for the remainder of the term.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.975a Applicability of MCL168.975c to 168.975g; special recall election for office of governor.

Sec. 975a.

  Sections 975c to 975g apply to the special recall election for the office of the governor.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.975c Recall of governor; procedure.

Sec. 975c.

  The procedure governing the special recall election on the question of the recall of the governor shall be the same, unless otherwise provided in this act, as that by which the governor is elected to office. If the official with whom the recall petition is filed is not required to give public notice of an election concerning the office of the governor, the official shall give notice to the official or officials required to give public notice of the election, cause the ballots to be printed, provide election supplies, and do all other things necessary to conduct the election in the manner provided in this act.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.975e Recall of governor; statement of reason; condensed statement; justification of conduct in office; submission by governor; printing on special recall election ballot; certain words on ballot prohibited; question.

Sec. 975e.

  (1) Each reason for demanding the recall of the governor as set forth in the recall petition shall be printed on the special recall election ballot used at the special recall election in not more than 200 words. If the statement of reason set forth in the petition contains more than 200 words, then the statement shall be condensed by the sponsor of the recall petition for use on the special recall election ballot. If the sponsor fails to furnish the condensed statement within 48 hours following written demand, then the statement shall be condensed by the official preparing the special recall election ballots.
  (2) The official preparing the special recall election ballot shall provide in writing to the governor the statement of reason which shall appear on the special recall election ballot. The governor, in not more than 200 words, may submit a justification of his or her conduct in office. The justification shall be submitted to the official preparing the special recall election ballot within 72 hours after receipt of the notification. If submitted in the prescribed time, the justification shall be printed on the special recall election ballot.
  (3) The statement "Vote no on the recall" or "Vote yes on the recall" or words of similar import shall not be permitted on the special recall election ballot. A part of the reason for demanding the recall of the governor or the governor's justification of conduct in office shall not be emphasized by italics, underscoring, or in any other manner.
  (4) There shall be printed on the special recall election ballot the following question:
  Shall (Name the person against whom the recall petition is filed) be recalled from the office of governor? Printed below the question in separate lines in clearly legible type shall be the words "Yes" [ ] and "No" [ ] or in a form as prescribed by the secretary of state.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.975g Majority of votes in favor of recall; certification of result; replacement of governor.

Sec. 975g.

  If the board of state canvassers determines that a majority of the votes are in favor of recall, the board of state canvassers immediately upon the determination shall certify the result to the officer with whom the recall petition was filed. Upon certification, the governor shall be replaced as provided under section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code





168.976 Recall election; laws governing.

Sec. 976.

   The laws relating to nominations and elections shall govern all nominations and elections under this act insofar as is not in conflict herewith.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.977 Appointment of officer who was recalled or resigned prohibited.

Sec. 977.

  (1) An officer who is recalled under this chapter shall not be appointed to fill a vacancy in an elective office in the electoral district or governmental unit from which the recall was made during the term of office from which the officer was recalled.
  (2) An officer who resigns subsequent to the filing of a recall petition shall not be appointed to fill a vacancy in elective office in that electoral district or governmental unit during the term of the office from which the officer resigned.
  (3) If an officer resigns subsequent to the filing of petitions to recall that officer from office, it is not necessary for the office with which the recall petitions have been filed to proceed under sections 961 and 963.
  (4) If an officer whose recall is sought resigns after the calling of a recall primary election, recall general election, recall election, or special recall election, the election shall not be held.


History: Add. 2012, Act 417, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2012
Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 2. As provided in section 5 of 1846 RS 1, MCL 8.5, this act is severable."Enacting section 3 of Act 417 of 2012 provides:"Enacting section 3. The legislature recognizes the importance of the electoral process, and it is the intent of the legislature that this amendatory act uphold each of the following: (a) Section 4 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (b) Section 8 of article II of the state constitution of 1963. (c) Section 26 of article V of the state constitution of 1963."
Popular Name: Election Code



Chapter XXXVII
REPEALS AND MISCELLANEOUS


168.991 Repeals.

Sec. 991.

   The following sections and acts and all acts and parts of acts amendatory thereto, and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with or contravening the provisions of this act, are hereby repealed, namely: Sections 4, 6, 12 and 13 of chapter 15 of the Revised Statutes of 1846, being sections 201.4, 201.6, 201.12 and 201.13, respectively, of the Compiled Laws of 1948; sections 11, 46 and 47 of chapter 16 of the Revised Statutes of 1846, being sections 41.11, 41.46 and 41.47, respectively, of the Compiled Laws of 1948; Act No. 159 of the Public Acts of 1851, being section 201.41 of the Compiled Laws of 1948; Act No. 79 of the Public Acts of 1871, being section 201.81 of the Compiled Laws of 1948; section 28 of Act No. 44 of the Public Acts of 1899, being section 24.28 of the Compiled Laws of 1948; Act No. 325 of the Public Acts of 1913, being sections 201.101 to 201.108, inclusive, of the Compiled Laws of 1948; Act No. 156 of the Public Acts of 1915, being sections 3.1 to 3.4, inclusive, of the Compiled Laws of 1948; section 40 of Act No. 314 of the Public Acts of 1915, being section 602.40 of the Compiled Laws of 1948; Act No. 211 of the Public Acts of 1917, being sections 200.81 to 200.86, inclusive, of the Compiled Laws of 1948; Act No. 3 of the Public Acts of 1919, being sections 200.91 to 200.102, inclusive, of the Compiled Laws of 1948; Act No. 400 of the Public Acts of 1921, being sections 200.31 to 200.44, inclusive, of the Compiled Laws of 1948; sections 2, 3, 4 and 6 of Act No. 199 of the Public Acts of 1923, being sections 201.32, 201.33, 201.34 and 201.36, respectively, of the Compiled Laws of 1948; Act No. 351 of the Public Acts of 1925, being sections 145.1 to 199.1, inclusive, of the Compiled Laws of 1948; Act No. 211 of the Public Acts of 1929, being sections 201.61 to 201.65, inclusive, of the Compiled Laws of 1948; Act No. 265 of the Public Acts of 1931, being sections 551.291 and 551.292 of the Compiled Laws of 1948; section 395 of Act No. 328 of the Public Acts of 1931, being section 750.395 of the Compiled Laws of 1948; Act No. 246 of the Public Acts of 1941, being sections 200.1 to 200.14, inclusive, of the Compiled Laws of 1948; and Act No. 65 of the Public Acts of 1951, being sections 11.131 to 11.134, inclusive, of the Compiled Laws of 1948.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code





168.992 Effective date of act.

Sec. 992.

   This act shall become effective on June 1, 1955.


History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955
Popular Name: Election Code




Rendered 3/19/2024 00:53:49 Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 19 of 2024
Courtesy of www.legislature.mi.gov