BALLOT ACCESS REQUIREMENTS FOR POLITICAL PARTIES
House Bill 5237
Sponsor: Rep. Leon Drolet
Committee: Redistricting and Elections
Complete to 1-25-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5237 AS INTRODUCED 10-16-01
For a political party to have its candidates appear on the ballot automatically at the general November election, under the Michigan Election Law, the party's principal candidate must have received a vote equal to at least one percent of the total number of votes cast for the successful candidate for the office of secretary of state at the most recent general November election at which a secretary of state was elected. The term "principal candidate" currently refers to the candidate whose name appeared nearest the top of the party column on the ballot. Under House Bill 5237, the term "principal candidate" would refer to the candidate who received the greatest number of votes of all candidates of that political party for that election.
(A "new" political party can get its candidates on the ballot by filing petitions containing sufficient signatures. If the principal candidate receives enough votes, the party's candidates appear automatically on the ballot at the next election. If not, the party must again follow the petition procedure. Generally speaking, a "new" party under the election law is a party that must meet the petition requirements to get its candidates on the ballot. This means a "new" party can have a long history.)
MCL 168.685
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.