BALLOT REQ. FOR POLITICAL PARTIES - H.B. 5237: FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 5237 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Leon Drolet
House Committee: Redistricting and Elections
Senate Committee: Judiciary
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to specify that the term "principal candidate" of a political party would mean the candidate who received the greatest number of votes of all candidates of that party for a particular election. Currently, the term means the candidate whose name appears nearest the top of the party column.
(The Michigan Election Law provides that the name of a candidate of a new political party may not be printed on election ballots unless the party files with the Secretary of State, by 4:00 p.m. of the 110th day before the November general election, petitions with signatures of a number of registered and qualified voters equal to at least 1% of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for Governor at the last election in which a Governor was elected.
If a party's "principal candidate" receives a vote total of less than 1% of the total number of votes cast for the winner in the most recent November general election race for Secretary of State, the party may not have the name of any candidate printed on the ballots at the next November general election and a column may not be provided for that party on the ballots, unless the party again qualifies for the ballot by submitting the required petitions.)
MCL 168.685 - Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 5-17-02 - Fiscal Analyst: Jessica RunnelsFloor\hb5237 - Bill Analysis @ http://www.senate.state.mi.us/sfa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.