HOUSE BILL No. 6152

June 7, 2006, Introduced by Reps. Meyer, Newell, Stewart and Wenke and referred to the Committee on House Oversight, Elections, and Ethics.

 

     A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled

 

"Michigan election law,"

 

by amending section 163 (MCL 168.163), as amended by 1999 PA 218.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 163. (1) To obtain the printing of the name of a person

 

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 shall 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 shall be

 

filed with the secretary of state. If the district comprises 1

 


county or less, the nominating petitions shall be filed with the

 

county clerk of that county. Nominating petitions shall 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 twelfth Tuesday  

 

preceding  before the August primary.

 

     (2)  In  Until December 31, 2007, in lieu of filing a

 

nominating petition, a 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. Beginning January 1, 2008, in

 

lieu of filing a nominating petition, a filing fee of $500.00 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 shall be governed by the same provisions as in the case of

 

nominating petitions. The fee shall be deposited in the general

 

fund of the county and shall be refunded to candidates who are

 

nominated  and to an equal number of candidates who receive the

 

next highest number of votes  in the primary election.  If 2 or

 

more candidates tie in having the lowest number of votes allowing a

 

refund, the sum of $100.00 shall be divided among them.  A refund

 

of a deposit shall not be made to a candidate who withdraws as a

 

candidate.