POLLING PLACE LOCATIONS                                                                H.B. 4492 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4492 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Representative Ann Bollin

House Committee:  Elections and Ethics

Senate Committee:  Elections

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to do the following:

-- Remove language requiring the legislative body in each city and township to arrange for the rental or erection of suitable buildings for use as polling places if publicly owned or controlled buildings are not available.

-- Eliminate references to villages.

-- Remove language pertaining to the establishment of central polling places or the abolition of polling places made obsolete by the establishment of a central polling place.

-- Allow a legislative body, if a suitable place were not reasonably available or convenient to use, to establish a polling place at a clubhouse or conference center located within an apartment or condominium complex, hotel conference center, or recreation clubhouse, in addition to those places currently listed.

-- Prohibit the legislative body of a city or township from designating as a polling place a location described above that is owned by a person who was a sponsor of a political or independent committee.

-- Require the clerk of the city or township to obtain a signed affidavit from the owner or manager of a privately owned venue that certified that he or she was not a sponsor of a political or independent committee before the location could be designated as a polling place.

-- Prohibit a city or township from using a building that did not meet the bill's requirements as a polling place.

MCL 168.662                                                              Legislative Analyst:  Dana Adams

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  9-30-21                                                   Fiscal Analyst:  Joe Carrasco

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.