ABSENT VOTER BALLOT DROP BOX REQ.                                                 S.B. 372 (S-2):

                                                                                       REVISED SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 372 (Substitute S-2 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Darrin Camilleri

Committee:  Elections and Ethics

CONTENT

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

-- Require a city or township to install at least one absent voter ballot drop box.

-- Allow voted absent ballots and absent ballot applications to be placed in a drop box.

-- Require a city or township to have at least one drop box per 15,000 registered electors.

-- Require the Secretary of State (SOS) to facilitate and bear the cost of the procurement and distribution of absent voter ballot drop boxes.

-- Require the clerk of each city or township to ensure that absent voter ballot drop boxes were distributed equitably throughout the city or township.

-- Require each city or township clerk to ensure that the SOS had the information necessary to include on its website the location of each drop box.

-- Modify requirements for indoor and outdoor drop boxes to make them uniform.

-- Require a drop box to be accessible 24 hours each day during the 40 days before election day and be accessible until 8 PM on election day.

-- Require an authorized individual to collect election material from a drop box beginning 35 days before an election.

MCL 168.761d                                                         Legislative Analyst:  Abby Schneider

BRIEF RATIONALE

Proposal 22-2 amended the State Constitution to require each municipality to provide at least one State-funded secure drop-box per 15,000 registered voters. With several municipalities holding elections in August and November, it has been suggested that the Law be amended to reflect the Proposal's provisions and to further govern the Proposal's implementation.                                                    

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have significant costs for the State to provide absent voter drop boxes for each municipal jurisdiction. Proposal 22-2 requires there to be one drop box per municipal jurisdiction and at least one additional drop box for every additional 15,000 registered voters in the jurisdiction. The State has determined the average cost of installation, video monitoring, additional staffing costs, and development of training materials and clerk assistance to be $8,100 per drop box. The State anticipates the purchase and installation of an initial 1,800 drop boxes across the State to meet the minimal requirement, totaling an estimated cost of $14.3 million, excluding staffing costs. The estimated ongoing costs beginning in FY 2023-24 would total $2.0 million annually and consist of costs for video storage and maintenance for 1,800 drop boxes. Additionally, there could be costs for the Department of State to create, maintain, and make available a map designating the location of each drop box in the State. The costs should be minimal and absorbable within annual appropriations.

Date Completed:  6-14-23                                              Fiscal Analyst:  Joe Carrasco, Jr.

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.