October 22, 2013, Introduced by Reps. Cavanagh, Santana, Robinson, Faris, Hobbs, Smiley, Brown, Dillon, Potvin, Bumstead, Singh, Lori, Geiss, Slavens, Hovey-Wright and Knezek and referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics.
A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled
"Michigan election law,"
by amending section 163 (MCL 168.163), as amended by 2012 PA 276.
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. Until December 31, 2013, 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 before the August primary. Beginning
January 1, 2014, 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 fifteenth Tuesday before the
August primary.
(2) 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.
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.