TEMPORARY MODIFICATION OF

CITY ELECTION FILING DEADLINE

House Bill 4589 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Sheldon A. Neeley

Committee:  Elections

Complete to 5-19-15

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4589 would amend the Michigan Election Law to allow a city clerk to adjust the nominating petition filing deadline of candidates for city offices in a case where candidates were notified of the wrong filing deadline by a city clerk.  A more detailed description of the bill follows.

The bill specifies that until December 31, 2015, the nominating petition filing deadline for candidates running for city offices may be adjusted, if all of the following occurred:

o   The city clerk published a nominating petition filing deadline that was different than the 15th Tuesday before the odd year primary election, and that the filing deadline published was between the 15th Tuesday and the 12th Tuesday;

o   The city clerk did not publicly correct the filing deadline error at least two weeks before the 15th Tuesday; and

o   One or more candidates for city office relied upon the incorrect filing deadline, and failed to file by the 15th Tuesday before the election.

Under the bill, if the Bureau of Elections (located within the Michigan Department of State) confirms all of the conditions noted above, then the bureau may authorize the city clerk to adjust the nominating petition filing deadline for that odd year primary election from the 15th Tuesday to the incorrectly published filing deadline.

MCL 168.644f

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would not have a fiscal impact on state or local government.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Perry Zielak

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.