QUALIFIED VOTER FILE VERIFICATION                                                    H.B. 5646 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5646 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Representative Julie Calley

House Committee:  Elections and Ethics

Senate Committee:  Elections and Government Reform

CONTENT

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

-- Require the Secretary of State to develop and use a process for comparing the State's list of registered voters to the database of death records (Death Master File) kept by the U.S. Social Security Administration. 

-- Require the Secretary of State to participate in certain multistate voter registration verification programs or services.

The Law requires the Secretary of State to direct and supervise the establishment and maintenance of a statewide qualified voter file (QVF). The qualified voter file is the official file for the conduct of all elections held in Michigan.

The bill would require the Secretary of State to develop and use a process by which information obtained through the U.S. Social Security Administration's Death Master File that is used to cancel an operator's or chauffeur's license or an official State personal identification card of a deceased resident of Michigan also would be used at least once a month to update the QVF to cancel the voter registration of any elector determined to be deceased. The Secretary of State would have to make the canceled voter registration information available to the clerk of each city or township to assist with the clerk's obligations.

The bill also would require the Secretary of State to participate with other states in one or more recognized multistate programs or services, if available, to assist in the verification of the current residence and voter registration status of electors. The Secretary of State could not participate in any recognized multistate program or service that required the State to promote or adopt legislation as a condition of participation. In addition, the Secretary of State could not participate in any recognized multistate program or service if he or she determined that data of that program or service were not being adequately secured or protected.

MCL 168.509o                                                          Legislative Analyst:  Nathan Leaman

FISCAL IMPACT

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

Date Completed:  4-17-18                                                    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.