ABSENT VOTER COUNTING BOARDS                                                     H.B. 5141 (H-2):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5141 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Julie Calley

House Committee:  Elections and Ethics

                             Ways and Means

Senate Committee:  Elections and Government Reform

CONTENT

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

-- Allow the clerk of a city or township, at least 75 days before an election, to enter into an agreement with another clerk of a city or township, multiple clerks, or a county clerk, to establish an absent voter (AV) counting board.

-- Prohibit an AV counting board established under the bill from being used for the first time during a general November election.

-- Require the Michigan Bureau of Election to develop model language for AV counting board agreements and procedures for implementing the bill.

-- Require the clerk of a city or township to file any agreement with the county clerk no later than 74 days before an election.

-- Prescribe procedures for terminating an agreement.

-- Require an absentee ballot received after 4 PM on the day before an election to be delivered to the elector's voting precinct on election day.

MCL 168.765 et al.                                                       Legislative Analyst:  Dana Adams

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would not have a significant fiscal impact on State government. It would add county and combined absent voter counting boards to the list of boards for which the Secretary of State would have to develop and distribute appropriate instructions. However, these activities likely would be funded by existing appropriations.

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on local units of government. Some local units could experience cost savings by using equipment or staff paid for by other clerks or clerk's offices. Units that received payment in exchange for performing certain duties on behalf of other units could experience an increase in revenue. However, this revenue could be offset by the increased workload and required investment in staff or resources. The magnitude of the impact would depend on the number of agreements made and their specific content.

Date Completed:  3-16-20                                        Fiscal Analyst:  Elizabeth Raczkowski

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.