LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL ELECTIONS                                                   H.B. 4996:

                                                                                         SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                         REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4996 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Andrea K. Schroeder

House Committee:  Elections and Ethics

Senate Committee:  Elections

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to require the Governor to announce the date to fill a vacancy in the Michigan Senate or House of Representatives within 30 days after the vacancy occurred.

The Law specifies that if a vacancy occurs in the office of Senator or Representative in the Michigan Legislature, the Governor may call a special election in that senatorial or representative district, as provided in Section 634. Under the bill, if a vacancy occurred in the office of Senator or Representative, the Governor would have to call a special election in that senatorial or representative district or direct that the vacancy be filled at the next general election, as provided in Section 634.

Under Section 634, except as otherwise provided, if a vacancy occurs in the office of Senator or Representative in the Legislature, the Governor may call a special election in that senatorial or representative district or direct that the vacancy be filled at the next general election. The bill would require the Governor to call the special election or direct that the vacancy be filled at the next general election.

Also, under the bill, within 30 days after the vacancy occurred in the office of Senator or Representative in the Legislature, the Governor would have to do either of the following:

-- Announce the date of the special election at which the vacancy in that senatorial or representative district would be filled.

-- Announce that the vacancy in that senatorial or representative district would be filled by the next general election.

MCL 168.178 & 168.634                         Legislative Analyst:  Stephen P. Jackson

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would not have a fiscal impact on State government but would have an additional cost for local governments if a special election were held on a date other than a general election. The cost for a local government to hold an election averages an estimated $2,200 per precinct to cover costs for that election. The total cost for a local government is indeterminate and would depend on the number of precincts in the affected municipalities holding that special election.

Date Completed:  5-27-22                                 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.