CHALLENGE BALLOTS; MODIFY H.B. 4567 (H-2):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
House Bill 4567 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Penelope Tsernoglou
Senate Committee: Elections and Ethics
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to delete a provision requiring an individual's ballot to be prepared as a challenged ballot if the applicant registered to vote in person within 14 days before an election and, at the time of registration, used a form of identification and proof of residency that was not a State issued license or identification card.
BRIEF RATIONALE
To issue a challenged ballot as required under current Law, a clerk must make a written report containing the election disparities or infractions believed to have occurred, the name of the individual making the challenge, the time of the challenge, and the name, contact information, and address of the individual whose ballot is challenged. According to testimony before the Senate Committee on Elections and Ethics, this process may frighten and confuse registrants; it also contributes to additional wait times as long as 10 to 15 minutes per challenged voter as clerks explain and write up challenge reports. During the 14 days before an election and on election day, clerks are busy and may not have time to issue challenged ballots. Accordingly, it has been suggested that the requirement of an automatic challenge be removed.
Legislative Analyst: Abby Schneider
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 10-13-23 Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco, Jr.
Bobby Canell
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.