ELECTIONS: VOTER REGISTRATION TRANSFER
House Bill 4307 (Substitute H-1, as adopted by committee)
Sponsor: Rep. Andy Schor
Committee: Elections
Complete to 11-2-15
SUMMARY:
House Bill 4307 (H-1) would amend the Michigan Election Law to ease the transfer of a voter's registration when a voter relocates within Michigan, to better ensure the ability to vote is not cancelled.
The bill would go into effect 90 days after it was enacted into law. A more detailed description of the bill follows.
Now under the law, a registered voter who moves to another Michigan jurisdiction less than 60 days before an election can continue to vote at the place of last registration upon signing an affidavit stating that the move has taken place. House Bill 4307 (H-1) would retain this provision.
In addition, House Bill 4307 (H-1) requires that within 10 days after receiving the form containing the affidavit (see above), the city or township clerk forward a copy of the signed form to the Department of State, which would, in turn, transfer the elector's voter registration to the new city or township where the elector had moved, effective the day after the election.
Now under the law, a city or township clerk is authorized to cancel a voter's registration when the affidavit form is signed. House Bill 4307 (H-1) would, instead, authorize the clerk to transfer (rather than cancel) the elector's registration.
Now under the law, an elector who changes his voter registration is permitted to vote either in person or by absentee. House Bill 4307 (H-1) would retain this provision.
Repealer. The bill would repeal Section 507b of the Michigan Election Law. This section of the law, shown below, is now obsolete and refers to a section of law repealed in 1995 (Section 509e).
MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW (EXCERPT)
Act 116 of 1954
168.507b Moving to another township or city; registration after close of registration and voting; conditions; voting at office of clerk or by absentee ballot; effective date.
Sec. 507b.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a registered and qualified elector who has moved from the township or city of a county in which the elector is registered to another township or city within the same county after the sixtieth day before an election and who has not registered in that township or city by the close of registration for an election shall be permitted to register after the close of registration and to vote at the election if all of the following occur:
(a) The elector applies for registration in person and executes the registration affidavit before the clerk or the clerk's agent of the township or city in which the elector resides.
(b) The elector provides proof of identification sufficient to satisfy the township or city clerk as to the identity and residence of the elector.
(c) The township or city clerk determines to his or her satisfaction that the elector is presently registered in another township or city of the same county.
(2) At the discretion of the township or city clerk, an elector meeting the requirements under subsection (1) shall vote at the office of the clerk on or before election day or at the election precinct in which the elector resides on election day. If the elector is required to vote at the office of the clerk, the elector may vote by absentee ballot.
(3) This section shall take effect January 1, 1994 or the date when a county implements the county file as the official file pursuant to section 509e, whichever is later.
History: Add. 1989, Act 142, Eff. Jan. 1, 1994
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 4307 would have no significant fiscal impact for state and local governments. The cost associated with city or township clerks forwarding and receiving the affidavit forms should be minimal and covered under current funding levels.
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.