PROHIBIT ELECTION CHALLENGES FOR ELECTORS WITH RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IN FORECLOSURE

House Bill 6477

Sponsor:  Rep. Robert Dean

Committee:  Ethics and Elections

Complete to 9-22-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6477 AS INTRODUCED 9-18-08

House Bill 6477 would amend the Michigan Election Law to prohibit an election challenge for those electors whose residential property is in foreclosure, without additional supporting evidence proving that the elector does not meet residence requirements.

Currently under the law, an election inspector must challenge an applicant applying for a ballot if the inspector knows, or has good reason to suspect, that the applicant is not a qualified and registered elector of the precinct, or if a challenge appears in connection with the applicant's name in the registration book.  Further, any registered elector of the precinct present in the polling place can challenge the right of anyone attempting to vote, if the elector knows or has good reason to suspect that the individual is not a registered elector in that precinct.

House Bill 6477 would retain the provisions noted above.  In addition and under the bill, evidence that a mortgage of an applicant's residential property is in foreclosure would not be valid grounds for a challenge without additional supporting evidence which, standing on its own, proved that the applicant did not meet the residence requirements as set forth in Section 11 of the act.

 

MCL 168.727

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 6477 would have no fiscal impact on the State of Michigan or its local units of government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Viola Bay Wild

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.