VOTER REGISTRATION: ID/3RD-PARTY ORG. S.B. 754 (S-2): FLOOR SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]




Senate Bill 754 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
Sponsor: Senator Mark C. Jansen
Committee: Local Government and Elections

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

-- Require a person who applied in person to register to vote to present a picture ID.
-- Require the application of a person who did not present a picture ID to be considered a mail registration application.
-- Allow a voter registration applicant to submit a mail registration application to a "third-party voter registration organization".
-- Require a third-party voter registration organization to register with the Department of State, and require the Department to maintain a database of registered organizations.
-- Require the Secretary of State (SOS) to develop a training program for third-party voter registration organizations, and require an organization to participate in the program before its agents could engage in voter registration activities.
-- Authorize a county clerk to conduct the training.
-- Require a third-party voter registration organization to ensure delivery of a voter registration application to the applicable clerk within 15 days after receiving it.
-- Require a third-party voter registration organization to transmit to the applicable clerk within one business day a registration the organization received within seven days before registration for a Federal election closed.

"Third-party voter registration organization" would mean a person, entity, or organization that distributes and collects voter registration applications by at least two individuals for delivery to the clerk of the county, city, or township where the applicant resides. The term would not include the SOS; a county, city, township, or village clerk or assistant clerk; a designated voter registration agency; or a person who registers voters or who collects applications as an employee or agent of any of those entities.


MCL 168.509v et al. Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT
There would be a minimal cost to the Department of State to maintain a database of registered third-party voter registration organizations. The number of these organizations is unknown; however, these costs should be absorbed by the Department's annual appropriations. Additionally, there would be some staffing costs associated with the requirement for the Secretary of State or a county clerk to develop or conduct a training program for third-party voter registration organizations. That cost estimate is currently unknown and is being determined by the Department of State.


Date Completed: 12-2-11 Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco

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. sb754/1112