CONSOLIDATION OF ELECTION PRECINCTS

House Bill 4068

Sponsor:  Rep. Henry Yanez

Committee:  Elections

Complete to 2-10-15

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4068 would amend the Michigan Election Law to allow the consolidation of election precincts during certain statewide elections.

Now under the law, local election commissioners may, by passing a resolution, consolidate the election precincts for a particular election, but not if that election is the November general election or its primary, or other statewide or federal elections.  House Bill 4068 would retain this provision, but modify it to remove "other statewide" elections.

BACKGROUND:

Michigan Election Law allows election commissioners in counties, cities, wards, townships, villages, metropolitan districts, or school districts to consolidate election precincts after taking into consideration the (1) number of voter choices, (2) the percentage of registered voters who voted in the last similar election, and (3) the intensity of interest in the coming election.   However, the law prohibits consolidated precincts having more than 5,000 active voters.  Further, the consolidation of precincts must be done at least 60 days before the election, and unless the polling places of the consolidated precincts are located in the same building, then notice must be mailed to or posted for voters.

MCL 168.659

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have an indeterminate yet potential positive fiscal impact on state and local governments. Local municipalities could reduce their costs for a statewide election if they decided to consolidate election precincts. This would also impact the state, which does reimburse local governments the costs involved in certain types of elections (i.e. presidential primaries, statewide ballot initiatives). The actual potential fiscal impact involved cannot be calculated, since it is unknown how many precincts would be consolidated in upcoming statewide elections and how much would be saved in reduced costs as a result of those consolidations.

                                                                                        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.