ELECTRONIC VOTER REGISTRATION                                   S.B. 425, 426, 427, 428, & 429:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bills 425, 426, 427, 428, and 429 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Judy K. Emmons (S.B. 425)

               Senator Mike Nofs (S.B. 426)

               Senator Jim Stamas (S.B. 427)

               Senator Goeff Hansen (S.B. 428)

               Senator Dave Hildenbrand (S.B. 429)

Committee:  Elections and Government Reform

CONTENT

Senate Bill 425 would amend the Michigan Election Law to require the Secretary of State (SOS) to develop and maintain an electronic voter registration interface to allow an applicant to submit a voter registration application electronically through the SOS website. The bill also would do the following:

-- Require the SOS to develop an electronic voter registration application.

-- Provide that an individual would be eligible to submit an electronic application only if he or she possessed the qualifications of an elector under the Election Law and possessed a valid driver license or official State identification card. 

-- Prohibit an individual from using the interface if he or she had an expired driver license or State ID card, ordered a duplicate license or ID card on the same day he or she submitted an electronic voter application, or submitted a change of address within the previous 10 days.  

Senate Bills 426, 427, 428, and 429 would amend the Michigan Election Law to reflect changes proposed by Senate Bill 425.

Proposed MCL 168.509ii (S.B. 425)                              Legislative Analyst:  Nathan Leaman

MCL 168.509m (S.B. 426)

       168.509v (S.B. 427)

       168.509t (S.B. 428)

       168.509x (S.B. 429)

FISCAL IMPACT

Senate Bill 425 could have a minimal fiscal impact on the Department of State due to programming costs associated with the proposed changes. However, the Department has indicated that its annual appropriations should be able to absorb any additional costs. The Department's FY 2017-18 budget includes $14.1 million for the Department to complete its information technology modernization project. Any costs associated with the bill would be funded from this appropriation.

The bill would have no fiscal impact on local government.

Senate Bills 426 through 429 would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  3-9-18                                                     Fiscal Analyst:  Joe Carrasco

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.