ELECTRONIC BALLOT IMPLEMENTATION; EXTEND S.B. 470:

SUMMARY OF BILL

REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Bill 470 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor: Senator Paul Wojno

Committee: Elections and Ethics

 


CONTENT

 

The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to extend, from January 1, 2024, to September 1, 2025, the date after which uniformed service voters on active duty and members of the merchant marine may electronically return voted ballots. It also would extend the date accordingly for the Secretary of State's (SOS) implementation of these electronic returns.

 

MCL 168.759a

 

BRIEF RATIONALE

 

Public Act 197 of 2022 required the SOS to promulgate rules for counting ballots submitted electronically by members of the uniformed services on active duty and members of the merchant marine who are absent from the United States. The Act authorized the SOS to develop a secure web portal to this end. According to testimony before the Senate Committee on Elections and Ethics, portal development and rules promulgation have been time-consuming. Additionally, the implementation of Proposal 22-2 has granted the SOS greater responsibilities that have stretched the Department's resources. Accordingly, it has been suggested that the SOS be given more time to implement the requirements of PA 197.

 

Legislative Analyst: Abby Schneider

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

 

Date Completed: 9-14-23 Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco, Jr.

 

 

 

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.