MAXIMUM PRECINCT SIZE; REDUCE S.B. 572 & 573:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 572 & 573 (as introduced 10-10-23) (enacted version)
Committee: Committee of the Whole
CONTENT
Senate Bills 572 and 573 would amend the Michigan Election Law to decrease, from 5,000 active registered electors to 4,999, the maximum size of an election precinct.
Senate Bill 572
Currently, if a city, ward, township, or village is divided into two or more election precincts but, upon an examination of the precinct registration records, it appears that there are not more than 5,000 active registered electors, the election commission may abolish the divisions and unite the city, ward, township, or village as a single election precinct. The bill would modify this provision to allow the unification of voting precincts with fewer than 4,999 active registered electors. A consolidation must occur at least 120 days before a primary or election.
Senate Bill 573
Currently, city and township election commissions must divide precincts in the second year following each Federal decennial census, at least 120 days before the primary election preceding the next general November election. A district may not exceed 5,000 registered electors. Under the bill, it could not exceed 4,999 electors.
MCL 168.658 (S.B. 572) Legislative Analyst: Abby Schneider
168.661 (S.B. 573)
FISCAL IMPACT
Senate Bill 572 would have no fiscal impact on the State. It may have a minor fiscally negative impact on local governments in the unlikely case that there were exactly 5,000 actively registered voters instead of 4,999 in a city, ward, township, or village with multiple precincts by being unable to consolidate into one voting precinct.
Senate Bill 573 would have no fiscal impact on the State or local governments.
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.