July 23, 2004
July 23, 2004
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed House Bill 5482, authorizing cities, villages, and townships to appoint local election receiving boards to receive and securely transmit ballots following an election.
In signing House Bill 5482, Governor Granholm indicated that she will continue to urge the Legislature to address more fundamental election reform issues, including the enactment of explicit prohibitions against voter intimidation and the repeal of obsolete and overly bureaucratic restrictions on the right to vote by absentee ballot. Removing restrictions on absentee voting, for example, would increase voter participation and would relieve local election officials from having to police the reasons voters currently are allowed to obtain absentee ballots.
“Michigan must set its sights higher and be a leader in election reform,” Granholm said. “As elected officials, we cannot obstruct common sense reforms or ignore activities aimed at suppressing voter turnout. We must do more to encourage increased voter participation and truly help all Americans vote.”
The receiving boards established under the new law will consist of two or more election inspectors, with an equal number from each major political party. Local election receiving boards will be responsible for:
• verifying that ballot containers are properly sealed, numbered and recorded;
• determining that the number of individuals voting recorded in the poll book for a precinct equals the number of ballots issued in the precinct, according to the statement of election returns for the precinct;
• securing poll books and statements of returns in a sealed envelope for transmission from the polling place to the local clerk; and
• documenting any necessary corrective action taken by election inspectors at the polling place.
“As Governor, I am committed to protecting the voting rights of all Michigan citizens and doing everything possible to assure that Michigan is a leader in election reform and fair elections,” said Granholm. “The new impartial and uniform procedures and recordkeeping requirements under this legislation will help give local election officials new tools to run efficient and fair elections and help ensure that that every Michigan vote counts.”
House Bill 5482 is also intended to reduce a number of technicalities, such as the failure to record seal numbers or improper recording of seal numbers that have prevented recounting of votes in close elections in the past.
Governor Granholm also signed several bills improving Michigan election laws to facilitate consolidated elections including:
• House Bill 5990 which prohibits a school district election coordinator from delegating his or her duties to any person who is not a city or township clerk.
• House Bill 5991 which permits a city or township clerk, with the consent of a school district election coordinator, to use school election precincts and polling places; and would permit them the ability to consolidate precincts.
• House Bill 5992 which requires that within five business days after the certification of an election each member-elect of a school board be notified of the election results.
• House Bill 5993 which provides that within three days of filling a vacancy on a school board that the board secretary notify in writing the school election coordinator of the name and address of the person vacating the office and the person filling the vacancy.
• House Bill 5995 which specifies that filing for election to a village office must take place with the township clerk. If the village covers more than one township, the filing must take place in the township in which the larger number of registered voters resides.
• House Bill 5996 which requires a township clerk to transfer the information necessary to complete the village registration to the village clerk.
• House Bill 5997 which clarifies various matters regarding the scheduling of elections.
• House Bill 5998 which clarifies language in state election laws relating to the term of office when an election date is changed.
• House Bill 5999 which includes villages as local units of government whose officials may select their election date.
• House Bill 6000 which clarifies language in current Michigan laws about ballot questions and the election of state officers.
• House Bill 6001 which clarifies laws regarding the consolidation of precincts.
• House Bill 6002 which specifies the position of village officers on a nonpartisan ballot.
• House Bill 6003 which clarifies where a candidate files when wishing to replace a recalled member of a school board.
• House Bill 6004 which provides home rule village officials the means to hold their own regular or special elections.
• House Bill 6005 which provides for elections in general law villages.
