History and Duties

History and Duties

The Board of State Canvassers was created by the State Constitution of 1850. Over the years, the structure of the board has changed. Currently, the Board is composed of four members who are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Two board members are selected from each of the two political parties receiving the greatest number of votes in the last election for Secretary of State. Board members serve four-year terms. The terms are staggered so that the term of a Republican seat and the term of a Democratic seat expire in February of each odd-numbered year.

The duties of the Board of State Canvassers include:

  • Canvassing and certifying statewide elections, elections for legislative districts that cross county lines and all judicial offices except Judge of the Probate Court.
  • Conducting recounts for state-level offices.
  • Canvassing nominating petitions filed with the Secretary of State.
  • Canvassing state-level ballot proposal petitions.
  • Assigning ballot designations and adopting ballot language for statewide ballot proposals.
  • Approving electronic voting systems for use in the state.