TOWNSHIP SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS - S.B. 486: FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 486 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor: Senator Loren N. Bennett

Committee: Government Operations

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Charter Township Act to eliminate certain signature requirements regarding the printing of a name on the ballot for a charter township office at a primary election.

Currently, under the Act, to get the name of a political party candidate for a charter township office under the party heading on the official primary election ballot, nomination petitions must be filed with the township clerk; the number of signatures of registered and qualified voters on the petitions must be equal to at least 1%, but no more than 4%, of the total number of votes cast for the office of supervisor in the township in the last election. The bill would eliminate these provisions.

The bill would retain a current requirement that a primary election be conducted, "as near as may be", pursuant to the Michigan Election Law. (Section 349 of the Election Law provides that to get the name of a political party candidate for a charter township office under the party heading on the official primary election ballot, nomination petitions must be filed with the township clerk; the number of signatures of registered and qualified voters on the petitions must be equal to at least 1%, but no more than 2%, of the total number of votes cast for the office of Secretary of State at the last general November election in which a Secretary of State was elected.)

MCL 42.4 - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne

FISCAL IMPACT

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

Date Completed: 11-20-97 - Fiscal Analyst: E. Limbs

floor\sb486

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.