S.B. 201: REVISED COMMITTEE SUMMARY

BALLOT MARKINGS - S.B. 201: REVISED COMMITTEE SUMMARY

Senate Bill 201 (as introduced 2-2-99)

Date Completed: 2-23-99

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to specify that, in the counting or recounting of votes at an election, "...a marking that fills in the circle or square is valid".

Currently, the Election Law prescribes what marks on a ballot are considered valid or invalid. A cross, whose intersection is within or on the line of the proper circle or square, or a check mark, whose angle is within a circle or square, is valid. Crosses or check marks otherwise located on a ballot are void. The bill provides that "fill-in marks" otherwise located on a ballot also would be void. Further, currently marks other than crosses or check marks used to designate the intention of the voter must not be counted. The bill provides that marks other than crosses, check marks, or fill-in marks used to designate the intention of the voter could not be counted.

Currently, a vote must not be counted for any candidate unless a cross or a check mark has been placed by the voter in the circle at the head of the party ticket (if any) on which the name of the candidate has been printed, written, or placed, or unless a cross or a check mark has been placed in the square before the space in which the name of the candidate has been printed, written, or placed. The bill would allow a fill-in mark to be placed in the circle at the head of the party ticket or in the square before the space in which the name of the candidate had been printed, written, or placed.

MCL 168.803 - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne

FISCAL IMPACT

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

- Fiscal Analyst: E. LimbsS9900\s201sa

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.