PREFERRED VOTING SYSTEM - S.B. 1279: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 1279 (as introduced 5-17-00)
Sponsor: Senator Bev Hammerstrom
Committee: Government Operations
Date Completed: 5-18-00
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to require local election clerks within each county to select a preferred voting system, that is, an electronic voting system, paper ballot, or mechanical lever machine.
The bill would require the Secretary of State to direct the county, city, and township clerks within each county to select a single preferred voting system for each county. County clerks would have to report to the Secretary of State the name and model of the preferred voting system for the county by March 1, 2001. Before that date, each county clerk would have to convene the city and township clerks within his or her county to determine the preferred voting system for the county. The selection would have to be made by a majority vote of the county, city, and township clerks. The clerks would have to consult with the legislative body of their respective local units before participating in the selection process.
Election jurisdictions would not be required to purchase a new voting system under the bill. After a preferred voting system was selected and reported to the Secretary of State, the county board of election commissioners would not be responsible for incurring the expense for ballots or other unique supplies for a voting system that was purchased after the report and that was not the preferred voting system. A county board of elections commissioners would have to continue to pay for ballots and unique supplies for voting systems that were not the preferred voting system, but that were purchased before the report to the Secretary of State.
By March 1, 2011, and at least every 10 years thereafter, each county clerk would have to convene the city and township clerks within his or her county to review the county preferred voting system and determine, by majority vote of the clerks, whether to continue with the current preferred voting system or select a new system. The clerks would have to consult with the legislative bodies of their respective local units before participating in the selection process.
A preferred voting system would have to be a mechanical lever voting machine, paper ballot, or an electronic voting system approved by the Board of State Canvassers. If a new county preferred voting system were selected and approved by the Board of State Canvassers, the county clerk would have to report the selection to the Secretary of State within 30 days of the selection.
MCL 168.667 - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
- Fiscal Analyst: E. LimbsS9900\s1279sa
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.