Act No. 96

Public Acts of 2004

Approved by the Governor

May7,2004

Filed with the Secretary of State

May7,2004

EFFECTIVE DATE: May7,2004

STATE OF MICHIGAN

92ND LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2004

Introduced by Senators Brown, Cherry, Olshove, Goschka, Clarke, Stamas, Sanborn, Kuipers, Switalski, Cassis, Basham and Garcia

ENROLLED SENATE BILL No. 350

AN ACT to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled "An act to reorganize, consolidate, and add to the election laws; to provide for election officials and prescribe their powers and duties; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, state agencies, and state and local officials and employees; to provide for the nomination and election of candidates for public office; to provide for the resignation, removal, and recall of certain public officers; to provide for the filling of vacancies in public office; to provide for and regulate primaries and elections; to provide for the purity of elections; to guard against the abuse of the elective franchise; to define violations of this act; to provide appropriations; to prescribe penalties and provide remedies; and to repeal certain acts and all other acts inconsistent with this act," by amending sections 666 and 668 (MCL 168.666 and 168.668) and by adding section 668a.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 666. At each federal, state, district, or county primary or election, the secretary of state shall furnish to each county clerk at state expense the following items:

(a) Before each primary, general, or special election at which state, district, or county officers are to be nominated or elected, a supply of self-sealing metal seals adapted and suitable for sealing the ballot boxes used at the election. The metal seals shall have the words "State of Michigan" and serial numbers stamped on them. The secretary of state shall provide a sufficient number of metal seals for each voting precinct within the county at least 30 days before an election.

(b) A substantial supply of red gummed paper seals for use of the precinct boards of election inspectors in sealing the package of ballots and the envelopes containing the tally sheets or poll books and the statement of returns. Each seal shall have inscribed on it the words "Election Seal--State of Michigan" and the date of the primary or election at which it is to be used. A space shall also be provided on the seal in which 2 members of the board of election inspectors shall write their initials after the seal has been applied.

(c) Suitable blank forms for use by the county boards of canvassers in making returns of the canvass required by this act. Each county board of canvassers shall use the forms furnished by the secretary of state in making returns of the canvass.

Sec. 668. Before the polls open, the city, township, or village clerk shall deliver to the board of election inspectors of each precinct the voter registration list, the forms for poll lists and returns, and any other supplies necessary to conduct the election.

Sec. 668a. (1) The secretary of state shall furnish to each county clerk at state expense for each precinct 2 voter information displays that contain in not less than 18-point type the following information:

(a) The hours that the polls will be open.

(b) Voting instructions.

(c) Information on an individual's right to obtain a provisional ballot and instructions on how to vote a provisional ballot.

(d) Information on the identification requirements that apply to voters who register by mail.

(e) Instructions on how to contact the appropriate election official about alleged voting rights violations.

(f) Information on the federal and state laws that prohibit fraud and misrepresentation.

(g) Information on how to challenge another voter as unqualified to vote.

(h) Other information that the secretary of state considers necessary.

(2) Upon receipt of the voter information displays under subsection (1), each county clerk shall provide to each city, township, or village clerk, as designated by the secretary of state, 2 voter information displays for each precinct in the county.

(3) The city, township, or village clerk shall provide to each precinct 2 voter information displays and an instruction ballot for display at each precinct.

(4) Before the polls open on election day, the board of election inspectors in each precinct shall post in conspicuous places in the polling place the voter information displays and instruction ballot required under this section.

(5) If requested by an elector, the city, township, or village clerk shall have available a means to provide the information contained in the voter information displays in an alternative format, as prescribed by the secretary of state.

This act is ordered to take immediate effect.

Secretary of the Senate

Clerk of the House of Representatives

Approved

Governor