September 24, 2008, Introduced by Senators GLEASON and McMANUS and referred to the Committee on Campaign and Election Oversight.
A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled
"Michigan election law,"
(MCL 168.1 to 168.992) by adding section 473a.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 473a. (1) Before the supporters of a ballot question
petition proposing a constitutional amendment, initiation of
legislation, or referendum of legislation circulate the ballot
question petition for signatures, the supporters of the ballot
question petition shall submit the proposed ballot question
petition to the secretary of state.
(2) Upon receipt of the proposed ballot question petition, the
secretary of state shall forward the proposed ballot question
petition to the board of state canvassers.
(3) Within 30 days after receipt of proposed ballot question
petition from the secretary of state as provided in subsection (2),
the board of state canvassers shall meet and approve or deny the
proposed ballot question petition. In determining whether to
approve or deny the proposed ballot question petition, the board of
state canvassers shall consider whether the proposed ballot
question petition is of sufficient clarity to clearly identify the
purpose of the proposed constitutional amendment, initiative, or
referendum.
(4) If the board of state canvassers fails to approve or deny
the proposed ballot question petition within the time required by
subsection (3), the proposed ballot question petition is considered
approved as submitted.
(5) If the board of state canvassers denies the proposed
ballot question petition, the board of state canvassers shall
notify the supporters of the ballot question petition of the denial
and the reason for the denial. This subsection does not prohibit a
person from resubmitting a proposed ballot question petition to the
board of state canvassers for review and approval under this
section.