OVERSEAS VOTERS: ABSENT BALLOT

BY ELECTRONIC MAIL

House Bill 5279

Sponsor:  Rep. Vincent Gregory

Committee:  Ethics and Elections

Complete to 10-12-09

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5279 AS INTRODUCED 8-26-09

House Bill 5279 would amend the Michigan Election Law to allow overseas voters to be sent their absent voter ballots by electronic mail.

The bill specifies that the Secretary of State may promulgate rules to do all of the following:

o                   Allow a county, city, village, or township clerk to transmit an absent voter ballot by electronic mail to an applicant who is a member of the armed service or an overseas voter, and who had provided an electronic mail address.

o                   Provide procedures for how an absent voter ballot transmitted by electronic mail to a member of the armed services or an overseas voters would be returned to the county city, village or township clerk.

MCL 168.759a

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 5279 would have an indeterminate, but likely negligible, fiscal impact on the Secretary of State.  Any fiscal impact would be associated with administrative costs in the promulgation of rules and procedures for electronic mail absentee ballots for members of the armed services or overseas voters.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Ben Gielczyk

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.