COUNTY COMMISSIONER VACANCIES
& SPECIAL ELECTIONS
House Bill 4307
Sponsor: Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons
Committee: Elections and Ethics
Complete to 2-26-13
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4307 AS INTRODUCED 2-21-13
House Bill 4307 would amend Public Act 261 of 1966 (MCL 46.412), which prescribes the manner of election for county boards of commissioners. It would eliminate the requirement for a special election when a vacancy occurs in the office of county commissioner during an odd-numbered year.
Currently, if a vacancy occurs in an odd-numbered year, the vacancy is filled by appointment and the individual appointed serves until a special election can be held. A vacancy that occurs in an election year (an even-numbered year) is filled by appointment and the individual appointed serves for the remainder of the unexpired term. The act requires a vacancy to be filled within 30 days.
(County commissioners are elected in even-numbered years to a two-year term of office.)
Instead, under the bill, an individual appointed to fill a vacancy by a county board of commissioners would serve for the remainder of the unexpired term regardless of whether the vacancy occurs in an odd-numbered or even-numbered year. However, if the county board of commissioners did not fill a vacancy within 30 days, then that vacancy would be have to be filled by a special election called by the board, and the individual elected at the special election would serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
The bill would have no direct impact on state or local revenue. Eliminating special elections to fill an opening may reduce local costs, although any savings could be small.
Legislative Analyst: J. Hunault
Fiscal Analyst: Jim Stansell
■ 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.