ELECTIONS:  INCREASE DEPOSIT

FOR RECOUNTED PRECINCTS

House Bill 4833

Sponsor:  Rep. Kurt Heise

Committee:  Elections and Ethics

Complete to 6-18-13

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4833 AS INTRODUCED 6-13-13

House Bill 4833 would amend the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.867 and 168.881) to increase from $10 to $25 the per precinct deposit required to initiate a recount of the votes cast in those precincts in a state or local election. 

Further, the bill would require a $125 per precinct deposit if the election winner and loser (as determined by the official canvass of votes) were separated by more than 50 votes or 0.5 percent of the total number of votes cast, whichever was greater. 

The proposed deposit fees would apply to petitioners seeking recounts of both local and state elections, including partisan elections, non-partisan elections, and votes on ballot proposals.

Under the bill, the petitioner seeking the recount would deposit the fee (accompanied by a petition) with the appropriate elections clerk (for local elections), or with the State Bureau of Elections (for state elections).  If the precinct referred to in the petition was determined "not recountable," or was not recounted because the petition was withdrawn, then the money deposited for the recount would be refunded to the petitioner.  However, if a petition were withdrawn after the votes cast in a precinct had been recounted, then the deposit would not be refunded.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4833 would have a fiscal impact on the state and local units of government to the extent that the deposits increased by HB 4833 would generate additional revenue. The Department of State does not collect data on the number of petitions for recounts of local elections; however, it may be assumed that the number is marginal.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Paul Holland

■ 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.