ELIMINATE FEBRUARY

REGULAR ELECTION DATE

House Bill 4270 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Bradford C. Jacobsen 

House Bills 4271 & 4276 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons 

House Bill 4272 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Dan Lauwers 

House Bill 4273 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Kurt Heise 

House Bill 4274 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Klint Kesto 

House Bill 4275 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Erik Leutheuser

Committee:  Elections

Complete to 3-10-15

SUMMARY:

The seven bills would amend various sections of the Michigan Election Law to eliminate Michigan's regular February election date. 

Currently under the consolidated election law, Michigan has four days during the year on which elections can occur, as follows:

o   The February regular election date (the fourth Tuesday in February)

o   The May regular election date (the first Tuesday after the first Monday)

o   The August regular election date (the first Tuesday after the first Monday)

o   The November regular election date (the first Tuesday after the first Monday)

These bills would reduce the number of Michigan regular election dates during the year from four to three, by eliminating the February election date.

The bills are tie-barred so that none could go into effect unless all are enacted into law.  They would take effect 90 days after their enactment.

            A more detailed description of each bill follows.

House Bill 4273 would amend the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.641) to eliminate the provision that establishes a February regular election date as the fourth Tuesday in February.  In addition, the bill would remove an out-of-date provision that required the secretary of state to report to the House and Senate by December 1, 2006, the number of special elections held by school districts.

House Bill 4270 would amend the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.642a) to eliminate the provision that allows city elections on the regular May election date.

House Bill 4271 would amend the Michigan Election Law (168.570a) to eliminate references to township elections having a February primary and April general election.

House Bill 4272 would amend the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.642) to eliminate references to city elections having a February primary and May general election.

House Bill 4275 would amend the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.322) to repeal Section 322 of the law.  Section 322 concerns city council primary elections held in February, followed by city council general elections held in May.  The section of the law—all of which would be repealed—reads as follows:

House Bill 4276 would amend the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.963) to set recall elections for the next May regular election date or the next August regular election date, whichever occurs first, after a recall petition is properly filed.  Currently under the law, a recall election is scheduled at the next February or August election.  Under the bill, the February date would be eliminated

Finally, House Bill 4274 would amend another provision of the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.970e) to require that recall elections be held at a May regular election date, and eliminate the reference to a February regular election date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There would be no significant fiscal impact to the state. The Department of State does not expect to see any savings or cost increases as a result of the bills. In addition, the fiscal impact to local governments is indeterminate. There are too many unknown variables to quantify any potential cost savings or increases that local government could realize with elimination of the February election date.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Perry Zielak

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