PROOF COPIES OF BALLOTS                                                    H.B. 5258 (H-1):

                                                                                         SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                         REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5258 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Matt Koleszar

House Committee:  Elections and Ethics

Senate Committee:  Elections

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to do the following:

-- Require proof copies of a ballot to be placed on file in the office of the county clerk no less than 58 days before an election, instead of 14 days before the primary election or 15 days before any election.

-- Require a county clerk to mail a copy by first-class mail to each candidate who appears on the ballot and, for primary elections, email a proof copy of the ballot to the Secretary of State (SOS).

-- Require a candidate to email or call a county clerk to correct an error on a proof ballot by 4 PM on the fifth business day after a proof copy of a ballot was mailed to each candidate.

-- Authorize the county clerk to start printing ballots after 4 PM on the fifth business day after the county clerk mailed the proof copy of the ballot to each candidate.

-- Require a county clerk to email a copy of the corrected ballot to the SOS.

MCL 168.565 et al.                                 Legislative Analyst:  Stephen P. Jackson

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State government but could result in a small cost savings for Wayne County, as it is the only county with a population of over 1.5 million and would be the only county affected by the bill.

The amount of savings for the county would vary and would depend on the number of candidates on a ballot. Current United States Postal Service rates are $7.38 for a one-ounce certified mail parcel with a return receipt requested. There were nearly 350 candidates for Federal, State, and local offices to whom Wayne County mailed a 2020 general election proof ballot via certified mail with a return receipt requested. Based on those figures and the current postage rates, the county would have saved an estimated $2,600 for that election. Future savings per election cycle would depend on the number of candidates on the ballot and the mailing costs at that time.

Date Completed:  3-25-22                                 Fiscal Analyst:  Joe Carrasco, Jr.

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.