Elections

Repeals provisions that prohibit counting straight party votes for candidates for election to an at-large district to which more than one person may be elected. Removes a provision requiring particular ballot placement when more than one candidate may be elected to an office. Provides that if a voter votes a straight party ticket and also selects one or more individual candidates for an office to which more than one person may be elected, the: (1) individual votes shall be counted unless the total number of individual votes is greater than the number of persons to be elected to the office; (2) straight party votes for the office shall not be counted; and (3) straight party votes for other offices on the ballot shall be counted. Makes conforming amendments. Specifies how a vote is counted with a straight ticket on a paper ballot.

Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate interim study committee the task of studying whether the county executive should implement certain processes with respect to establishing or revising districts.

Specifies a process by which certain counties may scan voted optical scan ballot cards during the early voting period and on election day without using secrecy envelopes. Makes conforming amendments. Reduces the period during which in person absentee voting may occur at the office of the circuit court clerk or a satellite office from 28 days to a 16 day period ending at noon on the day before election day.

Moves, as a general rule, elections of town officers to even-numbered years. Allows a town with a population of more than 10,000 to opt out of the general rule by resolution. Allows a city to pass a resolution to opt in to the general rule. Makes conforming changes.

Requires the circuit court clerk of each county to place a copy of each campaign finance report, notice, or other instrument filed with the county election board on the circuit court clerk's or county election board's website in portable document format. Allows certain covered persons to submit a written request to a county, municipality, or township to restrict access to the covered person's home address in a confidential document. Requires a county, municipality, or township to establish certain processes to prevent a member of the public from gaining access to the home address of a covered person.