HB 4720 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Elections: voting equipment; use of electronic voting systems that contain certain parts or equipment; prohibit. Amends secs. 795 & 795a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.795 & 168.795a).

HB 4720 prohibits Michigan jurisdictions from using electronic voting systems containing parts or equipment from foreign entities listed by the FCC under federal law, effective January 1, 2026. This directly affects election officials and voting equipment vendors who must ensure their systems comply with this ban. The bill amends existing requirements to maintain paper ballots, accessibility standards, audit trails, and other voting system safeguards under Michigan's election law (MCL 168.795). It does not change current voting procedures but adds a new security-related restriction on equipment sourcing.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Governor

Introduced Jul 1, 2025 Last action Apr 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute (H-1) → Substitute (H-1) - 2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The document was updated to replace the original legislative bill text with a substitute version (H-1), which introduces stricter regulations on electronic voting systems. The new text mandates that voting machines must use paper ballots, reject ballots with too many votes or votes for multiple parties, and prohibit the use of specific communication equipment from entities on the FCC's watchlist.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include specific prohibitions on certain communication equipment within voting systems and detailed requirements for ballot rejection and accessibility features.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated use of paper ballots for tabulating votes in electronic systems.

Required electronic tabulating equipment to automatically reject ballots with too many votes, no valid votes, or votes for candidates from more than one political party.

Prohibited electronic voting systems from including parts or equipment produced by entities listed on the FCC's website as having covered communications equipment or services.

Required electronic voting systems to provide an audit trail and accommodate the needs of elderly voters and individuals with disabilities.

Floor votes · House Apr 14, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 16, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

upper

Apr 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

upper

Apr 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #106 Yeas 63 Nays 41 Excused 0 Not Voting 6

lower

Apr 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

substitute (H-1) adopted

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

referred to second reading

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation with substitute (H-1)

lower

Dec 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

recommendation concurred in

lower

Dec 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation for referral to Committee on Rules with substitute (H-1)

lower

Jul 1, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Election Integrity

lower

Jul 1, 2025

Introduced

introduced by Representative Rep. Rachelle Smit

lower

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors