Elections and Ethics

This bill requires individuals who collect signatures for political petitions in Michigan to be paid an hourly wage instead of a flat fee per signature. The law applies to petitions for candidates, ballot measures, and recall elections, prohibiting any compensation based on the number of signatures gathered. By mandating hourly pay, the legislation aims to standardize how petition circulators are compensated across different types of electoral processes.

This bill updates Michigan election laws to standardize the format and content of petitions used for constitutional amendments, legislation, and candidate nominations. It mandates specific layout requirements, such as bold headings and standardized warnings, while also requiring petition circulators to clearly indicate whether they are paid or volunteers. Additionally, the bill clarifies the counting process by specifying that only the first valid signature from any individual will be counted if a duplicate appears on a petition. These changes aim to streamline the petitioning process and ensure consistency across different types of election filings.

This bill requires petition circulators in Michigan to either show voters where the summary of a proposed measure is located or read that summary aloud before collecting a signature. The law directly affects individuals gathering signatures for ballot initiatives and the sponsors of those petitions. If a circulator fails to follow this rule, the petition sponsor faces a civil penalty of up to $1,500 or $50 for each violation, whichever amount is higher. This change aims to ensure voters are informed about the purpose of a measure before they sign a petition.

SB 1068 updates Michigan election laws to clarify how voter registration records are managed and how election challenges are handled. The bill requires clerks to send notices to voters who may have moved, giving them a specific window to update their address or vote in their former precinct. It also establishes an inactive voter file for individuals who do not vote for six consecutive years or fail to respond to address confirmation notices, while ensuring they remain eligible to vote. Additionally, the legislation modifies procedures for challenging voter registration and clarifies how absent voter ballots must be marked when a voter's record is in the inactive file. These changes directly affect county clerks, election officials, and registered voters across the state.

This bill modifies Michigan election laws to expand voting access for older adults and individuals with disabilities by establishing a curbside voting option. Under the new provisions, eligible voters can request to cast their ballots from their vehicles without needing to disclose their age, disability status, or the reason for their request. Election inspectors would verify the voter's registration and allow them to mark and return their ballot in a designated area within 200 feet of the polling place entrance. Additionally, the legislation permits nonprofit organizations to provide transportation to polling locations and allows individuals to offer food, warmth, or other necessities to voters waiting in line.