Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
INCREASE ALLOWABLE PRECINCT SIZE
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 4702 as reported from committee Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Committee: Elections
Complete to 6-13-23
(Enacted as Public Act 88 of 2023)
SUMMARY:
House Bill 4702 would amend the Michigan Election Law to increase the maximum number
of electors allowed in a precinct from 2,999 to 5,000.
In determining the number of registered voters in a precinct, a local election commissioner or
the secretary of state can currently use either the number of active registered electors for the
city or township or both the active registered electors and the electors in the inactive voter file.
Under House Bill 4702, only active registered voters could be used for this determination.
The bill would also allow precincts that are currently divided to have the division abolished as
long as it appears, from an examination of registration records, that the consolidated district
would not exceed 5,000 active registered electors.
Finally, the bill would remove outdated requirements as to the number of voting machines
required in precincts.
MCL 168.658 and 168.661
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 4134 would have no direct fiscal impact on the Department of State but would
provide for potential cost savings to certain cities, wards, townships, or villages that are eligible
to consolidate precincts without having over 5,000 registered electors. These local units of
government could realize savings by requiring fewer numbers of voting equipment and
resources, such as absentee voter counting board tabulators, to meet the election needs in that
precinct.
Currently, the average cost for an election for a local unit of government is an estimated $2,000
per precinct. If a local unit of government chose to consolidate its precincts, they could save
$2,000 for each precinct consolidated. The amount of savings is indeterminate and would
depend on the actual number of precincts consolidated.
POSITIONS:
Representatives of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks testified in support of the
bill. (6-8-23)
The following entities indicated support for the bill (6-8-23):
• American Association of University Women of Michigan
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 2
 • Detroit Regional Chamber
• Healthy Democracy Healthy People Michigan
• Michigan Democratic Party
• Michigan League of Conservation Voters
• Michigan State Employee Retirees Association
• Michigan Townships Association
• NextGen America
• Protect Democracy
• Voters Not Politicians
A representative of Promote the Vote testified with concerns about the bill. (6-8-23)
Pure Integrity for Michigan Elections indicated opposition to the bill. (6-13-23)
Legislative Analyst: Holly Kuhn
Fiscal Analyst: Michael Cnossen
■ 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.
House Fiscal Agency HB 4702 as reported Page 2 of 2


Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 168.658, 168.661
As Passed by the House: 168.658, 168.661
As Passed by the Senate: 168.658, 168.661
House Concurred Bill: 168.658, 168.661
Public Act: 168.658, 168.661
House Enrolled Bill: 168.658, 168.661