Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

Legislative Analysis
                                                                             Phone: (517) 373-8080
ALLOW ONLINE ELECTION INSPECTOR APPLICATIONS
                                                                             http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
Senate Bill 385 as reported from House committee                             Analysis available at
Sponsor: Sen. Erika Geiss                                                    http://www.legislature.mi.gov
House Committee: Elections
Senate Committee: Elections and Ethics
Complete to 10-28-23
                                                                  (Enacted as Public Act 251 of 2023)
SUMMARY:
        Senate Bill 385 would amend the Michigan Election Law to allow clerks to accept election
        inspector applications through an online portal or by other electronic means.
        Currently, an individual must file an application in their own handwriting with their city or
        township clerk in order to be appointed to a board of election inspectors. 1
        Senate Bill 385 would remove the handwriting requirement and would allow county clerks to
        receive election inspector applications. Additionally, county, city, and township clerks could
        allow applicants to submit their applications electronically.
        MCL 168.677
FISCAL IMPACT:
        The bill would have no fiscal impact on the state or local units of government.
POSITIONS:
        A representative of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks testified in support of the
        bill. (9-19-23)
        The following entities indicated support for the bill:
           • Department of State (9-19-23)
           • Michigan Association of County Clerks (9-19-23)
           • Michigan Municipal League (9-26-23)
           • Promote the Vote (9-19-23)
           • Voters Not Politicians (9-19-23)
        Pure Integrity for Michigan Elections indicated opposition to the bill. (9-26-23)
                                                           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.
1
 The election inspector application form can be found here: https://www.michigan.gov/-
/media/Project/Websites/sos/01vanderroest/Elec_InspecAppl.pdf?rev=2721cebde7534b7fb2d66c9671d543c7.
House Fiscal Agency                                                                            Page 1 of 1
Statutes affected: 
Senate Introduced Bill: 168.677
As Passed by the Senate: 168.677
As Passed by the House: 168.677
Public Act: 168.677
Senate Enrolled Bill: 168.677