Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
PROVIDE VOTING INFORMATION
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
UPON PRISONER RELEASE
Analysis available at
Senate Bill 835 (S-2) as passed by the Senate http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Sponsor: Sen. Stephanie Chang
House Committee: [Pending]
Senate Committee: Elections and Ethics
Complete to 12-17-24
SUMMARY:
Senate Bill 835 would amend the Corrections Code to require the Michigan Department of
Corrections to provide prisoners with information about Michigan’s voter registration and
election processes as part of the department’s community reentry assistance requirements. The
Department of Corrections would have to provide a written document, created by the Michigan
Secretary of State, that includes the following:
• Information about how the Michigan Election Law does not prohibit an individual from
voting once that person is no longer in prison if they are otherwise eligible.
• Specific information about how to register to vote.
• Specific information about how to cast a ballot in-person on election day or during the
early voting period and how to cast an absentee ballot.
• Information about Michigan’s regular election dates.
The bill would also remove a provision that currently requires a prisoner’s refusal to obtain
personal identification documents (such as a Social Security card or a state identification card)
to be included in that prisoner’s parole eligibility report.
MCL 791.234c et seq.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Senate Bill 835 would have no fiscal impact on the Department of Corrections. The department
currently provides every individual leaving prison with information on voting. A document
that describes voting eligibility and the local clerk’s office, and that gives a website address
and a phone number for more detailed information, is provided by the Department of
Corrections to each individual upon release from prison.
Under the bill, the Department of State would be required to provide written information
notifying individuals they are allowed to vote once they are released from prison, and other
specific information on how to vote in person on election day, how to vote in person during
the early voting period, and how to vote by absentee ballot. Providing such a document would
have a minimal fiscal impact on the Department of State that would be absorbed by existing
appropriations.
Legislative Analyst: Holly Kuhn
Fiscal Analysts: Robin Risko
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.
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Statutes affected:
Substitute (S-2): 791.234, 791.235
Senate Introduced Bill: 791.234, 791.235
As Passed by the Senate: 791.234, 791.235