The bill amends the Michigan election law, specifically sections 303, 697, and 699, to update the requirements for candidates running for school board positions. It stipulates that candidates must file a nominating petition and an affidavit with the school district filing official by 4 p.m. on the fifteenth Tuesday before the election. The number of signatures required for the nominating petition is adjusted based on the population of the school district, with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 20 signatures for districts with populations under 10,000, and a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 100 for districts with populations of 10,000 or more. Additionally, candidates may opt to pay a nonrefundable filing fee of $100 instead of submitting a nominating petition.

The bill also modifies the ballot structure for elections. It mandates that the names of local school district board members be included on the same ballot as other offices during the general November election. Furthermore, it clarifies that nonpartisan offices must be listed separately on the ballot without party designations. The amendments aim to streamline the election process for school board candidates and ensure their inclusion on ballots, thereby enhancing voter awareness and participation in local educational governance.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 168.303