The bill amends Michigan's election law by updating Section 659 to allow for the consolidation of election precincts under specific conditions. It stipulates that if a county, city, ward, township, village, metropolitan district, or school district is divided into multiple election precincts, the election commissioners may consolidate these precincts for elections that are not general November elections, primary elections immediately preceding a general November election, or other statewide or federal elections. The decision to consolidate must consider factors such as the number of choices electors must make, voter turnout in previous similar elections, the distance between polling places, access to public transportation, and the level of interest in the candidates and proposals.

Additionally, the bill specifies that consolidated precincts must not exceed 15,000 active registered electors and that the consolidation must occur at least 60 days before a primary, general, or special election. It also mandates that if polling places for the consolidated precincts are not in the same building, election officials must notify registered electors of the changes and post written notices at polling places. The bill emphasizes that each affected precinct must be treated as a whole unit during consolidation, ensuring that no precinct is divided.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (S-1): 168.659, 168.569
Senate Introduced Bill: 168.659, 168.569
As Passed by the Senate: 168.659, 168.569