This bill amends the Michigan election law by updating Section 659 to allow for the consolidation of election precincts under specific conditions. The bill stipulates that if a jurisdiction is divided into multiple precincts, the election commissioners may consolidate them for elections that are not general November elections, primary elections immediately before a general November election, or other statewide or federal elections. The decision to consolidate must consider factors such as the number of choices the elector must make, voter turnout in previous similar elections, and the level of interest in the candidates and proposals. The maximum number of active registered electors in a consolidated precinct is increased from 5,000 to 15,000.

Additionally, the bill requires that any consolidation must occur at least 60 days before a primary, general, or special election. It mandates that registered electors in the affected precincts be notified of the consolidation and the new polling place, which can be done through mail or other methods. Furthermore, if the polling places are not in the same building, written notices must be posted at each polling place. The bill also emphasizes that each affected precinct must be treated as a whole unit during the consolidation process.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 168.659, 168.569