The bill amends section 811 of the Michigan election law to establish new preservation timelines for various election-related documents and materials. It specifies that all election returns, including poll lists and absentee voter records, must be preserved for 22 months after the election, while applications for voter registration and absentee voting must be kept for 6 years. Additionally, it outlines that ballots used in elections, excluding those for federal offices, can be destroyed 30 days after the board of canvassers' final determination unless a recount is pending. For ballots containing federal offices, the retention period is set at 22 months.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new requirement for the preservation of data on electronic poll book flash drives, mandating that this data be kept for a specified duration after the election before it can be erased and the flash drive reused. This amendment aims to enhance the integrity and accountability of the election process by ensuring that critical election materials are retained for appropriate periods.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-1): 168.811
House Introduced Bill: 168.811
As Passed by the House: 168.811