HOUSE BILL NO. 6503

December 03, 2020, Introduced by Rep. Sabo and referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics.

A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled

"Michigan election law,"

by amending section 349 (MCL 168.349), as amended by 2018 PA 654.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 349. (1) To obtain the printing of the name of a person an individual as a candidate for nomination by a political party for a township office under the particular party heading upon the official primary ballots, there must be filed with the township clerk nominating petitions signed by a number of qualified and registered electors residing within the township as determined under section 544f. Nominating petitions must be in the form prescribed in section 544c. The township clerk shall receive nominating petitions up to 4 p.m. of the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary.

(2) To obtain the printing of the name of a candidate of a political party under the particular party's heading upon the primary election ballots in the various voting precincts of the township, there may be filed by the candidate, in lieu of filing nominating petitions, a nonrefundable filing fee of $100.00 to be paid to the township clerk. Payment of the fee and certification of the candidate's name paying the fee are governed by the same provisions as in the case of nominating petitions. The fee must be deposited in the general fund of the township and must be refunded to candidates who are nominated and to an equal number of candidates who receive the next highest number of votes in the primary election. If 2 or more candidates tie in having the lowest number of votes allowing a refund, the sum of $100.00 must be divided among them. The deposits of all other defeated candidates, as well as the deposits of candidates who withdraw or are disqualified, are forfeited and the candidates must be notified of the forfeiture. Deposits forfeited under this section must be paid into and credited to the general fund of the township.used only for the purchase and maintenance of voting equipment.

(3) Within 4 days after the last day for filing nominating petitions or a filing fee, the township clerk shall deliver to the county clerk a list setting forth the name, address, and political affiliation and office sought of each candidate who has qualified for a position on the primary ballot.