SENATE BILL No. 78

 

 

January 29, 2019, Introduced by Senators WOJNO, HERTEL, ALEXANDER, HOLLIER, MCMORROW, BULLOCK, GEISS, POLEHANKI and CHANG and referred to the Committee

      on Elections.

 

 

 

      A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled

 

"Michigan election law,"

 

by amending sections 560, 568, 706, 736b, 736c, 736d, 736e, 736g,

 

764, and 764a (MCL 168.560, 168.568, 168.706, 168.736b, 168.736c,

 

168.736d, 168.736e, 168.736g, 168.764, and 168.764a), sections

 

560, 568, 706, and 764a as amended and sections 736g and 764 as

 

added by 2012 PA 128 and sections 736b, 736c, 736d, and 736e as

 

amended by 2018 PA 190.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

 1        Sec. 560. Ballots must contain the appropriate ballot

 

 2  marking instructions concerning the method of voting as provided

 

 3  in section 736b, 736c, 736d, or 736e. Ballots other than those

 

 4  furnished by the board of election commissioners, according to

 


 1  the provisions of this act, shall must not be used, cast, or

 

 2  counted in any election precinct at any election. The size of all

 

 3  official ballots shall must be as the board of election

 

 4  commissioners prescribes.

 

 5        Sec. 568. (1) The official primary election ballots shall

 

 6  must be prepared in a form prescribed by the secretary of state

 

 7  based upon the voting equipment being used in each county and

 

 8  must contain the appropriate ballot marking instructions

 

 9  concerning the method of voting as provided in section 736b,

 

10  736c, 736d, or 736e.

 

11        (2) The order of the offices on the ballot shall must be the

 

12  same, as near as may be, as is required by law in making up the

 

13  ballot used at general elections. The title of the office shall

 

14  must be immediately above the names of the candidate or

 

15  candidates for the nomination of each office, and under the title

 

16  the words "Vote for not more than," followed by the number "1" or

 

17  "2" or such other identifier as will designate the number of

 

18  candidates for the nomination to the office that may be voted

 

19  for.

 

20        Sec. 706. The arrangement of the ballot containing the names

 

21  of candidates for office shall must be prescribed by the

 

22  secretary of state based upon the voting equipment being used in

 

23  each county and must contain the appropriate ballot marking

 

24  instructions concerning the method of voting as provided in

 

25  section 736b, 736c, 736d, or 736e.

 

26        Sec. 736b. Each ballot secrecy sleeve used at a primary

 

27  election must either contain the following ballot marking

 


 1  instructions printed on the front of the ballot: secrecy sleeve

 

 2  or must have a clear plastic pocket on the front of the ballot

 

 3  secrecy sleeve that contains a printed copy of the following

 

 4  ballot marking instructions:

 

 

5

                         PRIMARY ELECTION

6

TO VOTE: Completely darken the oval opposite each choice as shown:

7

[insert graphic here].

8

                             -- OR --

9

TO VOTE: Completely darken the box opposite each choice

10

as shown: [insert graphic here].

11

IMPORTANT: To mark your ballot, use only a black or  blue ink pen.

12

DO NOT USE ANY OTHER INK COLOR!

13

PARTISAN SECTION: There may be multiple party sections on the

14

ballot. Select the party section of your choice. YOU MAY VOTE IN

15

ONE PARTY SECTION ONLY; YOU CANNOT "SPLIT YOUR TICKET." IF YOU

16

VOTE IN MORE THAN ONE PARTY SECTION, YOUR PARTISAN BALLOT WILL BE

17

REJECTED. DO NOT vote for more candidates than indicated under

18

each office title.

19

WRITE-IN CANDIDATES: To vote for a candidate whose name is not

20

printed on the ballot, write or place the name of that candidate

21

in the blank space provided and completely darken the voting target

22

area. Do not cast a write-in vote for a candidate whose name

23

is already printed on the ballot for that office.

24

CHECK BOTH SIDES OF BALLOT: This ballot has two sides. Be certain

25

to check the reverse side of the ballot.

26

WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED VOTING: Place the ballot in the secrecy

27

sleeve so that votes cannot be seen and the numbered stub is

28

visible. Return the ballot to the election official stationed at


1

the tabulator. (If voting by absentee ballot, follow the

2

instructions provided by the clerk for returning the ballot.)

3

NOTE: If you make a mistake, return your ballot to the election

4

official and obtain a new ballot. Do not attempt to erase or

5

correct any marks made in error.

 

 

 6        Sec. 736c. Each ballot secrecy sleeve used at a general

 

 7  election must either contain the following ballot marking

 

 8  instructions printed on the front of the ballot: secrecy sleeve

 

 9  or must have a clear plastic pocket on the front of the ballot

 

10  secrecy sleeve that contains a printed copy of the following

 

11  ballot marking instructions:

 

 

12

                         GENERAL ELECTION

13

TO VOTE: Completely darken the oval opposite each choice as shown:

14

[insert graphic here].

15

                             -- OR --

16

TO VOTE: Completely darken the box opposite each choice

17

as shown: [insert graphic here].

18

IMPORTANT: To mark your ballot, use only a black or blue ink pen.

19

DO NOT USE ANY OTHER INK COLOR!

20

PARTISAN SECTION: To vote the partisan section of the ballot, you

21

may cast a "mixed ticket."

22

Mixed Ticket: MIXED TICKET: Vote for the individual candidates of

23

your choice in each office.

24

NONPARTISAN and PROPOSAL SECTIONS of the ballot (if any) must be

25

voted separately.

26

DO NOT vote for more candidates than indicated under each office

27

title.


1

WRITE-IN CANDIDATES: To vote for a candidate whose name is not

2

printed on the ballot, write or place the name of that candidate

3

in the blank space provided and completely darken the voting target

4

area. Do not cast a write-in vote for a candidate whose name

5

is already printed on the ballot for that office.

6

CHECK BOTH SIDES OF BALLOT: This ballot has two sides. Be certain

7

to check the reverse side of the ballot.

8

WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED VOTING: Place the ballot in the secrecy

9

sleeve so that votes cannot be seen and the numbered stub is

10

visible. Return the ballot to the election official stationed at

11

the tabulator. (If voting by absentee ballot, follow the

12

instructions provided by the clerk for returning the ballot.)

13

NOTE: If you make a mistake, return your ballot to the election

14

official and obtain a new ballot. Do not attempt to erase or

15

correct any marks made in error.

 

 

16        Sec. 736d. Each ballot secrecy sleeve used at a nonpartisan

 

17  election must either contain the following ballot marking

 

18  instructions printed on the front of the ballot: secrecy sleeve

 

19  or must have a clear plastic pocket on the front of the ballot

 

20  secrecy sleeve that contains a printed copy of the following

 

21  ballot marking instructions:

 

 

22

                       NONPARTISAN ELECTION

23

TO VOTE: Completely darken the oval opposite each choice as shown:

24

[insert graphic here].

25

                             -- OR --

26

TO VOTE: Completely darken the box opposite each choice

27

as shown: [insert graphic here].


1

IMPORTANT: To mark your ballot, use only a black or blue ink pen.

2

DO NOT USE ANY OTHER INK COLOR!

3

DO NOT vote for more candidates than indicated under each office

4

title.

5

WRITE-IN CANDIDATES: To vote for a candidate whose name is not

6

printed on the ballot, write or place the name of that candidate in

7

the blank space provided and completely darken the voting target

8

area. Do not cast a write-in vote for a candidate whose name

9

is already printed on the ballot for that office.

10

CHECK BOTH SIDES OF BALLOT: This ballot has two sides. Be certain

11

to check the reverse side of the ballot.

12

WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED VOTING: Place the ballot in the secrecy

13

sleeve so that votes cannot be seen and the numbered stub is

14

visible. Return the ballot to the election official stationed at

15

the tabulator. (If voting by absentee ballot, follow the

16

instructions provided by the clerk for returning the ballot.)

17

NOTE: If you make a mistake, return your ballot to the election

18

official and obtain a new ballot. Do not attempt to erase or

19

correct any marks made in error.

 

 

20        Sec. 736e. Each ballot secrecy sleeve used at a special

 

21  election must either contain the following ballot marking

 

22  instructions printed on the front of the ballot: secrecy sleeve

 

23  or must have a clear plastic pocket on the front of the ballot

 

24  secrecy sleeve that contains a printed copy of the following

 

25  ballot marking instructions:

 

 

26

                         SPECIAL ELECTION

27

TO VOTE: Completely darken the oval opposite each choice as shown:


1

[insert graphic here].

2

                             -- OR --

3

TO VOTE: Completely darken the box opposite each choice

4

as shown: [insert graphic here].

5

IMPORTANT: To mark your ballot, use only a black or blue ink pen.

6

DO NOT USE ANY OTHER INK COLOR!

7

CHECK BOTH SIDES OF BALLOT: This ballot has two sides. Be certain

8

to check the reverse side of the ballot.

9

WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED VOTING: Place the ballot in the secrecy

10

sleeve so that votes cannot be seen and the numbered stub is

11

visible. Return the ballot to the election official stationed at

12

the tabulator. (If voting by absentee ballot, follow the

13

instructions provided by the clerk for returning the ballot.)

14

NOTE: If you make a mistake, return your ballot to the election

15

official and obtain a new ballot. Do not attempt to erase or

16

correct any marks made in error.

 

 

17        Sec. 736g. If a ballot secrecy sleeve used at an election or

 

18  a ballot marking instruction sheet contained in a clear plastic

 

19  pocket on the front of a ballot secrecy sleeve used at an

 

20  election is defaced, marred, or contains any mark on it, other

 

21  than the ballot marking instructions that are required under this

 

22  act, the use of that ballot secrecy sleeve or that ballot marking

 

23  instruction sheet contained in the clear plastic pocket on the

 

24  front of the ballot secrecy sleeve shall must be immediately

 

25  discontinued and the ballot secrecy sleeve or ballot marking

 

26  instruction sheet shall must be discarded and not be further used

 

27  at that election. In addition, if a clear plastic pocket on the

 


 1  front of a ballot secrecy sleeve used at an election is defaced,

 

 2  marred, or contains any mark on it, the use of that clear plastic

 

 3  pocket on the front of the ballot secrecy sleeve shall must be

 

 4  immediately discontinued and the clear plastic pocket shall must

 

 5  be discarded and not be further used at that election.

 

 6        Sec. 764. In addition to the instructions provided to an

 

 7  absent voter under section 764a, the following ballot marking

 

 8  instructions for an absent voter concerning the method of voting

 

 9  shall must be included with on each absent voter ballot furnished

 

10  an absent voter:

 

11        (a) For a primary election, the ballot marking instructions

 

12  as provided in section 736b.

 

13        (b) For a general election, the ballot marking instructions

 

14  as provided in section 736c.

 

15        (c) For a nonpartisan election, the ballot marking

 

16  instructions as provided in section 736d.

 

17        (d) For a special election, the ballot marking instructions

 

18  as provided in section 736e.

 

19        Sec. 764a. The following instructions for an absent voter

 

20  shall must be included with each ballot or set of ballots

 

21  furnished an absent voter:

 

 

22

               INSTRUCTIONS FOR ABSENT VOTERS

 

 

23        Step 1. Enclosed On the absent voter ballot enclosed you

 

24  will find voting instructions as to the method of voting. Read

 

25  these carefully and then vote the ballot.

 

26        Step 2. After voting a ballot, place the ballot in the


 

 1  secrecy sleeve, if any. If a secrecy sleeve is not provided,

 

 2  refold the ballot to conceal your votes.

 

 3        Step 3. Place the ballot or ballots in the return envelope

 

 4  and securely seal the envelope.

 

 5        Step 4. Sign and date the return envelope in the place

 

 6  designated. Your signature must appear on the return envelope or

 

 7  the ballot will not be counted. If you are disabled or otherwise

 

 8  unable to mark the ballot and required assistance in voting your

 

 9  absent voter ballot, have the person who assisted you complete

 

10  the section on the return envelope entitled "TO BE COMPLETED ONLY

 

11  IF VOTER IS ASSISTED IN VOTING BY ANOTHER PERSON".

 

12        Step 5. Deliver the return envelope by 1 of the following

 

13  methods:

 

14        (a) Place the necessary postage upon the return envelope and

 

15  deposit it in the United States mail or with another public

 

16  postal service, express mail service, parcel post service, or

 

17  common carrier.

 

18        (b) Deliver the envelope personally to the office of the

 

19  clerk, to the clerk, or to an authorized assistant of the clerk.

 

20        (c) In either (a) or (b), a member of the immediate family

 

21  of the voter including a father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-

 

22  in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent,

 

23  or grandchild or a person residing in the voter's household may

 

24  mail or deliver a ballot to the clerk for the voter.

 

25        (d) You may request by telephone that the clerk who issued

 

26  the ballot provide assistance in returning the ballot. The clerk

 

27  is required to provide assistance if you are unable to return


 

 1  your absent voter ballot as specified in (a), (b), or (c) above,

 

 2  if it is before 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately preceding the

 

 3  election, and if you are asking the clerk to pickup the absent

 

 4  voter ballot within the jurisdictional limits of the city,

 

 5  township, or village in which you are registered. Your absent

 

 6  voter ballot will then be picked up by the clerk or an election

 

 7  assistant sent by the clerk. All persons authorized to pick up

 

 8  absent voter ballots are required to carry credentials issued by

 

 9  the clerk. If using this absent voter ballot return method, do

 

10  not give your ballot to anyone until you have checked their

 

11  credentials.

 

12        Step 6. The ballot must reach the clerk or an authorized

 

13  assistant of the clerk before the close of the polls on election

 

14  day. An absent voter ballot received by the clerk or assistant of

 

15  the clerk after the close of the polls on election day will not

 

16  be counted.

 

 

17

                          WARNING

 

 

18        All of the following actions are violations of the Michigan

 

19  election law and are illegal in this state:

 

20        (1) To vote an absent voter ballot at a meeting or gathering

 

21  at which other people are voting absent voter ballots.

 

22        (2) For a person who is assisting an absent voter in marking

 

23  the ballot to suggest or in any manner attempt to influence the

 

24  absent voter on how he or she should vote.

 

25        (3) For a person who is present and knows that a person is

 


 1  voting an absent voter ballot to suggest or in any manner attempt

 

 2  to influence the absent voter on how he or she should vote.

 

 3        (4) For a person other than those listed in these

 

 4  instructions to return, offer to return, agree to return, or

 

 5  solicit to return an absent voter ballot to the clerk.

 

 6        (5) For a person other than the absent voter; a person

 

 7  listed in these instructions; or a person whose job it is to

 

 8  handle mail before, during, or after being transported by a

 

 9  public postal service, express mail service, parcel post service,

 

10  or common carrier, but only during the normal course of his or

 

11  her employment to be in possession of a voted or unvoted absent

 

12  voter ballot.