Elections: special elections; state to reimburse costs for certain special elections; require. Amends 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.1 - 168.992) by adding sec. 634b.
Impact
If enacted, HB 4033 will significantly impact the financial mechanics of how special elections are conducted in Michigan. By putting a reimbursement system in place, local governments will have an added financial safety net, which may encourage responsiveness in filling legislative vacancies. The bill necessitates the legislature to appropriate necessary funds from the state general fund to facilitate these reimbursements, establishing a new financial interaction between state and local electoral processes.
Summary
House Bill 4033 aims to amend Michigan's election law by introducing a provision that requires the state to reimburse counties, cities, or townships for the costs associated with conducting special elections held on dates other than regular election dates. Specifically, the bill mandates that upon the direction of the governor to fill a vacancy in the state legislature via a special election, local jurisdictions must be reimbursed for verified actual costs, which excludes salaries of permanent officials and certain reusable supplies. This amendment seeks to alleviate the financial burden on local governments when unexpected vacancies arise.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 4033 appears largely supportive among legislators who view it as a necessary financial relief measure for local governments. This perspective considers the often unforeseen costs that special elections can impose. However, there may also be concerns regarding the state’s financial capacity to reimburse effectively, which could lead to debates on budget allocations and priorities in the forthcoming legislative sessions.
Contention
While the overall sentiment is positive, there may be concerns from some quarters about the execution of this reimbursement process. Questions about the sufficiency of appropriated funds, the strictness of verifying actual election costs, and the bureaucratic processes involved in reimbursements could fuel discussions about the practicality of the bill. Additionally, those wary of local governmental dependencies on state reimbursements might voice objections regarding autonomy and operational flexibility during elections.
Elections: special elections; governor to announce the date of the special election to fill a vacancy in the legislature within 30 days after the vacancy occurs and to hold the special election within 180 days after the vacancy occurs; require. Amends 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.1 - 168.992) by adding sec. 634b. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4653'25
Elections: election officials; secretary of state to send each elector a notice every 10 years to verify the elector’s address information; require. Amends 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.1 - 168.992) by adding sec. 515a.
Elections: offenses; intimidating an election official or preventing an election official from performing the election official's duties; prohibit. Amends 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.1 - 168.992) by adding sec. 931b.
Elections: absent voters; electronic return of absent voter ballots by military voters and their spouses; provide for. Amends sec. 759a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759a) & repeals sec. 18a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.18a).
Elections: election officials; list of local clerks who are not current with continuing election education training; require secretary of state to post on department of state website. Amends 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.1 - 168.992) by adding sec. 33a.
Elections: voting equipment; standards for electronic voting systems; modify, and modify maintenance of electronic voting system source codes. Amends secs. 795, 795a & 797c of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.795 et seq.).
Elections: school; millage elections; limit to November elections. Amends secs. 312, 641 & 821 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.312 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4583'25