Counties: charter; election of county executive in a charter county; modify election schedule to the presidential election years. Amends 1966 PA 293 (MCL 45.501 - 45.521) by adding sec. 14b.
Impact
The passage of HB4536 would lead to the abolishment of the existing elected office of county executive in these counties, replacing it with the new office defined by this bill. As a result, this could potentially increase voter participation and engagement, given the alignment with presidential election years. Additionally, it may bolster the visibility and political importance of the county executive role, which oversees local administration and governance.
Summary
House Bill 4536 proposes changes to the election process for county executives in charter counties within Michigan. Specifically, it seeks to amend the existing laws governing charter counties, which are established under the 1966 PA 293. The bill introduces a requirement for counties with populations of less than 1,000,000 to elect a county executive on a partisan basis at the upcoming general election in November 2024, with subsequent elections occurring every four years. This change aims to streamline the election process and align it with other significant electoral events, notably presidential elections.
Contention
While the bill seems to simplify and standardize the election process, it may also raise questions about local governance autonomy. Some stakeholders may argue that this shift could undermine the unique needs and conditions of smaller counties, as they would now adhere to a more centralized and potentially less flexible model of governance. The transition to a partisan election process may also spur debate on the implications for non-partisan governance, especially in traditionally non-partisan counties.
Counties: charter; election of county executive in a charter county; modify election schedule to the presidential election years. Amends 1966 PA 293 (MCL 45.501 - 45.521) by adding sec. 14b.
Counties: boards and commissions; charter county apportionment commission; modify, and modify number of charter county commissioner districts. Amends secs. 4, 5, 12 & 14 of 1966 PA 293 (MCL 45.504 et seq.).
Elections: presidential electors; certain provisions of the federal electoral count reform act; implement, clarify straight party ticket voting, modify the election tie-breaking procedure, revise the selection process for members of the board of state canvassers, and modify certain recount timelines. Amends secs. 22a, 22b, 46, 47, 581, 795c, 822, 842, 846 & 882 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.22a et seq.) & adds sec. 814.
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: 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: absent voters; electronic return of absent voter ballots by uniformed services voters; amend start date. Amends sec. 759a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759a).
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