Introduced by Rep. John Garfield (R) on June 10, 2003, to apply to home rule villages the election consolidation provisions proposed by House Bills 4821 and 4824. These would require all elections in the state, including school elections, to be held on one of four designated Tuesdays in February, May, August, and November. The bill is part of election consolidation package comprised of House Bills 4820 to 4828.
Referred to the House Local Government and Urban Policy Committee on June 10, 2003.
Reported in the House on June 17, 2003, without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.
Referred to the Senate Government Operations and Reform Committee on June 24, 2003.
Reported in the Senate on December 11, 2003, with the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
Substitute offered in the Senate on December 11, 2003, to replace the previous version of the bill with one which incorporates technical changes and which accomodates Senate Bill 877, which also sets the rules for the school "floater" election date. The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on December 11, 2003.
Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate on December 11, 2003, to apply to home rule villages the election consolidation provisions proposed by House Bills 4824 and Senate Bill 877. These would require all elections in the state, including school elections, to be held on one of four designated Tuesdays in February, May, August, and November. The bill is part of election consolidation package comprised of House Bills 4820 to 4828, and Senate Bill 877. Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
Received in the House on December 16, 2003.
Passed 81 to 26 in the House on December 18, 2003, to concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill. Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on January 8, 2004.
1) "no vote explantion" by Admin003 on June 23, 2003 Reps. Adamini and Anderson, having reserved the right to explain their protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:
"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
I voted no on HB 4820-23, HB 4824 (H-1), HB 4825-8 for the following reasons:
1. This package removes local control from school boards and transfers it to other local units of government. Once there is absence of local control, things can go out of control.
2. There are numerous school districts where the boundaries are not coterminous with the corresponding township, city or village. Thereby, this package would force these local clerks to divide precincts into correct school districts. Even with the Qualified Voter File, this mandate would be very laborious for local clerks.
3. Those who support this package pull out the worse case scenarios where the turnout rate is low and there is little to none publicity about school elections. To the contrary, there are many school districts that publicize their elections and have active participation. For example, the Jackson ISD had an election in the same month where voters where choosing the replacement for their state representative in a special election. The turn out was greater for the ISD election than the other one. This proves with proper notice that all school boards do not run stealth elections.
4. If it is the goal of the sponsors to increase voter turnout, other mechanisms such as same day voter registration and no excuse absentee ballot would be more effective." Reply
2) 2003 House Bill 4826 by admin on January 1, 2001 Introduced in the House on June 10, 2003, to apply to home rule villages the election consolidation provisions proposed by House Bills 4821 and 4824. These would require all elections in the state, including school elections, to be held on one of four designated Tuesdays in February, May, August, and November. The bill is part of election consolidation package comprised of House Bills 4820 to 4828
The vote was 75 in favor, 30 opposed and 5 not voting