2003 Senate Bill 877 / Public Act 298

Comprehensive election consolidation package

Introduced in the Senate

Dec. 3, 2003

Introduced by Sen. Beverly Hammerstrom (R-17)

To require all local and state primary, general, and special elections in the state, including school elections, to be held on one of four days during the year: the last Tuesday in February, or the Tuesday after the first Monday in either May, August, or November. This would not apply to special elections called to fill open statewide or legislative offices. The bill would allow a school district to call one special bond, millage or debt election per year on a Tuesday “floater” date that is not on one of the four proposed regular election dates, and is not within 35 days of one of them, if a petition is signed by at least 10 percent of the number of electors voting in the last gubernatorial election in that district, or 3,000 electors, whichever is less. The bill part of the election consolidation package comprised of House Bills 4820 to 4828.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Reform

Dec. 11, 2003

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one which incorporates technical changes that do not affect the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Samuel B. Thomas (D-4)

To eliminate the petition signature requirements, and allow a school district to call a special election on a "floater" date with a two-thirds vote of the school board.

The amendment failed 17 to 21 (details)

Passed in the Senate 29 to 9 (details)

To require all local and state primary, general, and special elections in the state, including school elections, to be held on one of four days during the year: the last Tuesday in February, or the Tuesday after the first Monday in either May, August, or November. This would not apply to special elections called to fill open statewide or legislative offices. The bill would allow a school district to call one special bond, millage or debt election per year on a Tuesday “floater” date that is not on one of the four proposed regular election dates, and is not within 35 days of one of them, if a petition is signed by at least 10 percent of the number of electors voting in the last gubernatorial election in that district, or 3,000 electors, whichever is less. The bill part of the election consolidation package comprised of House Bills 4820 to 4828. The new consolidated election system would go into effect in 2005.

Received in the House

Dec. 16, 2003

Referred to the Committee on Local Government and Urban Policy

Dec. 17, 2003

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Dec. 18, 2003

Passed in the House 81 to 28 (details)

To require all local and state primary, general, and special elections in the state, including school elections, to be held on one of four days during the year: the last Tuesday in February, or the Tuesday after the first Monday in either May, August, or November. This would not apply to special elections called to fill open statewide or legislative offices. The bill would allow a school district to call one special bond, millage or debt election per year on a Tuesday “floater” date that is not on one of the four proposed regular election dates, and is not within 35 days of one of them, if a petition is signed by at least 10 percent of the number of electors voting in the last gubernatorial election in that district, or 3,000 electors, whichever is less. The bill part of the election consolidation package comprised of House Bills 4820 to 4828. The new consolidated election system would go into effect in 2005.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Dec. 31, 2003