2009 House Bill 5279 / 2010 Public Act 50

Allow scanned absentee voting by voters out of the country

Introduced in the House

Aug. 26, 2009

Introduced by Rep. Vincent Gregory (D-35)

To allow military service members or any voter who is outside the country to recieve their absentee ballot by e-mail, and require the Secretary of State to create rules for sending out and receiving back the ballots.

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics

Oct. 21, 2009

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Nov. 4, 2009

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises various details, but does not change its substance. This version was subsequently superseded by another substitute with more changes.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Vincent Gregory (D-35)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that more explicitly spells out specific procedures for the overseas absentee ballots.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Kimberly Meltzer (R-33)

To clarify that the voter need not return the ballot via the U.S. Post Office, but may use other services as well.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 105 to 0 (details)

Received in the Senate

Nov. 5, 2009

Referred to the Committee on Campaign and Election Oversight

Feb. 11, 2010

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

March 17, 2010

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

March 23, 2010

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To allow military service members or any voter who is outside the country to recieve their absentee ballot by e-mail, and require the Secretary of State to create rules for sending out and receiving back the ballots.

Received in the House

March 23, 2010

April 13, 2010

Passed in the House 107 to 0 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

April 22, 2010