2001 Senate Bill 173 / Public Act 269

Introduced in the Senate

Feb. 7, 2001

Introduced by Sen. Willis Bullard (R-15)

To eliminate the straight party ticket option from election ballots.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Reform

Nov. 8, 2001

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with a version recommended by the committee which reported it. The substitute would, in addition to eliminating the straight party ticket option from election ballots, also require an expedited recount of a presidential election if the unofficial winning margin is .5 percent or less of the total votes cast, prohibit a candidate from using a nickname on the ballot, encourage, but not mandate counties to convert to optical scan voting systems, make it a crime to steal a campaign sign, and require a qualified voter who is not listed on a precinct roll to show a photo identification in order to cast a provisional ballot.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Dianne Byrum (D-25)

To strike out the elimination of the straight-ticket ballot option which the bill proposes.

The amendment failed 15 to 19 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Dianne Byrum (D-25)

To strike out a provision that requires a qualified voter not listed on a precinct roll to show a photo identification in order to cast a provisional ballot.

The amendment failed 14 to 21 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Dianne Byrum (D-25)

To allow counties seeking grants for voting equipment upgrades also use the funds to take steps to avoid “overvoting” and spoiled ballots, put in place means to inform voters of how to avoid this, improve vote audit procedures and protect against ballot tampering, and pursue an on-line voting or early voting pilot project.

The amendment failed 15 to 20 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Alma Smith (D-18)

To require a political party ballot designation for Supreme Court justice candidates.

The amendment failed 15 to 20 (details)

Passed in the Senate 20 to 15 (details)

To eliminate the straight party ticket option from election ballots, require an expedited recount of a presidential election if the unofficial winning margin is .5 percent or less of the total votes cast, prohibit a candidate from using a nickname on the ballot, require the Secretary of State to establish statewide standards for using “stray marks” on a ballot to determine voter intent, and establish more rigorous training standards for election workers. The bill also prohibits a person paid by a school district or local unit of government for election-related duties from working for a candidate or a ballot initiative, makes it a crime to steal a campaign sign, establishes a specific procedure for verifying a voter change of address, and requires a qualified voter who is not listed on a precinct roll to show a photo identification in order to cast a provisional ballot. Finally, it appropriates federal funds (if they become available) to establish a uniform statewide voting system.

Received in the House

Nov. 8, 2001

Dec. 6, 2001

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with a version recommended by the committee which reported it.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. William Callahan (D-26)

To authorize the Secretary of State to produce a training video for election workers in DVD format as well as on videotape.

The amendment failed 43 to 53 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. LaMar Lemmons III (D-2)

To strike out the portions of the bill that eliminate the straight party ticket ballot option.

The amendment failed 41 to 56 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Nancy Quarles (D-36)

To require a statewide referendum on the November, 2002 ballot before the bill can go into effect.

The amendment failed 47 to 54 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Nancy Quarles (D-36)

To authorize absentee ballot voting for any reason, rather than limiting it to certain reasons defined by statute.

The amendment failed 48 to 50 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Chris Kolb (D-53)

To tie bar the bill to House Bill 4054, which requires general election days to be public holidays in Michigan. This means the bill would not go into effect unless HB 4054 also becomes law.

The amendment failed 45 to 55 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Chris Kolb (D-53)

To tie bar the bill to House Bill 4055, which requires general election days to be public school holiday in Michigan. This means the bill would not go into effect unless HB 4055 also becomes law.

The amendment failed 41 to 53 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Joseph Rivet (D-97)

To tie bar the bill to House Bill 4353, which requires the Secretary of State to conduct statewide elections by mail, and authorize local elections by mail. This means the bill would not go into effect unless HB 4353 also becomes law.

The amendment failed 42 to 56 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Stephen Adamini (D-109)

To require the Secretary of State to ensure that no voter over the age of 55 waits more than 30 minutes to vote.

The amendment failed 43 to 55 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Stephen Adamini (D-109)

To require the Secretary of State to ensure that no voter waits to vote outdoors when the temperature is under 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

The amendment failed 43 to 56 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Stephen Adamini (D-109)

To require the Secretary of State to ensure that no disabled or handicapped voter shall have to wait outdoors to vote.

The amendment failed 47 to 52 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Stephen Adamini (D-109)

To require the Secretary of State to prepare a report for the legislature on the number of voters statewide in the November 2002 election who exceeded the two minute time limit allowed by law for occupying a voting booth.

The amendment failed 44 to 56 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. LaMar Lemmons III (D-2)

To require a candidate’s political party designation to be printed on the ballot preceding the candidate’s name and in same size print.

The amendment failed 44 to 55 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Ken Daniels (D-5)

To tie bar the bill to Senate Bill 673, which requires the Secretary of State to establish an early voting pilot project in several diverse areas of the state, to test early voting systems in which an elector may vote in person beginning five-days before a primary, general, or special election. This means the bill would not go into effect unless SB 673 also becomes law.

The amendment failed 46 to 55 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. David Woodward (D-34)

To require the Secretary of State to prepare a report for the legislature on the on the “deleterious effects” on students and young voters of Public Act 118 of 1999, which required that the address on a person’s drivers license be the same as the address at which the person is registered to vote.

The amendment failed 46 to 55 (details)

Passed in the House 56 to 47 (details)

To eliminate the straight party ticket option from election ballots. The bill makes several other changes, and is the subject of a 2002 general election referendum on whether it will go into effect. The official referendum ballot language describes the effects of the bill as follows: Eliminate "straight party" vote option on partisan general election ballots. Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials. Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot. Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000. Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors. Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 6, 2001

Dec. 11, 2001

Passed in the Senate 20 to 15 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill, which as passed would eliminate the straight party ticket option from election ballots and make several other changes. The bill is the subject of a 2002 general election referendum on whether it will go into effect. The official referendum ballot language describes the effects of the bill as follows: Eliminate "straight party" vote option on partisan general election ballots. Require Secretary of State to obtain training reports from local election officials. Require registered voters who do not appear on registration list to show picture identification before voting a challenged ballot. Require expedited canvass if presidential vote differential is under 25,000. Require ballot counting equipment to screen ballots for voting errors to ensure the accurate tabulation of absentee ballots. Permit voters in polls to correct errors. Provide penalties for stealing campaign signs or accepting payment for campaign work while being paid as a public employee to perform election duties.

Received in the House

Dec. 11, 2001

Signed by Gov. John Engler

Dec. 31, 2001