2023 House Bill 4699 / Public Act 86

Elections: absent voters; provisions regarding permanent mail ballot voters; implement, and modify certain election material retention periods.

An act to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled “An act to reorganize, consolidate, and add to the election laws; to provide for election officials and prescribe their powers and duties; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, state agencies, and state and local officials and employees; to provide for the nomination and election of candidates for public office; to provide for the resignation, removal, and recall of certain public officers; to provide for the filling of vacancies in public office; to provide for and regulate primaries and elections; to provide for the purity of elections; to guard against the abuse of the elective franchise; to define violations of this act; to provide appropriations; to prescribe penalties and provide remedies; and to repeal certain acts and all other acts inconsistent with this act,” by amending sections 509aa and 811 (MCL 168.509aa and 168.811), section 509aa as amended by 2012 PA 270 and section 811 as amended by 2018 PA 603, and by adding sections 6, 759e, 759f, and 759g.

Introduced in the House

June 6, 2023

Introduced by Rep. Erin Byrnes (D-15) and 21 co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Reps. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-75), Kara Hope (D-74), Jenn Hill (D-109), Stephanie Young (D-16), Carol Glanville (D-84), Carrie Rheingans (D-47), Jimmie Wilson (D-32), Jason Morgan (D-23), Reggie Miller (D-31), Dylan Wegela (D-26), Kristian Grant (D-82), Amos O’Neal (D-94), Veronica Paiz (D-11), Sharon MacDonell (D-56), Julie Brixie (D-73), Jason Hoskins (D-18), Matt Koleszar (D-22), Natalie Price (D-5), Regina Weiss (D-6), Betsy Coffia (D-103) and Felicia Brabec (D-33)

Referred to the Committee on Elections

June 13, 2023

Reported with substitute H-2

Substitute H-2 concurred in by voice vote

June 14, 2023

Amendment offered by Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-75)

1. Amend page 6, following line 17, by inserting:

“(4) The secretary of state or the appropriate city or township clerk shall rescind the absent voter ballot application for all future elections for a permanent mail ballot voter if the secretary of state or the appropriate city or township clerk receives reliable information that the permanent mail ballot voter meets 1 or more of the reasons described in subsection (3).” and renumbering the remaining subsections.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-75)

1. Amend page 7, line 17, by striking out “or” and inserting “and”.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 56 to 53 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-9)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Received in the Senate

June 15, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics

June 27, 2023

Discharged from committee

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Reported without amendment

Passed in the Senate 27 to 10 (details)

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

July 19, 2023