HB4356 amends Michigan election law to change how election officials handle registered electors who have not voted for eight years or more. The bill prohibits a city or township clerk from canceling a voter’s registration solely because the person has not voted. Instead, the Secretary of State must mail a forwardable notice and a prepaid return card to long-inactive electors after each general November election, giving them a chance to confirm their address, sign the card, or otherwise engage in voting-related activity to keep their registration active.
If the elector returns the card, the local clerk must compare the signature to the qualified voter file. A mismatch results in the registration being marked challenged, and the elector must be notified of the steps needed to resolve that status. If the notice is undeliverable, the Secretary of State must also mark the record challenged. If the elector still does not vote or take qualifying voting-related action by the first business day after the second general November election following the notice, the registration is canceled and the local clerk is notified.
Impact
The bill would amend section 509bb of the Michigan election law (1954 PA 116, MCL 168.509bb) by replacing a simple inactivity-based cancellation approach with a notice-and-response process for electors who have not voted in eight years or more. It affects the duties of the Secretary of State and city/township clerks, adds signature verification and challenged-status procedures, and preserves registration unless the elector fails to respond, engage in voting-related activity, or otherwise confirm eligibility within the specified timeframe.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill moved forward with support but not unanimity. It was reported from committee 5-1 without amendment and later passed the House on third reading by a 56-41 vote with immediate effect, indicating a generally favorable but divided response. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the close floor vote suggests meaningful concern among some members.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be the balance between maintaining accurate voter rolls and avoiding removal of inactive voters solely for not voting. Supporters likely view the bill as a safeguard against improper cancellation while still allowing cleanup after prolonged inactivity and notice. Opponents likely object to the challenged-registration and cancellation process, especially the use of nonvoting as a trigger for mailing, signature matching, and eventual removal after a long period of inactivity. The 56-41 House vote indicates that election administration and voter-roll maintenance were the central disputed issues.
Elections: election officials; procedure to remove certain electors listed on the qualified voter file who have not recently voted; provide for. Amends sec. 509aa of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.509aa).