Elections: petitions; signature requirements for qualifying petitions; modify. Amends sec. 544f of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.544f).
Summary
SB 697 amends Michigan election law to change the number of signatures required on nominating petitions, with the stated focus on qualifying petitions. The bill revises the signature thresholds in MCL 168.544f according to district population, setting different minimum and maximum signature ranges for partisan, nonpartisan, and qualifying petitions across population brackets from under 10,000 residents to statewide districts over 5 million residents.
The measure keeps the population-based structure already used in the law, but updates the required signature counts and includes a delayed effective date of January 1, 2028. In practical terms, it would affect candidates and petition circulators seeking ballot access for offices covered by Michigan’s nominating petition rules, as well as election administrators who enforce petition requirements.
Impact
The bill would amend Section 544f of the Michigan Election Law (1954 PA 116, MCL 168.544f), changing the statutory signature requirements for nominating petitions. It would directly affect ballot-access rules for partisan, nonpartisan, and qualifying petitions by altering the minimum and maximum number of signatures required based on district population, while preserving the existing population-tier framework. The delayed effective date means the new requirements would not apply until 2028.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill was generally supported in the Senate. It was reported favorably out of committee on a 6-0 vote and then passed the Senate on third reading by a 27-6 roll call. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the vote margins indicate broad support with some opposition.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be the appropriate level of signature requirements for qualifying petitions and related nominating petitions, since the bill changes ballot-access thresholds that can make it easier or harder for candidates to qualify. Supporters likely view the update as a technical adjustment to election law and petition standards, while opponents may be concerned that changing signature counts could either burden candidates and minor parties or weaken petition safeguards, depending on the office and district size. The absence of transcripts limits more specific identification of arguments.
Elections: petitions; information required on candidate nominating petitions; modify. Amends secs. 303, 386, 544c & 590h of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.303 et seq.) & adds sec. 544g.
Elections: petitions; process for counting duplicate petition signatures; provide for, and eliminate penalties. Amends secs. 482, 590h, 685, 957 & 958 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.482 et seq.) & adds secs. 482f & 547.
Elections: campaign practices; individual circulating a petition; prohibit from being paid for each petition signature collected, and require petition circulators to be paid an hourly wage. Amends 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.1 - 168.992) by adding secs. 483b, 544g, 590i & 957a.
Elections: petitions; petition circulator to provide or read the summary of the purpose of the petition to the petition signer; require. Amends 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.1 - 168.992) by adding sec. 482g.