VOTER REGISTRATION AT OFFICES OF ANY

COUNTY, CITY, OR TOWNSHIP CLERK

House Bill 4774

Sponsor:  Rep. Tim Melton

Committee:  Ethics and Elections

Complete to2-15-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4774 AS INTRODUCED5-16-07

House Bill 4774 would amend the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.509v & 168.509w) to allow an individual to apply to register to vote at any county, city, or township clerk's office in the state.

Currently, the statute allows an individual to apply to register "at the office of a clerk of a county or the office of the clerk of the city or township in which the applicant resides."  (Emphasis added.)

(Applications to register can also be made at an office of the Secretary of State or at "a designated voter registration agency," such as offices of the Department of Human Services, Department of Community Health, and the Michigan Jobs Commission.)

The law requires the Department of State office, the designated voter registration agency, or the county clerk to transmit the application, not later than seven days after receipt, to the clerk of the county, city, or township where the applicant resides.  House Bill 4774 would retain this requirement, and extend it to city and township clerks' offices, if the applicant does not live in that city or township.

Finally, current law requires that if an application is made within seven days before the close of registration for a federal election, then the Department of State office, the designated voter registration agency, or the county clerk transmit the application, not later than one business day, to the clerk of the county, city, or township where the applicant resides.  House Bill 4774 would extend this provision also to the county, city, and township clerks' offices.

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4774 would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the Department of State and local units of government.  Any impact would be related to increased administrative costs stemming from the bill's provisions requiring that the office that receives the registration application transmit the application to the clerk of the county, city, or township where the applicant resides.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                   Fiscal Analyst:  ViolaBay Wild

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.