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HB 6090

Elections: candidates; dual citizenship status; require candidates to disclose. Amends sec. 558 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.558).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 16 co-sponsors

The bill requires candidates to disclose dual citizenship details on affidavits, strengthens identity verification, and speeds posting of dual citizenship info by election official

bill electronically reproduced 06/16/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 6090

Summary of HB 6090 (Michigan, 2025-2026)

Main purpose

HB 6090 seeks to tighten candidate disclosure requirements related to identity and dual citizenship on affidavits filed when placing a candidate on ballots. The bill adds dual citizenship disclosure, strengthens identity-verification provisions, and clarifies procedures and penalties around the filing of affidavits of identity for various offices.

Key provisions and changes

  • Affidavit of Identity requirements (general)

    • Candidates filing nominating petitions, qualifying petitions, filing fees, or affidavits of candidacy for federal, state, county, city, township, village, metropolitan district, or school district offices must file two copies of an affidavit of identity.
    • For candidates nominated at a party convention or caucus for federal/state/county/city/township/village offices, an affidavit of identity must be filed within 1 business day after nomination with the Secretary of State (SOSt). The requirement does not apply to presidential or vice-presidential nominees.

  • Content of the affidavit (Section 2)

    • Must include:
    • Candidate’s name and residential address.
    • Statement of U.S. citizenship.
    • Title of the office sought and jurisdiction/district.
    • Political party (or statement of no party affiliation).
    • Term of office and the date of the election.
    • Statement that the candidate meets constitutional and statutory qualifications.
    • Any other information required to verify identity.
    • How the candidate’s name should appear on the ballot.
    • If the candidate uses a name other than birth name, the full former name must be included.
    • For precinct delegates, the precinct number must be included.
    • For judicial candidates, indicate whether the office is incumbent, nonincumbent, or a new judgeship.
    • Dual citizenship disclosure: If the candidate has dual citizenship with the United States and other countries, the affidavit must include, for each country:
    • Country name.
    • How the citizenship was obtained.
    • Whether the citizenship status with that country is active or inactive.

  • Name-change exceptions (Section 3)

    • The requirement to indicate a name change does not apply if the name is:
    • A name changed at least 10 years before filing (for various valid circumstances like formal changes, naturalization, marriage, divorce under certain conditions, or common-law name).

  • Certification and penalties (Section 4)

    • Affidavits must include a signed, notarized statement that all campaign finance filings and fees (under the Michigan Campaign Finance Act) are current.
    • A statement acknowledging perjury penalties: false statements can be punished by a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 5 years, or both.
    • If filed with a filing officer other than the county clerk or SOSt, the officer must transmit a copy to the appropriate official.
    • Officials cannot certify the candidate’s name to the board of election commissioners if the candidate fails to comply or if the affidavit contains false information.

  • Dual citizenship disclosure transmission (Section 5)

    • If a dual citizenship identification is filed with a filing officer other than the SOSt, the officer must promptly transmit a legible digital copy to the SOSt.
    • The SOSt must post on its website within 2 business days after receipt:
    • The candidate’s name.
    • The name(s) of each country with which the candidate has dual citizenship.

  • Multiple office filings (Section 6)

    • If a candidate files petitions or fees for more than one office (with overlapping terms), the candidate must choose one office within 3 days after the last filing deadline.
    • Failure to select disqualifies the candidate for all offices with overlapping filings; votes for such offices would be void.

  • Perjury and enforcement (Section 7)

    • Perjury violations under this section are separate from violations of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act.

Who would be affected

  • Prospective candidates for federal, state, county, city, township, village, metropolitan district, or school district offices who file nominating or qualifying petitions, filing fees, or affidavits of candidacy.
  • Political party conventions/caucuses nominating candidates (for non-presidential offices).
  • Election officials (county clerks, secretaries of state, and local filing officers) responsible for receiving, transmitting, and certifying affidavits.
  • Candidates with dual citizenship and those who would need to disclose details of other countries’ citizenship.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Dual citizenship disclosures must be posted on the SOSt website within 2 business days of receipt.
  • For nominations by party convention, identity affidavits are due within 1 business day after nomination.
  • Individuals filing for multiple offices must select one office within 3 days after the last day for filing petitions/fees.
  • Notarization, accuracy certifications, and perjury penalties are integrated into the filing process.
  • The bill introduces stricter oversight and faster public posting of dual citizenship information.

Potential impact

  • Increases transparency regarding dual citizenship status of candidates.
  • Adds stricter identity verification and compliance requirements, with explicit perjury penalties.
  • Creates more administrative steps for filing officers and candidates, potentially affecting filing timelines and ballot printing.
  • Could influence competitiveness if dual citizenship status becomes more scrutinized by voters and opponents.

Note: The bill is current in the Michigan Legislature’s 2025-2026 session and has a number of co-sponsors, signaling bipartisan attention.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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