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HB 4462

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).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 23 co-sponsors

HB 4462 shortens the address-change notice response time to 15 days and sets removal if no voting occurs in the two-election window, tightening voter deregistration rules.

bill electronically reproduced 05/06/2025
#elections:electionofficials #elections:qualifiedvoterfile #elections:registration #stateagencies(existing):state
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Bill Summary · HB 4462

Summary — HB 4462 (introduced 2025)

Purpose

HB 4462 amends section 509aa of the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.509aa) to revise procedures by which local election clerks and the Secretary of State notify registered electors when reliable information indicates they have moved, and to specify consequences for failing to respond or to vote within a defined period. The stated changes primarily shorten deadlines for voter responses to address-confirmation mailings and clarify removal and challenge procedures.

Key provisions (substantive)

  • Applies to notices based on U.S. Postal Service change-of-address data or other “reliable information.”
  • Shortens the required postmark-response period for return cards from 30 days to 15 days:
    • For electors believed to have moved within the same city/township (clerk mailings).
    • For electors believed to have moved to another city/township (clerk mailings).
    • For electors believed to have moved out of state (Secretary of State mailings).
  • For moves within the same city/township:
    • Clerk must send forwardable mail: notice, prepaid return card, and instructions.
    • If the return card is not postmarked within the required period before the next election, the elector may be required to vote in the former precinct and submit an address correction before voting.
  • For moves to another city/township:
    • Clerk must send notice, prepaid return card, and instructions about remaining registered or registering in the new jurisdiction.
    • If the elector does not vote in any election during the period beginning on the notice date and ending on the first business day after the second November general election following the notice, the clerk must cancel the elector’s registration and remove the name from the local registration record.
  • If a mailed notice is returned as undeliverable:
    • Clerk must mark the registration “challenged” and instruct election inspectors to challenge the elector at the next election at which they appear.
    • If the elector affirms residence or reports a within-jurisdiction move, they must be allowed to vote a regular ballot and complete a change-of-address form if applicable.
    • Failure to vote during the specified two‑general‑election window triggers cancellation and removal.
  • Secretary of State responsibilities:
    • If the Department receives reliable out‑of‑state move evidence (including surrendered Michigan driver license or other reliable info; the text also references failure to vote for 20+ years), the Secretary must mail a notice and return card with the same 15‑day response requirement and the same removal-if-no-vote window.
  • All such notices must warn that any prior absent voter (AV) ballot application is rescinded; the elector will not receive AV ballots unless they submit a new AV application.

Who is affected

  • Registered electors whose addresses are flagged by USPS or other reliable sources.
  • Local election clerks and the Secretary of State (administration of notices, marking registrations, cancellations).
  • Boards of election inspectors (challenging voters whose notices were returned).
  • The state’s Qualified Voter File (removals when registrations are canceled).

Procedural / timeline status

  • Introduced March 11, 2025; introduced in House by Rep. Matt Koleszar.
  • Referred to Committee on Election Integrity; reported favorably and placed on the General State Calendar (May 2025).
  • Bill electronically reproduced May 6, 2025.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • The reduced response window (30 → 15 days) shortens the time electors have to confirm addresses, which could increase the number of voters required to affirm at polling places or risk cancellation if they also fail to vote during the two‑election window.
  • The bill formalizes use of certain administrative data (e.g., surrendered licenses, long-term nonvoting) as “reliable information” that can trigger removal procedures, which may increase cancellations from the Qualified Voter File.
  • Notice return as undeliverable leads to an immediate “challenged” status but allows regular ballots if the elector affirms residence at the polling place. The rescission of prior absent voter applications may affect voters who move but expect to continue receiving AV ballots.

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

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