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HB 5572

Elections: petitions; statistical random sampling of nominating petition signatures; provide for, and allow for the disqualification of obviously fraudulent nominating petition signatures. Amends sec. 552 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.552).

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 17 co-sponsors

Authorizes statistical sampling to verify nominating petitions and lets the Board of State Canvassers quickly disqualify obviously fraudulent signatures and refer them for investig

vetoed by the Governor 01/17/2025
#elections:electionofficials #elections:petitions #stateagencies(existing):state
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Bill Summary · HB 5572

Summary — HB 5572 (2024–25): Nominating petitions; statistical sampling and disqualification of obviously fraudulent signatures

Status: Vetoed by the Governor (Jan 17, 2025)
Introduced: Mar 13, 2024 (Rep. Donavan McKinney) — Passed both chambers and enrolled; presented to Governor Jan 8, 2025

Purpose / intent

HB 5572 was part of a package of bills (HBs 5571–5576) responding to concerns about large-scale fraudulent petition signatures identified in 2022. The bill’s primary intent was to modernize and codify petition-review procedures for nominating petitions by (1) permitting approved statistical random sampling for canvasses and (2) empowering the Board of State Canvassers (BSC) to disqualify “obviously fraudulent” signatures more quickly and to refer such signatures to the Attorney General for investigation.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes the Board of State Canvassers to approve and use a statistical random sampling methodology to determine the validity and sufficiency of signatures and petition form requirements on nominating petitions (amending MCL 168.552).
  • Allows the BSC to disqualify an “obviously fraudulent” signature without first checking that signature against local registration records or the Qualified Voter File (QVF).
  • Requires the BSC to refer any signature it determines is obviously fraudulent to the Michigan Department of Attorney General for possible investigation.
  • Removes (or modifies) a current requirement that the BSC forward petitions with unverifiable signatures to city or township clerks for local comparison (while retaining the ability to have doubtful signatures checked against registration records or the QVF when appropriate).
  • Establishes accelerated timelines: the BSC must act on complaints within 7 days after a nominating petition is filed or, if statistical random sampling is used, within 7 days after the random sample is made public. County clerks are likewise required to act on complaints within 7 days of filing.
  • Retains mechanisms for local clerks to assist in signature verification, including use of digitized signatures in the QVF where applicable.

Who is affected

  • Board of State Canvassers: gains explicit authority to adopt and use statistical sampling and to disqualify obviously fraudulent signatures.
  • Secretary of State, county/city clerks and the Bureau of Elections: procedural and coordination impacts for reviewing petitions and responding within tightened timeframes.
  • Petition sponsors, circulators, and candidates: potential for faster disqualification of fraudulent signatures and referral for criminal investigation.
  • Attorney General’s office and criminal justice system: possible new referrals and investigative workload if more signatures are flagged as obviously fraudulent.

Fiscal and operational impacts

  • Potential MDOS (Bureau/Secretary of State) staff savings from reduced full-document canvasses due to sampling (indeterminate).
  • Potentially increased costs for the Attorney General, law enforcement, and courts if referrals lead to more investigations/prosecutions (indeterminate; fiscal analyses cite typical probation and prison per-person costs).
  • Local governments could see small administrative impacts related to signature verification.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • The bill amended section 552 of the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.552).
  • It passed the House (June 26, 2024) and Senate (Dec 19, 2024), was enrolled and presented to the Governor Jan 8, 2025, but was vetoed by the Governor on Jan 17, 2025 — therefore it did not become law.

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

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