WeVote
Log In

Bill

JA

Bill

HB 6214

Elections: presidential electors; presidential electors who are elected under the agreement among the states to elect the President by national popular vote; clarify. Amends secs. 42, 46 & 842 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.42 et. seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 6213'26

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 40 co-sponsors

Align Michigan’s electors with the national popular vote agreement, detailing how they are selected, certified, transmitted, and updated (including recounts) for timely, secure out

bill electronically reproduced 07/03/2026
#elections:presidentialelectors #state:interstatecompactsandagreements
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 6214

Overview

  • Bill: HB 6214
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: Michigan
  • Topic: Elections; presidential electors under the national popular vote agreement
  • Relationship: Tie bar with HB 6213
  • Purpose: Amend Michigan election law to align the appointment of presidential electors with the national popular vote (NPV) agreement, including procedures for canvassing, certification, and potential recounts, and to implement expedited canvass procedures in certain scenarios.

Main Intent

  • Clarify how Michigan selects and certifies its presidential electors when Michigan participates in the agreement among the states to elect the President by national popular vote.
  • Establish explicit timelines and procedures for canvassing, certification, and transmission of certificates of ascertainment of appointment of electors.
  • Provide for coordination with other member states and the national popular vote winner, including how ties are handled.
  • Allow for expedited canvass and recount-related actions to ensure timely certification and transmission in the context of the NPV agreement.

Key Provisions and Changes

  1. Sec. 42 – Selection and Certification of Electors

    • In years when presidential electors are elected or appointed, each major political party selects a slate of electors equal to the number of Michigan’s U.S. Senators and Representatives.
    • If Michigan participates in the NPV agreement, the electors appointed will be those certified by the party that nominated the national popular vote winner per the agreement.
    • Details on timing for notifying the secretary of state after the state convention.

  2. Sec. 42(3) – Procedures Under the National Popular Vote Agreement

    • Subdivisions outline a multi-step process:
      • (a) After statewide popular election, the board of state canvassers canvasses and determines the outcome solely by the electors’ votes.
      • (b) Final determination of the statewide popular vote for each presidential slate, communicated before the electors convene.
      • (c) Communication to other member states within 24 hours of final determination.
      • (d) Steps to determine and certify the national popular vote winner (or designate a tie) and transmit relevant certifications to the governor and secretary of state.
      • (e) Governor’s duties to certify appointment of electors, issue certificates of ascertainment, and transmit certificates to the Archivist of the United States and to the electors, with specific timing and notice requirements.
  • (d)(ii) Requires certificates to include names of electors, national popular vote totals by slate, and other presidential slate vote totals; must include a security feature.
  • (d)(iii)-(v) Transmission requirements to the Archivist, electors, and secretary of state.

  1. Sec. 42(4) – Governor’s Certification and Potential Recounts

    • If recounts affect the result, Michigan may issue a superseding certificate of ascertainment reflecting certified recount results.
    • Establishes timelines for when a superseding certificate must be issued if ordered by the Supreme Court or if recount results are certified after certain deadlines.
    • Allows for expedited judicial relief to obtain a superseding certificate prior to the electors’ meeting.

  2. Sec. 46 – General Canvass and Certification Timeline (Non-NPV context)

    • Sets standard timelines for the board of state canvassers to meet and complete canvassing within 20 days after an election.
    • Provides expedited canvass options if the vote differential is small (within 25,000) and if the NPV agreement governs appointment in that year.
    • Authorizes expedited canvass for statewide primaries with small vote differentials (1,500 votes or less) and directs cost calculations and potential requests by candidates for expedited canvassing.
    • Requires ministerial duties to certify results based on certified county statements.

  3. Enacting and Tie-Provisions

    • The act includes an enacting clause linking effect to HB 6213 (tie bar).
    • Security features for certificates are specified, with confidentiality provisions.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Statewide offices: Governor, Board of State Canvassers, Secretary of State, Archivist of the United States, and Michigan electors for President and Vice President.
  • Political parties: Responsible for submitting elector slates after conventions.
  • Electors: Certification and ascertainment process determines which slate of electors is appointed.
  • Voters: Michigan residents casting ballots for President and Vice President, particularly in years governed by the NPV agreement.
  • Other member states: Communications and determinations under the NPV agreement, including sharing final determinations of national popular vote totals.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Canvass window: Generally completed within 20 days after the election; expedited canvass available if close race thresholds are met.
  • NPV-specific timing: Final statewide and national determinations must be made and communicated before the electors convene, with multiple steps requiring action not less than six days before the national elector meeting.
  • Certificates: Issuance of certificates of ascertainment and secure transmission to the Archivist, electors, governor, and secretary of state; inclusion of security features.
  • Recounts: If recounts alter results, superseding certificates may be issued to reflect certified outcomes; judicial relief processes are available with expedited timelines to ensure timely certification.
  • Tie handling: If a national popular vote tie occurs under the agreement, the governor must certify the slate determined by the agreement’s tie-protocol.

Summary

HB 6214 modernizes Michigan’s election law to align with the national popular vote agreement, clarifying how electors are selected, certified, and transmitted in NPV scenarios. It creates detailed procedural steps, security features, and timelines to ensure timely and accurate ascertainment of electors, including provisions for recounts and potential superseding certificates. It also maintains standard canvassing procedures while enabling expedited processes when the NPV agreement governs elector appointments. The bill ties to HB 6213 and involves coordination with the governor, board of state canvassers, and state officials to implement these changes.

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

Sign in to ask a question.