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SB 696

Elections: scheduling; reference to August election date in 1846 PA 16; revise to May election date. Amends sec. 2a of 1846 RS 16 (MCL 41.2a). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0691'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Veronica Klinefelt and 1 co-sponsor

SB 696 updates Michigan election law to replace an outdated August election date reference with a May date in 1846 statutory code.

referred to Committee on Election Integrity
#elections:primary #elections:scheduling #townships:other
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 696

Legislative bill overview

SB 696 updates Michigan election law by changing a reference in the 1846 Revised Statutes from an August election date to a May election date in Section 2a of MCL 41.2a. This appears to be a technical correction updating outdated statutory language that has likely been superseded by more recent election timing changes.

Why is this important

Election date references embedded in foundational statutes can create confusion or legal ambiguity if not aligned with current practice. Correcting these outdated references prevents potential conflicts between old and new election laws and ensures the legal code accurately reflects how elections are actually administered. This type of housekeeping legislation prevents future litigation over conflicting statutory provisions.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope clarity: The bill's purpose statement is vague—it's unclear whether this is purely technical cleanup or signals a substantive shift in Michigan's election calendar that wasn't explained to the public
  • Stakeholder impact: Without knowing the full context, it's unclear if changing to May dates affects voter participation patterns, volunteer availability, or coordination with federal election timelines
  • Legislative process: The bill provides no fiscal analysis or detailed explanation of why this change is necessary now, making it difficult to assess whether the change serves a legitimate purpose or represents a political priority

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

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