Elections: voting procedures; early voting procedures; provide for, allow processing and tabulation of absent voter ballots during the early voting period, and allow an absent voter to tabulate the absent voter's ballot in person at a polling place or early voting site. Amends secs. 570, 662, 668b, 674, 736b, 736c, 736d, 736e, 764a, 764b, 764d, 765, 765a, 765b, 768, 769, 795b, 797a, 798b & 805 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.570 et seq.); adds secs. 8, 523b, 720a, 720b, 720c, 720d, 720e, 720f, 720g, 720h, 720i, 720j, 765c & 768a & repeals secs. 14b, 24k & 767 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.14b et seq.) TIE BAR WITH: SB 0370'23, HB 4697'23

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Winnie Brinks and 16 co-sponsors

Michigan law now allows election officials to process absentee ballots during early voting and lets voters cast absentee ballots in person at polling places.

ASSIGNED PA 0081'23

#elections:absentvoters #elections:ballots #elections:electionofficials #elections:pollingplaces #elections:voters #elections:votingequipment #elections:votingprocedures

Legislative bill overview

SB 367 modernizes Michigan's voting procedures by allowing election officials to process and count absentee ballots during the early voting period rather than waiting until Election Day. The bill also permits voters to cast absentee ballots in person at polling places and early voting sites, streamlining the absentee voting process while maintaining ballot security protocols.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects how quickly election results can be reported, potentially reducing the multi-day counting periods that have become common in recent elections. It expands voter convenience by offering more flexible options for casting ballots, while the early processing of absentee ballots could reduce administrative burden on election workers on Election Day itself.

Potential points of contention

Election security concerns: Critics may worry that early processing of absentee ballots before Election Day could create vulnerabilities or reduce verification safeguards, though proponents argue procedures remain secure

Implementation capacity: Smaller jurisdictions with limited staff and resources may struggle to implement early voting sites and simultaneous ballot processing without additional funding

Partisan implications: Both parties have competing interests in early vote counting, as it could affect their ability to mobilize late-deciding voters or contest results