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Bill

SB 372

Revises provisions relating to the care of children. (BDR 38-662)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John Steinbeck

SB 372 codifies statewide rules for absent-voter drop boxes, ensuring minimum boxes, secure access, 24/7 availability in the 40 days before elections, and SOS-funded setup.

Approved by the Governor. Chapter 205.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 372

SB 372 — Absent Voter Ballot Drop Box Requirements (amends MCL 168.761d)

Status: Referred to Committee on Elections. Introduced Feb. 13, 2025.

Main purpose

SB 372 would amend Michigan Election Law to implement and detail the statewide requirements for absent‑voter (mail) ballot drop boxes created by Proposal 2022‑2. The bill (S‑2 substitute as reported) codifies minimum numbers, security, access, collection and monitoring rules, assigns procurement responsibilities to the Secretary of State (SOS), and prescribes operational and recordkeeping duties for city and township clerks.

Key provisions and changes

  • Minimum number of drop boxes
    • Each city or township must have at least one drop box.
    • If a jurisdiction has >15,000 registered electors, it must have at least one drop box per 15,000 registered electors (using the count 150 days before the election).
  • SOS procurement and funding
    • SOS must facilitate procurement and distribution of boxes at no cost to a clerk who applies.
    • SOS bears costs for delivery, installation, repair and (as provided) video monitoring.
  • Location and equitable distribution
    • Local clerks must distribute boxes equitably across the jurisdiction, considering population density, transit access, parking, accessibility (including for voters with disabilities), and other relevant factors.
    • Clerks must provide location information to SOS for public posting (map/website).
  • Security, labeling and physical specs
    • Boxes must be clearly labeled for returning completed absent‑voter applications and voted ballots.
    • Boxes (indoor or outdoor) must be securely locked, affixed/bolted to a stationary object, designed to prevent removal of contents, have a single slot/mailbox‑style lever for deposits, and be in well‑lit, visible, publicly accessible locations.
  • Access windows and collection timing
    • Drop boxes must be accessible 24 hours per day during the 40 days before an election and remain accessible until 8:00 p.m. on election day.
    • Only authorized personnel (city/township clerk, deputy, or sworn clerk staff) may collect materials.
    • Collection by authorized personnel must begin 35 days before each election (bill versions reference phased/transition dates for inspections/collection).
  • Video monitoring and inspections
    • Cities/townships must use video monitoring of boxes in certain circumstances; all boxes must be video‑monitored during the 75 days before each election and on election day beginning Jan. 1, 2026 (boxes installed later have earlier monitoring obligations).
    • Clerks must regularly inspect boxes (schedule varies by version but requires inspections during pre‑election periods).
  • Chain‑of‑custody and records
    • Collected envelopes must be returned promptly (typically immediately unless traveling to another box) to clerk’s office and transported in approved ballot containers/secrecy envelope containers.
    • Collection events must be documented; documentation must be retained (committee analyses specify at least 22 months) and include the date and name of collector (the requirement to list counts was removed in amendments).
  • Reporting suspicious activity
    • Clerks must report vandalism or suspicious activity near boxes to local law enforcement.

Who is affected

  • Municipal clerks and their staff: new duties for siting, inspection, collection, documentation and coordination with SOS.
  • Secretary of State: procurement, distribution, and funding responsibilities; hosting drop‑box location information.
  • Voters: broader, guaranteed local access to secure drop boxes (including 24/7 access during the 40‑day pre‑election window).
  • State budget: increased one‑time and ongoing costs to supply, monitor and maintain boxes statewide.

Fiscal impact (estimates from committee analyses)

  • Per‑box average implementation cost (installation, video monitoring, training, staffing): ~$8,100.
  • Initial statewide purchase estimate (~1,800 boxes) ≈ $14.3 million (excludes some staffing).
  • Ongoing annual costs for video storage/maintenance (for ~1,800 boxes): ≈ $2.0 million.
  • Minor additional costs to SOS for maintaining a public map of box locations (absorbable within appropriations).

Timing / procedural notes

  • The bill implements provisions derived from Proposal 2022‑2 (approved by voters Nov. 2022).
  • Several provisions include phased or effective dates (e.g., monitoring requirements become uniform Jan. 1, 2026).
  • Versions and committee reports show amendments refining inspection and collection windows, monitoring scope, and recordkeeping — consult the bill text/amendments for final timing and transitional language.

If you want, I can produce a side‑by‑side comparison of the current law, Proposal 2022‑2 constitutional language, and the specific changes SB 372 would make (including exact statutory text excerpts).

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

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