2023 House Bill 4594

Mackinac Center Analysis

House Bill 4594 would amend the Michigan Election Law to provide for an online tracking system that notifies absentee voters of the status of their absent voter ballot application or absent voter ballot. Michigan currently has an absentee ballot tracking system that voters can use to check their registration status, the date an absentee ballot application was received by a clerk, the date a ballot was sent by the clerk, and the date the ballot was received by the clerk. The Michigan Election Law requires city and township clerks to use this ballot tracker system when possible. Ballot Proposal 22-2 amended the state constitution to require the state to establish and fund a system to track submitted absent voter ballot applications and absent voter ballots. Voters must also be able to opt in to electronic notifications that provide updates on the status of a voter’s submitted application or ballot, notifications of any deficiency with a voter’s submitted application or ballot, and instructions for addressing any such deficiencies.