2023 Senate Bill 470 / Public Act 193

Elections: absent voters; electronic return of absent voter ballots by uniformed services voters; amend start date.

An act to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled “An act to reorganize, consolidate, and add to the election laws; to provide for election officials and prescribe their powers and duties; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, state agencies, and state and local officials and employees; to provide for the nomination and election of candidates for public office; to provide for the resignation, removal, and recall of certain public officers; to provide for the filling of vacancies in public office; to provide for and regulate primaries and elections; to provide for the purity of elections; to guard against the abuse of the elective franchise; to define violations of this act; to provide appropriations; to prescribe penalties and provide remedies; and to repeal certain acts and all other acts inconsistent with this act,” by amending section 759a (MCL 168.759a), as amended by 2023 PA 25.

Senate Fiscal Agency Analysis

Senate Bill 470 would amend the Michigan Election Law to delay the implementation of electronic voting for certain members of the military to September 1, 2025. Under current law, electronic voting does not begin until 2024.

Introduced in the Senate

Sept. 7, 2023

Introduced by Sen. Paul Wojno (D-10)

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics

Sept. 13, 2023

Reported without amendment

Sept. 14, 2023

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Sept. 26, 2023

Reported without amendment

Sept. 27, 2023

Amendment offered by Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-24)

1. Amend page 3, line 29, by striking out “September 1, 2025,” and inserting “July 1, 2024,”.

2. Amend page 6, line 13, after “beginning” by striking out “September 1, 2025,” and inserting “July 1, 2024,”.

3. Amend page 9, line 14, after “than” by striking out “September 1, 2025,” and inserting “July 1, 2024,”.

The amendment failed 17 to 21 (details)

Passed in the Senate 21 to 17 (details)

Received in the House

Sept. 27, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

Oct. 12, 2023

Discharged from committee

Amendment offered by Rep. Thomas Kuhn (R-57)

1. Amend page 3, line 29, by striking out “September 1, 2025,” and inserting “July 1, 2024,”.

2. Amend page 6, line 13, after “beginning” by striking out “September 1, 2025,” and inserting “July 1, 2024,”.

3. Amend page 9, line 14, after “than” by striking out “September 1, 2025,” and inserting “July 1, 2024,”.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 56 to 54 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-9)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Nov. 7, 2023