2024 House Bill 5551

Elections: canvassing; eligibility requirements for members of the board of state canvassers and boards of county canvassers; modify.

A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled “Michigan election law,” by amending sections 22c and 24b (MCL 168.22c and 168.24b), section 22c as added by 1995 PA 261.

Official record

House Fiscal Agency Analysis

House Bill 5551 would amend the Michigan Election Law to prohibit an individual from serving on the Board of State Canvassers (BSC) or on a board of county canvassers if they have been convicted of certain election crimes. Currently, individuals are appointed to the BSC to serve a four-year term from a list of five nominees from each political party—three from the state party and two from the legislature. Individuals are appointed to county canvass boards for a four-year term from a list of three nominees submitted by each party. (During the appointment process, county boards of commissioners may request a nominee to provide information on whether they have been convicted of a felony or an election crime but are not required to do so.) Under House Bill 5551, an individual would be disqualified from serving either as a member of the Board of State Canvassers or as a member of a board of county canvassers if they have been convicted of an elections-related offense.

Introduced in the House

March 6, 2024

Introduced by Rep. Noah Arbit (D-20) and 34 co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Reps. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-75), Alabas Farhat (D-3), Erin Byrnes (D-15), Jasper Martus (D-69), Kristian Grant (D-82), Helena Scott (D-7), Jimmie Wilson (D-32), Mike McFall (D-8), Denise Mentzer (D-61), Joey Andrews (D-38), Betsy Coffia (D-103), Sharon MacDonell (D-56), Felicia Brabec (D-33), Samantha Steckloff (D-19), Kelly Breen (D-21), Jenn Hill (D-109), Veronica Paiz (D-11), Jason Morgan (D-23), Emily Dievendorf (D-77), Kimberly Edwards (D-12), Rachel Hood (D-81), Carrie Rheingans (D-47), Jennifer Conlin (D-48), Jason Hoskins (D-18), Phil Skaggs (D-80), Carol Glanville (D-84), Tyrone Carter (D-1), Amos O’Neal (D-94), Cynthia Neeley (D-70), Natalie Price (D-5), Regina Weiss (D-6), Kara Hope (D-74), Dylan Wegela (D-26) and Laurie Pohutsky (D-17)

Referred to the Committee on Elections

March 19, 2024

Reported without amendment

June 20, 2024

Amendment offered by Rep. Steve Carra (R-36)

1. Amend page 3, following line 10, by inserting:

“Sec. 71. (1) A person Subject to subsection (2), an individual is not eligible to the offices office of secretary of state or attorney general if the person individual is not a registered and qualified elector of this state by the date the person individual is nominated for the office.

(2) An individual is not eligible to the office of secretary of state if that individual has been convicted of an election-related offense, as that term is defined in section 22c, or if that individual has lost a lawsuit involving an election.”.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Substitute H-3 offered by Rep. Noah Arbit (D-20)

The substitute passed by voice vote

Sept. 25, 2024

Passed in the House 56 to 50 (details)

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

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Received in the Senate

Oct. 2, 2024

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics