2018 Senate Bill 1238 / Public Act 603

Prescribe rules for early voting, same-day registration, more

Introduced in the Senate

Nov. 29, 2018

Introduced by Sen. Mike Kowall (R-15)

To prescribe details of rules needed to implement the election-day registration and early voting provisions enacted by voter approval of 2018 Proposal 3. That measure eliminated the requirement to register to vote at least 30 days before an election; authorized “no reason” absentee ballot voting for all voters; mail-in voter registration; automatic registration with drivers license or state ID interactions; and a straight-ticket voting option. The bill is part of a package comprised of Senate Bills 1238 to 1244, and is reportedly intended to prevent a future Secretary of State from potentially making partisan choices in the many parts of state election laws where important details are left to the discretion of state officials and agency-promulgated rules.

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Government Reform

Dec. 6, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Passed in the Senate 26 to 10 (details)

Received in the House

Dec. 6, 2018

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics

Dec. 19, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 20, 2018

Passed in the House 57 to 51 (details)

To prescribe details of rules needed to implement the election-day registration and early voting provisions enacted by voter approval of 2018 Proposal 3. That measure eliminated the requirement to register to vote at least 30 days before an election; authorized “no reason” absentee ballot voting for all voters; mail-in voter registration; automatic registration with drivers license or state ID interactions; and a straight-ticket voting option. The bill is part of a package comprised of Senate Bills 1238 to 1244, and is reportedly intended to prevent a future Secretary of State from potentially making partisan choices in the many parts of state election laws where important details are left to the discretion of state officials and agency-promulgated rules.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 20, 2018

Passed in the Senate 26 to 12 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 28, 2018