2020 Senate Bill 757 / Public Act 177

Permit early counting of absentee ballots

Introduced in the Senate

Jan. 28, 2020

Introduced by Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-14)

To revise rules on the physical details of absentee ballots with the goal of making it easier to process and count them, and allow clerks in larger communities (above 40,000) to begin opening and processing the ballots the day before an election. See Senate Bill 756, which allows early counting of absentee ballots.

Referred to the Committee on Elections

Feb. 18, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Sept. 15, 2020

Substitute offered by Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-14)

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 34 to 2 (details)

To revise rules on the physical details of absentee ballots with the goal of making it easier to process and count them, and allow clerks in larger communities (above 25,000) to begin opening and processing absentee ballots the day before an election, under rules prescribed by the bill.

Received in the House

Sept. 15, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics

Sept. 23, 2020

Reported without amendment

Refer to the Committee on Ways and Means with the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted.

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

Sept. 24, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-7) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Amendment offered by Rep. Rebekah Warren (D-55)

To allow clerks to start opening absentee ballots on the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday before an election.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Sneller (D-50)

To strip the proposed 25,000 population threshold requirement from the bill's provisions.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 94 to 11 (details)

To revise rules on the physical details of absentee ballots with the goal of making it easier to process and count them, and allow clerks in larger communities (above 25,000) to begin opening and processing absentee ballots the day before an election, under rules prescribed by the bill.

Received in the Senate

Sept. 24, 2020

Passed in the Senate 35 to 2 (details)

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Oct. 6, 2020