2003 Senate Bill 350 / 2004 Public Act 96

Introduced in the Senate

March 27, 2003

Introduced by Sen. Cameron Brown (R-16)

To require specific printed notices, on ballots and on placards at the polling place, informing voters of their ability to get assistance and to get replacement ballots if they make an error.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Reform

Dec. 11, 2003

Reported without amendment

Feb. 10, 2004

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one establishing new information posting requirements for poling places. See Senate-passed bill for details.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

To require the Secretary of State to provide local election clerks with posters that contain the hours the polls would be open; voting instructions; information on provisional ballots; information on identification requirements for voters who register by mail; instructions on what to do about alleged voting rights violations; information on voter fraud and misrepresentation laws; information on how to challenge another voter as unqualified to vote; and other information that the Secretary of State considered necessary. Local officials in each precinct would have to post these in a conspicuous place.

Received in the House

Feb. 10, 2004

Referred to the Committee on Local Government and Urban Policy

Feb. 17, 2004

Reported without amendment

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

March 9, 2004

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one containing technical changes that do not affect its substance as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

March 11, 2004

Passed in the House 102 to 0 (details)

To require the Secretary of State to provide local election clerks with posters that contain the hours the polls would be open; voting instructions; information on provisional ballots; information on identification requirements for voters who register by mail; instructions on what to do about alleged voting rights violations; information on voter fraud and misrepresentation laws; information on how to challenge another voter as unqualified to vote; and other information that the Secretary of State considered necessary. Local officials in each precinct would have to post these in a conspicuous place.

Received in the Senate

March 16, 2004

April 21, 2004

Amendment offered by Sen. Bob Emerson (D-27)

To include in this bill the provisions of Senate Bill 432 related to making polling places accessible for persons with disabilities. Reportedly, Democrats want the governor to veto that bill because of provisions related to challenged voters and because it does not include a no-reason absentee voting provision. However, the disabled voter provisions of SB 432 may be necessary for Michigan to comply with the federal “Help America Vote Act” (HAVA), which brings with it federal money for new voting machines.

The amendment failed 16 to 22 (details)

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

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

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

May 7, 2004