2001 House Bill 5335 / 2002 Public Act 163

Introduced in the House

Oct. 23, 2001

Introduced by Rep. Andrew Richner (R-1)

To require that a notification be sent to all candidates regarding a request for a clarifying ballot designation by one candidate who’s name is similar to the name of another. In the case of candidates with similar names who are related, a candidate who is an incumbent would not have the office held printed on ballots as a clarifying designation as is the case under current law, but would instead have his or her address and age printed. The bill would also require that for a candidate whose name has been changed in the last ten years, both the current and former name would be printed on the ballot.

Referred to the Committee on Redistricting and Elections

Dec. 4, 2001

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with a version recommended by the committee which reported it. The substitute incorporates changes resulting from committee testimony and deliberation. These changes do not affect the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Dec. 6, 2001

Passed in the House 100 to 0 (details)

Received in the Senate

Dec. 6, 2001

To require that a notification be sent to all candidates regarding a request for a clarifying ballot designation by one candidate who’s name is similar to the name of another. In the case of candidates with similar names who are related, a candidate who is an incumbent would not have the office held printed on ballots as a clarifying designation as is the case under current law, but would instead have his or her address and age printed. The bill would also require that for a candidate whose name has been changed in the last ten years, both the current and former name would be printed on the ballot.

April 9, 2002

Amendment offered by Sen. Dan DeGrow (R-27)

To prohibit a special mayoral election in Flint until a state panel investigating the city’s finances has completed its work. (A mayoral special election is required because of the recall of the former mayor. The city is facing a $38 million budget deficit, and the governor has assigned a state financial review team to investigate the city’s financial situation).

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 35 to 0 (details)

To require that a notification be sent to all candidates regarding a request for a clarifying ballot designation by one candidate who’s name is similar to the name of another. In the case of candidates with similar names who are related, a candidate who is an incumbent would not have the office held printed on ballots as a clarifying designation as is the case under current law, but would instead have his or her address and age printed. The bill would also require that for a candidate whose name has been changed in the last ten years, both the current and former name would be printed on the ballot. The bill was amended to prohibit a special mayoral election in Flint until a state financial review panel investigating the city’s finances has completed its work.

Received in the House

April 9, 2002

Passed in the House 97 to 6 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill, which was amended to prohibit a special mayoral election in Flint until a state panel investigating the city’s finances has completed its work.

Received in the Senate

April 9, 2002

Signed by Gov. John Engler

April 9, 2002