2010 Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapter 168 - MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW
Act 116 of 1954 - MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW (168.1 - 168.992)
116-1954-XXIII - CHAPTER XXIII REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS (168.491...168.530)
Section 168.523a - Individual not listed on voter registration list; issuance of ballot; procedure.

MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW (EXCERPT)
Act 116 of 1954

168.523a Individual not listed on voter registration list; issuance of ballot; procedure.

Sec. 523a.

(1) If an individual who has applied to register to vote on or before the close of registration appears at a polling place on election day and completes an application under section 523 is not listed on the voter registration list, the election inspector shall issue a ballot to the individual as follows:

(a) For an individual who presents a receipt issued by a department of state office, a designated voter registration agency, or the elector's county, city, or township clerk's office verifying the acceptance of a voter registration application before the close of registration and completes a new voter registration application, the election inspector shall allow the individual to vote a ballot in the same manner as an elector whose name is listed on the voter registration list.

(b) For an individual who does not present a receipt verifying the acceptance of a voter registration application under subdivision (a), the election inspector shall determine whether the individual is in the appropriate polling place based on residence information provided by the individual. The election inspector shall review any documents or maps in the polling place or communicate with the city or township clerk to verify the appropriate polling place for the individual. The election inspector shall direct an individual who is not in the appropriate polling place to the appropriate polling place. If the individual refuses to go to the appropriate polling place, the election inspector shall issue the individual a provisional ballot that shall be processed according to subsection (5).

(2) Except for an individual who produces a receipt under subsection (1)(a), the election inspector shall require an individual who is not listed on the voter registration list to execute a sworn statement affirming that the individual submitted a voter registration application before the close of registration and is eligible to vote in the election. An individual who provides false information in a signed sworn statement under this subsection is guilty of perjury. An individual signing a sworn statement shall complete a new voter registration application. The individual shall state the approximate date and in what manner the registration application was submitted:

(a) To a department of state office.

(b) To a designated voter registration agency.

(c) To the office of his or her county, city, or township clerk.

(d) By a mailed application.

(3) The election inspector shall contact the city or township clerk to verify whether the individual who signed the sworn statement is listed in the registration records of the jurisdiction or whether there is any information contrary to the content of the sworn statement.

(4) If the city or township clerk verifies the elector information and finds no information contrary to the information provided by the individual in the sworn statement and the individual presents a Michigan operator's or chauffeur's license, department of state issued personal identification card, other government issued photo identification card, or a photo identification card issued by an institution of higher education in this state described in section 6 of article VIII of the state constitution of 1963 or a junior college or community college established under section 7 of article VIII of the state constitution of 1963 that contains a current residence address to establish his or her identity and residence address, the individual shall be permitted to vote a provisional ballot on election day. Before the provisional ballot is tabulated on election day, election inspectors shall process the ballot as a challenged ballot under sections 745 and 746.

(5) If the election inspector is not able to contact the city or township clerk, the individual is not in the correct precinct, the individual presents identification other than a Michigan operator's or chauffeur's license, department of state issued personal identification card, other government issued photo identification card, or a photo identification card issued by an institution of higher education in this state described in section 6 of article VIII of the state constitution of 1963 or a junior college or community college established under section 7 of article VIII of the state constitution of 1963 that contains a current residence address, or the individual is unable to present any identification, the individual shall be issued a provisional ballot that is not tabulated on election day but is secured for verification after the election. A provisional ballot shall also be issued under this subsection to a voter who presents a Michigan operator's license, chauffeur's license, department of state personal identification card, other government issued photo identification card, or a photo identification card issued by an institution of higher education in this state described in section 6 of article VIII of the state constitution of 1963 or a junior college or community college established under section 7 of article VIII of the state constitution of 1963 that does not bear the voter's current residence address, if the voter also presents a document to establish the voter's current residence address. The election inspector shall accept a document containing the name and current residence address of the voter as sufficient documentation to issue a provisional ballot if it is 1 of the following documents:

(a) A current utility bill.

(b) A current bank statement.

(c) A current paycheck, government check, or other government document.

(6) A provisional ballot shall be placed in a provisional ballot return envelope prescribed by the secretary of state and delivered to the city or township clerk after the polls close in a manner as prescribed by the secretary of state.

(7) For a provisional ballot voted under subsection (4), the election inspector shall provide the voter with a notice that his or her ballot has been tabulated. For a provisional ballot voted under subsection (5), the election inspector shall provide the voter with a notice that the voter's information will be verified by the clerk of the jurisdiction within 6 days after the election to determine whether the ballot will be tabulated and, if the ballot is not tabulated, to determine the reason it was not tabulated. A clerk of a jurisdiction shall provide a free access system for the voter to determine whether the ballot was tabulated. The free access system may include a telephone number that does not require a toll charge, a toll-free telephone number, an internet website, or a mailed notice.

(8) As used in this section and sections 813 and 829, “provisional ballot” means a special ballot utilized for an individual who is not listed on the voter registration list at the polling place that is tabulated only after verification of the individual's eligibility to vote.

History: Add. 2004, Act 92, Imd. Eff. Apr. 26, 2004
Popular Name: Election Code