2010 Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapter 168 - MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW
Act 116 of 1954 - MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW (168.1 - 168.992)
116-1954-XXVIII - CHAPTER XXVIII HOLDING OF ELECTIONS (168.641...168.799a)
Section 168.642 - Regular election or regular primary election; effective date.

MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW (EXCERPT)
Act 116 of 1954

168.642 Regular election or regular primary election; effective date.

Sec. 642.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section and section 642a, on the effective date of this act, a city shall hold its regular election or regular primary election as follows:

(a) A city shall hold its regular election for a city office at the odd year general election.

(b) A city shall hold its regular election primary at the odd year primary election.

(c) A city that holds its regular election for a city office annually or in the even year on the November regular election date shall continue holding elections on that schedule.

(d) A city that holds its regular election primary for a city office annually or in the even year on the August regular primary election date shall continue holding primary elections on that schedule.

(2) If, on September 1, 2004, a city holds its regular election at other than a regular November election date, the city council may choose to hold the regular election on the May regular election date by adopting a resolution in compliance with this section. Except as provided in section 642a, if a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with this section to hold its regular election on the May regular election date, after December 31, 2004, the city's regular election is on the May regular election date. If a city's regular election is held on the May regular election date, the city's regular election primary shall be held on the February regular election date immediately before its regular election.

(3) If, on September 1, 2004, a city holds its regular election annually or in the even year on the November regular election date, the city council may choose to hold the regular election at the odd year general election by adopting a resolution in compliance with this section. Except as provided in section 642a, if a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with this section to hold its regular election at the odd year general election, after December 31, 2004, the city's regular election is at the odd year election. If a city's regular election is held at the odd year general election, the city's regular election primary shall be held at the odd year primary election.

(4) If, on September 1, 2004, a city holds its regular election annually on the November regular election date, the city council may choose to hold the regular election at the even year general election by adopting a resolution in compliance with this section. Except as provided in section 642a, if a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with this section to hold its regular election at the even year general election, after December 31, 2004, the city's regular election is at the even year election. If a city's regular election is held at the even year general election, the city's regular election primary shall be held at the even year primary election.

(5) If, on September 1, 2004, a city holds its regular election primary at the September primary election, the city council may choose to continue holding its regular election primary at the September primary election by adopting a resolution in compliance with this section. Except as provided in section 642a(2), if a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with this section to hold its regular election primary at the September primary election, after December 31, 2004, the city's regular election primary is at the September primary election.

(6) Except as otherwise provided in this section and section 642a, on September 1, 2004, a village shall hold its regular election as follows:

(a) A village shall hold its regular election for a village office at the general election and the appropriate township clerk shall conduct the election.

(b) A village shall not hold a regular primary election.

(7) A village council may make a 1-time choice to hold the regular election at the September primary election by adopting a resolution in compliance with this section. Except as provided in section 642a, if a village council adopts the resolution in compliance with this section to hold its regular election at the September primary election, after December 31, 2004, the village's regular election is at the September primary election and the village clerk shall conduct the election. The resolution may provide for the terms of office and for staggered terms. If a village's regular or special election is held in conjunction with another election conducted by a township, the village shall pay the township a proportionate share of the election expenses. If a village's regular or special election is not held in conjunction with another election conducted by a township, the village shall pay the township 100% of the actual costs of conducting the village's regular or special election. The township shall make voting equipment available to a village if the village conducts an election. If the village is located in more than 1 township, the township with the largest number of village electors shall furnish the voting equipment.

(8) Except as otherwise provided in this section and section 642a, on September 1, 2004, a school district shall hold its regular election for the office of school board member at the odd year general election.

(9) If, on September 1, 2004, a school district holds its regular election at other than the odd year general election, the school district's school board may choose to hold its regular election on 1 of the following by adopting a resolution in compliance with this section:

(a) The odd year May regular election date.

(b) The November regular election date in both even and odd years.

(c) The May regular election date in both even and odd years.

(10) A resolution permitted under this section or section 642a is valid only if a city council, village council, or school board adopts the resolution in compliance with all of the following:

(a) The resolution is adopted before 1 of the following:

(i) If the resolution is permitted under subsection (2), (3), (4), (5), (7), or (9) of this section, January 1, 2005.

(ii) If the resolution is permitted under section 642a(1), (2), or (3), January 1 of the year in which the change in the date of the election takes effect.

(b) Before adopting the resolution, the council or school board holds at least 1 public hearing on the resolution. The public hearing may be held on the same day and immediately before considering the adoption of the resolution.

(c) The council or school board gives notice of each public hearing on the resolution in a manner designed to reach the largest number of the jurisdiction's qualified electors in a timely fashion, and the notice states at least the following, as applicable:

(i) That the hearing is being held on the issue of whether to schedule the city's regular election on the May regular election date and that, if the resolution is not adopted, the city's regular election will be held at the odd year general election.

(ii) That the hearing is being held on the issue of whether to schedule the city's regular election primary at the September primary election and that, if the resolution is not adopted, the city's regular election primary will be held on the odd year primary election.

(iii) That the hearing is being held on the issue of whether to schedule the village's regular election at the September primary election and that, if the resolution is not adopted, the village's regular election will be held at the general election.

(iv) That the hearing is being held on the issue of whether to schedule the school district's regular election at other than the odd year general election and that, if the resolution is not adopted, the school district's regular election will be held at the odd year general election. The notice shall specifically state the regular election date permitted under subsection (8) on which the school board is proposing that the school district's regular election be held.

(v) That the hearing is being held on the issue of whether to schedule the school district's regular election at the odd year general election and that, if the resolution is not adopted, the school district's regular election will continue to be held on the date on which it is currently being held.

(d) The council or school board votes on the resolution and, on a record roll call vote, a majority of the council's or school board's members, elected or appointed, and serving, adopt the resolution.

(e) The council or school board files the resolution with the secretary of state.

(11) This section takes effect September 1, 2004.

History: Add. 2003, Act 302, Eff. Sept. 1, 2004 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 292, Eff. Sept. 1, 2004
Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 168.642, which pertained to biennial spring elections, was repealed by Act 56 of 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., Eff. Mar. 24, 1964.
Popular Name: Election Code