A bill to allow local communities to enter into written agreements with other local governmental units for election activities passed the Michigan House of Representatives yesterday and now heads to the senate. HB 4878 would allow a city or township clerk to enter into a written contract with the county or another city or township to handle election administration duties such as handling absent voter ballot applications/ballots and processing voter registrations and maintenance of the qualified voter file.  Two communities (city or township) could also enter into a contract to prepare and conduct election day operations.  The governing body of each of the participating units would have to approve the action by resolution in order for the written agreement to be entered into.  A local unit can terminate this agreement with 60 days written notice to the other participating party.

This legislation also allows a local governmental unit to approve the bureau of elections or a county, city or township to handle an election if the office of the clerk becomes vacant in close proximity to an election.

Nikki Brown is a legislative associate with the League handling economic development issues.  She can be reached at nbrown@mml.org or 517-908-0305.