Bill > HB4819

This bill modifies Michigan election law regarding the vacancy of the office of secretary of state, specifically adding a new provision that creates a vacancy if the incumbent secretary of state seeks another public office. The bill clarifies and reorganizes existing language about when the office of secretary of state or attorney general becomes vacant, expanding the list of circumstances to include more specific and structured language. The circumstances for creating a vacancy now explicitly include the incumbent's death, resignation, removal from office for cause, ceasing to be a state resident, conviction of an infamous crime or oath violation, a court decision voiding the election, or failure to take the constitutional oath. The most significant change is the new subsection stating that if the secretary of state files a nominating petition, is nominated to, or appointed to any other elected or appointed public office, their current office automatically becomes vacant. The bill also maintains the existing requirement that a vacancy must be reported in writing to the governor within 10 days, with the notification to be made by the attorney general if the vacancy is in the secretary of state's office. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for determining and reporting vacancies in these key state offices.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4819