Bill > SB0820

This bill allows for the consolidation of election precincts, which are the geographic areas where voters cast their ballots, for certain local elections that are not statewide or federal elections, such as general November elections or primaries immediately preceding them. The bill amends Michigan election law to permit county, city, ward, township, or village election commissioners to combine precincts if they determine it's appropriate, considering factors like the number of choices voters have, past voter turnout, the distance between polling places, and public transportation access. These consolidated precincts must not contain more than 15,000 active registered electors, an increase from the previous limit of 5,000. Any consolidation must be finalized at least 60 days before an election, and if polling places are not in the same building, affected voters must be notified by mail or another method ensuring actual notice, and a notice must be posted at each original precinct's polling place. The bill also clarifies that consolidated precincts must be treated as a single unit and not divided.