Townships could soon be able to contract for election administration when their township clerk and deputy clerk are not available to perform the election duties. House Bill 5717, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Wortz (R-Quincy Twp.) and supported by MTA, was overwhelmingly passed (104-4) by the House. Currently, if a township clerk and the deputy clerk are unavailable to perform necessary election functions related to an election, the township board must appoint a qualified person who is a registered elector of the township to perform those functions until the clerk or a deputy resumes their duties. HB 5717 would permit the township board to contract with an individual who is accredited to conduct elections under the act if they live in a reasonable proximity to the township to perform election functions until the township clerk or a deputy resumes those duties or a new township clerk is appointed or elected. The bill has been transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
Michigan Townships Association
