Legislation proposed by a local lawmaker has been signed into law.
House Bill 6071 was sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Township) and expands the types of locations that can be used as polling locations for elections. It was signed into law Friday by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Bollin said that the impetus for the bill followed many schools and churches that previously served as polling locations no longer interested in hosting elections, making it more difficult for local clerks to secure enough polling places.
House Bill 6071 expands the options to include a privately owned building such as a banquet center or a recreation clubhouse, as long as the building is not owned by a candidate for office or someone who runs a political action committee.
Bollin said this reform has long been a priority for Michigan’s municipal clerks.
“If a school or a church isn’t able to open its doors for an election, this change will give our local communities other options,” she said.
A copy of HB 6071 can be found here.
