HB 4821 Summary

• Increases the base recount deposit fee from $10.00 to $25.00 per precinct for candidates or electors filing recount petitions at the local board of canvassers level.

• Increases the higher recount deposit fee from $10.00 to $125.00 per precinct when the vote margin exceeds 50 votes or 0.5% of total votes cast (whichever is greater) for single-seat races, multi-seat races, or ballot proposals.

• Applies the same deposit increases ($25.00 base, $125.00 higher threshold) to state-level recount petitions filed with the state bureau of elections under sections 879 and 880.

• Refunds deposits to petitioners who establish sufficient fraud or mistake to change election results, and refunds deposits for precincts deemed "not recountable" or not recounted due to petition withdrawal (unless ballots were already examined and recounted).

• Non-refunded deposits at the local level go to county, city, township, or village treasurers; at the state level, proportionate shares go to county treasurers based on the number of precincts recounted.