MI SB0951

Requires petition sponsors to submit constitutional amendment or legislation initiative petitions to the director of elections for review before circulation, accompanied by a printer's affidavit certifying compliance with type size requirements.

Director of elections must review petition form for formatting compliance and determine if any subject matter statement fairly reflects the proposal, then prepare a written report for the board of state canvassers.

Board of state canvassers must meet within 30 days to approve or reject the petition form; if rejected, the motion must specify deficiencies and petition sponsor may correct and resubmit for reconsideration.

Petition sponsor may only circulate petition after board approval; any signatures dated before approval are invalid, and if board fails to act within 30 days, sponsor may proceed with circulation.

Restricts review to petition formatting and statement accuracy only—substance of proposal is not subject to review—and prohibits altering approved petition forms except for tear-off sheets; aggrieved parties may appeal to Michigan Court of Appeals on expedited basis.