HB 4992 Summary

• Requires candidates filing for federal, state, county, city, township, village, or school district office to file an affidavit of identity listing their name, address, citizenship status, and years of residence, with candidates nominated at conventions having one business day to file.

• Mandates that candidates disclose on the affidavit of identity any names used that differ from their birth name, with limited exceptions for name changes over 10 years old, naturalization changes, marriage, divorce, or common law names.

• Establishes standardized ballot marking instructions for primary, general, nonpartisan, and special elections to be printed on or included in ballot secrecy sleeves, specifying use of black or blue ink pens only and prohibiting marking instructions other than those prescribed.

• Requires ballot marking instructions to be included with absent voter ballots and establishes procedures for absent voters to return ballots by mail, personal delivery, family member delivery, or clerk pickup before 5 p.m. on Friday before election day.

• Modifies the 2012 state political party convention timing requirement to commence not less than 58 days before the general November election (instead of the standard 60 days).