MI HB5141

Allows city and township clerks to enter into agreements with other local governments, at least 75 days before an election, to establish combined absent voter counting boards or to have one jurisdiction process ballots for another in the same county.

Permits combined absent voter counting boards to be used for the first time at the November 3, 2020 general election if at least one participating clerk has previously operated such a board, or if an agreement is entered with a county clerk.

Requires agreements to comply with governing body approval procedures and be filed with the county clerk at least 74 days before the election, with exemptions for elections before January 1, 2021 under certain electronic voting system conditions.

Establishes that absent voter ballots received after 4 p.m. on the day before an election must be delivered to the voting precinct on election day rather than to the absent voter counting board.

Requires the Bureau of Elections to develop model agreement language and implementation procedures for these arrangements.