HB 5988 Summary

• State shall reimburse counties, cities, and townships for election mail postage costs upon presentation and approval of verified accounts of actual costs to the secretary of state.

• Local election clerks must include prepaid postage on all absent voter ballot application return envelopes and absent voter ballot return envelopes to be eligible for reimbursement.

• Counties, cities, and townships must submit verified accounts of actual costs with USPS certifications or receipts to the secretary of state no later than 90 days after the end of their fiscal year.

• State shall approve or disapprove all or a portion of verified accounts within 90 days of receipt and must provide written notice of disapproval with reasons; the state shall review disapproved costs upon request.

• "Election mail" covered by reimbursement includes voter registration cards, absent voter ballot applications, absent voter ballot application return envelopes, absent voter ballots, and absent voter ballot return envelopes.