HB 6443 Summary

• Changes filing fee for county commissioner candidates from refundable to nonrefundable, with fee deposited in county general fund for voting equipment purchases and maintenance.

• Replaces mandatory language ("shall") with permissive language ("must") throughout sections 11 and 11a regarding candidate residency requirements, partisan elections, and petition filing procedures.

• Maintains $100.00 filing fee requirement as alternative to nominating petition signatures for candidates seeking nomination on primary ballot.

• Specifies that nonrefundable filing fees must be used exclusively for purchase and maintenance of voting equipment rather than being returned to nominated candidates.

• Preserves eligibility restrictions preventing individuals convicted of election law violations (MCL 38.412a) from serving as county commissioner for 20 years after conviction.