Mich. Admin. Code R. 168.774 - Preparation of ballots and ballot labels

Rule 4.

(1) On a ballot card used after the effective date of these rules, the words "OFFICIAL BALLOT CARD" shall be printed on the face of the detachable stub. The ballot card shall have a corner cut on 1 corner.

(2) The following statement shall be printed or stamped on the back of the stub on official ballot cards in boldface capital letters:

STOP WRONG SIDE TURN CARD OVER

(3) The precinct or absent voter counting board number shall be printed, stamped, written, or punched on each ballot card used in an election to designate the precinct or county board from which it originated.

(4) A combination ballot card and write-in ballot to be used in an election shall be approved by the board of state canvassers.

(5) A ballot envelope to be used in an election shall be approved by the board of state canvassers and shall satisfy all of the following requirements:

(a) Be made of paper of a sufficient size, weight, and design to preserve the secrecy of the ballot card.

(b) Have an inner pocket into which the ballot card may be inserted.

(c) Display printed instructions as to the method of inserting the ballot card after voting, and if the ballot envelope is to be used for write-ins, shall display instructions and space for casting a write-in vote.

(6) The number of ballot cards and envelopes required to be printed and distributed to each precinct shall:

(a) For the general election, be a number equal to the number of registered voters as of the close of registration.

(b) For a primary election, be not less than a number equal to the total number of votes cast in the most recent corresponding primary election plus 25%.

(c) For a special or local election, be a number determined by the local clerk.

(7) A question, proposal, or proposition shall be placed last on the ballot label following the names of candidates and shall be placed in the following order: state, county, local. An exemption from this requirement may be obtained prior to the election from the secretary of state in writing.

(8) For a general election, the name of the party which a candidate represents shall be printed along with the name of the candidate.

(9) The names of candidates on ballot labels shall be rotated as follows:

(a) For a primary election, the names under each office shall be rotated when there are more names than there are candidates to be nominated for office.

(b) For a general election, the names of partisan candidates under the title of each office shall not be rotated.

(c) In any election, the names of nonpartisan candidates shall be rotated when there are more names than there are candidates to be elected for the office.

(d) Rotation shall be by precinct in the manner provided by law for voting machines.

(e) Rotation shall be throughout the local unit of government preparing the labels.

(f) When absent voter ballots are to be processed in the precinct, the rotation shall be the same as in that precinct.

(g) When absent voter ballot cards are to be processed by an absent voter counting board, the rotation may be either by precinct using each absent voter counting board as a separate precinct, or by individual ballot in the same manner as paper ballots. In the latter instance, the punch number assigned to a candidate which corresponds to the respective position number on the ballot card shall be rotated with the candidate's name.

(10) Voting instructions shall be printed on the first page of the ballot label. The ballot label shall contain instructions as to where the voter is to continue voting. Additional instructions which conform with the act may be printed on the ballot label.

(11) Absent voter instruction ballots which are used in conjunction with a ballot card shall be printed in plain, clear type and contain instructions for voting. There shall be printed in boldface type alongside each candidate's name and the choice for each measure, a number which corresponds to the respective position number on the ballot card. The words "ABSENT VOTER INSTRUCTION BALLOT" shall appear at the head of the absent voter instruction ballot. An absent voter instruction ballot may be a facsimile of the ballot label used in the absent voter's precinct. Arrows placed on the ballot labels may be omitted from the absent voter instruction ballot.

(12) When a state office or question appears on the ballot, the county election commission shall forward to the secretary of state for approval 2 copies of an instruction ballot or ballot label, 2 copies of an absent voter instruction ballot including all instructions forwarded to absent voters, 2 copies of a ballot card, and 2 copies of a ballot envelope.

Notes

Mich. Admin. Code R. 168.774

1979 AC