LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Michigan Senate Elections panel has approved an election bill to move ahead to the full Michigan senate that seeks to change where voting locations can be set up.

HB 6071, a bill sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), would allow polling locations in any privately owned banquet or conference centers or recreation clubhouses as long as they aren’t owned by a candidate for office or someone who runs a political action committee.

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Currently, under Section 662 of the Law, the legislative body in each city, village and township must designate and prescribe the place or places of holding an election for a city, village or township election.

Historically, polling places have been located at churches, schools, police stations and other publicly owned buildings because that’s what the law requires. It also allows polling places in buildings that are owned or controlled by a non-profit 501(c)3 organization as well as a facility or apartment building/complex where 150 persons or more aged 62-years-old and older reside.

If it’s not possible or convenient to use a public building, Bollin wants a township or city to have more choices and says this reform “has long been a priority for Michigan’s municipal clerks.”

Bollin, who worked as a former Brighton Township clerk, sponsored the legislation to “help local communities that are struggling to find suitable locations to conduct elections” and says that that bill has received “bipartisan support during the legislative process.”

All new polling locations would need to continue to follow the unchanged Section 662 rules including compliance to make all locations accessible for the elderly and handicapped.

The locations used for polling places are tasked every election cycle with meeting the challenge to provide a secure voting place. However, Bollin says that these locations are no longer interested in hosting elections and local clerks are finding it more difficult to secure enough polling places.

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Bollin told Michigan News Source that although there is no outcry to ban elections in schools because of security reasons, she said that “In recent years, there have been more demands placed on our schools with curriculum, shared learning space for computers, small groups, etc.” and that “schools continue to partner with our local clerks and this (new legislation) is just one more tool in the toolbox for our local clerks.”

If the bill passes, this year, it would not be soon enough to go into effect for the November election. Michigan law does now allow a city, village or township to establish, move or abolish a polling place less than 60 days before an election unless necessary because a polling place has been damaged, destroyed or rendered inaccessible or unable as a polling place.

Bollin said about future election legislation that might come down the pike, “We will continue to advance reforms to ensure eligible voters can vote freely, secretly, independently and securely.”