Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 1 D cosponsors

SB 531 — Elections: petitions; process for counting duplicate petition signatures; provide for, and eliminate penalties. Amends secs. 482, 590h, 685, 957 & 958 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.482 et seq.) & adds secs. 482f & 547.

Last action — referred to Committee on Election Integrity

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced November 13, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Advancing 48% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

Elections: petitions; process for counting duplicate petition signatures; provide for, and eliminate penalties. Amends secs. 482, 590h, 685, 957 & 958 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.482 et seq.) & adds secs. 482f & 547.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

500 added · 260 removed

Plain-language change summary

The changes to Bill SB 531 include specific clarifications about how initiative petitions should be formatted and submitted. The updated version now specifies that each section of the petition must clearly indicate its purpose and any changes to the constitution, using standardized headings and print sizes. This matters because it aims to make the petition process clearer and more accessible, helping ensure that voters fully understand what they are being asked to support or oppose.

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SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO.
SB-531, As Passed Senate, November 13, 2025 SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO.
531 A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled "Michigan election law," by amending sections 482, 590h, 685, 957, and 958 (MCL 168.482, 168.590h, 168.685, 168.957, and 168.958), section 482 as amended by PA 608, sections 590h and 685 as amended by 2018 PA 650, and section 957 as amended by 2018 PA 120, and by adding sections 482f and 547.
531 A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled "Michigan election law," by amending sections 482, 544c, 552a, 590h, 685, 957, and 958 (MCL 168.482, 168.544c, 168.552a, 168.590h, 168.685, 168.957, and 168.958), section 482 as amended by 2018 PA 608, sections 544c, 590h, and 685 as amended by 2018 PA 650, section 552a as added by PA 261, and section 957 as amended by 2018 PA 120, and by adding sections 482f and 547.
(2) If the measure to be submitted proposes a constitutional amendment, initiation of legislation, or referendum of legislation, the heading of each part of the petition must be prepared in the STM S00813'25 (S-1) wha937 following form and printed in capital letters in 14-point boldfaced type:
(2) If the measure to be submitted proposes a constitutional amendment, initiation of legislation, or referendum of legislation, STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v the heading of each part of the petition must be prepared in the following form and printed in capital letters in 14-point boldfaced type:
WARNING STM S00813'25 (S-1) wha937 A person An individual who knowingly signs this petition more than once, signs a name other than his or her the individual's own name, signs when if not a qualified and registered elector, or sets opposite his or her the individual's signature on a petition, a date other than the actual date the signature was affixed, is violating the provisions of the Michigan election law.
STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v WARNING A person An individual who knowingly signs this petition more than once, signs a name other than his or her the individual's own name, signs when if not a qualified and registered elector, or sets opposite his or her the individual's signature on a petition, a date other than the actual date the signature was affixed, is violating the provisions of the Michigan election law.
544c.
(1) A nominating petition must be 8-1/2 inches by 14 inches in size.
On a nominating petition, the words "nominating petition" must be printed in 24-point boldface type.
"We, the undersigned," et cetera must be printed in 8-point type.
"Warning" and language in the warning must be printed in 12-point boldface STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v type.
The balance of the petition must be printed in 8-point type.
The name, address, and party affiliation of the candidate and the office for which petitions are signed must be printed in type not larger than 24-point.
The petition must be in the following form:
NOMINATING PETITION (PARTISAN) We, the undersigned, registered and qualified voters of the city or township of ..................
, in the county (strike 1) of ...................
and state of Michigan, nominate, ..............................................................
, (Name of Candidate) ..............................................................
, (Street Address or Rural Route) (City or Township) as a candidate of the ...................
party for the office of ..........................
, ..............................................................
, (District, if any) to be voted for at the primary election to be held on the ............
day of .............
, 20 ........
WARNING A person An individual who knowingly signs more petitions for the same office than there are persons individuals to be elected to the office , signs a petition more than once, or signs a name other than his or her the individual's own is violating the provisions of the Michigan election law.
Printed Street Address Name and or Date of Signing Signature Rural Route Zip Code Mo.
Day Year STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v 1.
_______________________________________________________________ 2.
_______________________________________________________________ 3.
_______________________________________________________________ 4.
_______________________________________________________________ numbered lines as above CERTIFICATE OF CIRCULATOR The undersigned circulator of the above petition asserts that he or she the circulator is 18 years of age or older and a United States citizen;
that each signature on the petition was signed in his or her the circulator's presence;
that he or she has neither caused nor permitted a person to sign the petition more than once and has no knowledge of a person signing the petition more than once;
and that, to his or her the circulator's best knowledge and belief, each signature is the genuine signature of the person individual purporting to sign the petition, the person individual signing the petition was at the time of signing a registered elector of the city or township listed in the heading of the petition, and the elector was qualified to sign the petition.
Circulator—Do not sign or date certificate until after circulating petition.
____ If the circulator is not a resident of Michigan, the circulator shall make a cross or check mark on the line provided, otherwise each signature on this petition sheet is invalid and the signatures will not be counted by a filing official.
By making a cross or check mark on the line provided, the undersigned circulator asserts that he or she the circulator is not a resident of Michigan and agrees to accept the jurisdiction of this state for the purpose of any legal proceeding or hearing that concerns a petition sheet executed by the circulator and agrees that legal STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v process served on the secretary of state or a designated agent of the secretary of state has the same effect as if personally served on the circulator.
________________________________________________ (Printed Name and Signature of Circulator) (Date) ________________________________________________ (Complete (Residence Address including Zip Code) (Street and Number or Rural Route)) Do not enter a post office box ________________________________________________ (City or Township, State, Zip Code) ________________________________________________ (County of Registration, if Registered to Vote, of a Circulator who is not a Resident of Michigan)(If Circulator is not a Resident of Michigan and is Registered to Vote, County and State of Registration) Warning-A circulator knowingly making a false statement in the above certificate, a person an individual not a circulator who signs as a circulator, or a person an individual who signs a name other than his or her the individual's own as circulator is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(2) The petition must be in a form providing a space for the circulator and each elector who signs the petition to print his or her the circulator's or elector's name.
The secretary of state shall prescribe the location of the space for the printed name.
The failure of the circulator or an elector who signs the petition to print his or her the circulator's or elector's name, to print his or her the circulator's or elector's name in the location prescribed by the secretary of state, or to enter a zip code or his STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v or her the circulator's or elector's correct zip code does not affect the validity of the signature of the circulator or the elector who signs the petition.
A printed name located in the space prescribed for printed names does not constitute the signature of the circulator or elector.
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If an elector does not include his or her the elector's signature, his or her the elector's street address or rural route, or the date of signing on the petition as required under subsection (1), the elector's signature is invalid and must not be counted by a filing official.
(3) If the circulator of a petition under section 482, a qualifying petition for an office named in section 590b(4), or a petition to form a new political party under section 685 is not a resident of this state, the circulator shall indicate where provided on the certificate of circulator that he or she the circulator agrees to accept the jurisdiction of this state for the purpose of any legal proceeding or hearing initiated under section 476, 552, 590f(2), or 685 that concerns a petition sheet executed by the circulator and agrees that legal process served on the secretary of state or a designated agent of the secretary of state has the same effect as if personally served on the circulator.
(4) If the secretary of state or a designated agent of the secretary of state is served with legal process as described in subsection (3), the secretary of state shall promptly notify the circulator by personal service or certified mail at the circulator's residential address as indicated in the certificate of circulator.
(5) The circulator of a petition shall sign and date the certificate of circulator before the petition is filed.
A circulator shall not obtain electors' signatures after the STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v circulator has signed and dated the certificate of circulator.
A filing official shall not count electors' signatures that were obtained after the date the circulator signed the certificate or that are contained in a petition that the circulator did not sign and date.
(6) Except as provided in section 544d, a petition sheet must not be circulated in more than 1 city or township and each signer of a petition sheet must be a registered elector of the city or township indicated in the heading of the petition sheet.
The invalidity of 1 or more signatures on a petition does not affect the validity of the remainder of the signatures on the petition.
(7) An individual shall not sign more nominating petitions for the same office than there are persons individuals to be elected to the office.
An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(8) An individual shall not do any of the following:
(a) Sign a petition with a name other than his or her the individual's own.
(b) Make a false statement in a certificate on a petition.
(c) If not a circulator, sign a petition as a circulator.
(d) Sign a name as circulator other than his or her the individual's own.
(9) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (10), an individual who violates subsection (8) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00, or imprisonment for not more than 93 days, or both.
(10) An individual shall not sign a petition with multiple names.
An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony.
STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v (11) If after a canvass and a hearing on a petition under section 476 or 552 the board of state canvassers determines that an individual has knowingly and intentionally failed to comply with subsection (8) or (10), the board of state canvassers may impose 1 or more of the following sanctions:
(a) Disqualify obviously fraudulent signatures on a petition form on which the violation of subsection (8) or (10) occurred, without checking the signatures against local registration records.
(b) Disqualify from the ballot a candidate who committed, aided or abetted, or knowingly allowed the violation of subsection (8) or (10) on a petition to nominate that candidate.
(12) If an individual violates subsection (8) or (10) and the affected petition sheet is filed, each of the following who knew of the violation of subsection (8) or (10) before the filing of the affected petition sheet and who failed to report the violation to the secretary of state, the filing official, if different, the attorney general, a law enforcement officer, or the county prosecuting attorney is guilty of a misdemeanor , punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00, or imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both:
(a) The circulator of the petition, if different than the individual who violated subsection (8) or (10).
(b) If the petition is a nominating petition, the candidate whose nomination is sought.
(c) If the petition is a petition for a ballot question or recall, the organization or other person sponsoring the petition drive.
(13) If after a canvass and a hearing on a petition under section 476 or 552 the board of state canvassers determines that an STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v individual has violated subsection (12), the board of state canvassers may impose 1 or more of the following sanctions:
(a) Impose on the organization or other person sponsoring the petition drive an administrative fine of not more than $5,000.00.
(b) Charge the organization or other person sponsoring the petition drive for the costs of canvassing a petition form on which a violation of subsection (8) or (10) occurred.
(c) Disqualify an organization or other person described in subdivision (a) from collecting signatures on a petition for a period of not more than 4 years.
(d) Disqualify obviously fraudulent signatures on a petition form on which a violation of subsection (8) or (10) occurred without checking the signatures against local registration records.
(e) Disqualify from the ballot a candidate who committed, aided or abetted, or knowingly allowed a violation of subsection (8) or (10) on a petition to nominate that candidate.
(14) If an individual refuses to comply with a subpoena of the board of state canvassers in an investigation of an alleged violation of subsection (8), (10), or (12), the board may hold the canvass of the petitions in abeyance until the individual complies.
(15) A person An individual who aids or abets another in an act that is prohibited by this section is guilty of that act.
(16) The provisions of this section except as otherwise expressly provided apply to all petitions circulated under authority of the election law.
Sec.
552a.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v to the contrary, a petition or a signature is not invalid solely because the designation of city or township has not been made on the petition form if a city and an adjoining township have the same name.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act to the contrary, if a person an individual who signs a petition uses his or her the individual's mailing address on the petition and that mailing address incorporates the political jurisdiction in which the person individual is registered to vote, that signature shall must be counted if the signature is otherwise determined to be genuine and valid under this act.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act to the contrary, if a circulator who signs a petition uses the circulator's mailing address on the petition and that mailing address incorporates the political jurisdiction in which the circulator is registered to vote, the circulator's signature is not invalid solely because the circulator signed the petition with a mailing address rather than a residence address.
Sec.
The petition must STM S00813'25 (S-1) wha937 be in the following form:
The petition must be in the following form:
(strike 1) and state of Michigan, nominate , ............................., (Name of Candidate) ............................................................., (Street Address or R.R.) (City or Township) as a candidate without party affiliation for the office of ...........................................................
(strike 1) and state of Michigan, nominate , ............................., (Name of Candidate) STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v ............................................................., (Street Address or R.R.) (City or Township) as a candidate without party affiliation for the office of ...........................................................
An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of STM S00813'25 (S-1) wha937 a misdemeanor.
An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(d) Sign a name as circulator other than his or her the individual's own name.
STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v (d) Sign a name as circulator other than his or her the individual's own name.
of the one hundred-tenth day before the general November STM S00813'25 (S-1) wha937 election, a certificate signed by the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee bearing the name of the party, together with petitions bearing the signatures of registered and qualified electors equal to not less than 1% of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last election in which a governor was elected.
of the one hundred-tenth day before the general November election, a certificate signed by the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee bearing the name of the party, together with petitions bearing the signatures of registered and qualified electors equal to not less than 1% of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last election in which a governor was elected.
All signatures on the petitions must be obtained not more than 180 days immediately before the date of filing.
All signatures on the STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v petitions must be obtained not more than 180 days immediately before the date of filing.
party on the STM S00813'25 (S-1) wha937 ballot at the ....................
party on the ballot at the ....................
................................
STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v ................................
A disqualified party may again qualify and have the names of its that party's candidates printed in a separate party column on each election ballot in the manner set forth in STM S00813'25 (S-1) wha937 subsection (1) for the qualification of new parties.
A disqualified party may again qualify and have the names of its that party's candidates printed in a separate party column on each election ballot in the manner set forth in subsection (1) for the qualification of new parties.
(8) An individual shall not knowingly sign a petition to organize more than 1 new state political party.
(8) An individual shall not knowingly sign a petition to STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v organize more than 1 new state political party.
(12) If an individual signs a petition to form a new political party in violation of this section, any signature by that STM S00813'25 (S-1) wha937 individual on the petition is invalid and must not be counted.
(12) If an individual signs a petition to form a new political party in violation of this section, any signature by that individual on the petition is invalid and must not be counted.
In addition, the certificate of circulator must indicate all of the following:
STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v In addition, the certificate of circulator must indicate all of the following:
(2) For recall of a village officer, the recall petition shall STM S00813'25 (S-1) wha937 must be signed by qualified and registered electors of the village.
(2) For recall of a village officer, the recall petition shall must be signed by qualified and registered electors of the village.
(5) If a recall petition contains the signature of the same elector 2 or more times, only the first valid signature of that elector shall be counted.
STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v (5) If a recall petition contains the signature of the same elector 2 or more times, only the first valid signature of that elector shall be counted.
This amendatory act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.
This amendatory act takes effect January 1, 2027.
Final Page STM S00813'25 (S-1) wha937
Final Page STM S00813'25 (S-3)_SB531_APS_1 cdy06v
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Action History

  1. referred to Committee on Election Integrity

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on · 15 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

PASSED

Passed 21 Yea · 15 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 19000
Republican 21401
Unaffiliated 0100
Total 211501
% of votes cast 57%41%0%3%
How each member voted (37)
Member Party Vote
Outman — Nay
Darrin Camilleri Democrat Yea
Dayna Polehanki Democrat Yea
Erika Geiss Democrat Yea
Jeff Irwin Democrat Yea
Jeremy Moss Democrat Yea
John Cherry Democrat Yea
Kevin Hertel Democrat Yea
Mallory McMorrow Democrat Yea
Mary Cavanagh Democrat Yea
Paul Wojno Democrat Yea
Rosemary Bayer Democrat Yea
Sam Singh Democrat Yea
Sarah Anthony Democrat Yea
Sean McCann Democrat Yea
Stephanie Chang Democrat Yea
Sue Shink Democrat Yea
Sylvia Santana Democrat Yea
Veronica Klinefelt Democrat Yea
Winnie Brinks Democrat Yea
Aric Nesbitt Republican Nay
Dan Lauwers Republican Yea
Edward McBroom Republican Yea
Jim Runestad Republican Nay
John Damoose Republican Nay
Jon Bumstead Republican Nay
Jonathan Lindsey Republican Nay
Joseph Bellino Jr. Republican Nay
Kevin Daley Republican Nay
Lana Theis Republican Not Voting
Mark Huizenga Republican Nay
Michael Webber Republican Nay
Michele Hoitenga Republican Nay
Roger Hauck Republican Nay
Roger Victory Republican Nay
Ruth Johnson Republican Nay
Thomas Albert Republican Nay

Official roll call →

PASSED ROLL CALL # 296 YEAS 21 NAYS 15 EXCUSED 1 NOT VOTING 0

Passed 21 Yea · 15 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 19000
Republican 21501
Total 211501
% of votes cast 57%41%0%3%
How each member voted (37)
Member Party Vote
Darrin Camilleri Democrat Yea
Dayna Polehanki Democrat Yea
Erika Geiss Democrat Yea
Jeff Irwin Democrat Yea
Jeremy Moss Democrat Yea
John Cherry Democrat Yea
Kevin Hertel Democrat Yea
Mallory McMorrow Democrat Yea
Mary Cavanagh Democrat Yea
Paul Wojno Democrat Yea
Rosemary Bayer Democrat Yea
Sam Singh Democrat Yea
Sarah Anthony Democrat Yea
Sean McCann Democrat Yea
Stephanie Chang Democrat Yea
Sue Shink Democrat Yea
Sylvia Santana Democrat Yea
Veronica Klinefelt Democrat Yea
Winnie Brinks Democrat Yea
Aric Nesbitt Republican Nay
Dan Lauwers Republican Yea
Edward McBroom Republican Yea
Jim Runestad Republican Nay
John Damoose Republican Nay
Jon Bumstead Republican Nay
Jonathan Lindsey Republican Nay
Joseph Bellino Jr. Republican Nay
Kevin Daley Republican Nay
Lana Theis Republican Not Voting
Mark Huizenga Republican Nay
Michael Webber Republican Nay
Michele Hoitenga Republican Nay
Rick Outman Republican Nay
Roger Hauck Republican Nay
Roger Victory Republican Nay
Ruth Johnson Republican Nay
Thomas Albert Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

elections
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 531 do?
Elections: petitions; process for counting duplicate petition signatures; provide for, and eliminate penalties. Amends secs. 482, 590h, 685, 957 & 958 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.482 et seq.) & adds secs. 482f & 547.
Who sponsors SB 531?
SB 531 is sponsored by Jeff Irwin (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 531?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced November 13, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 531?
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