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

SB 963 — Elections: voters; language assistance for elections act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0961'26, SB 0962'26

Last action — referred to Committee on Election Integrity

  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 June 16, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

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

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 16% · moderate confidence

  • 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).

  • Failed a recorded vote

    Failed 1 recorded vote so far — a real headwind.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

Creates a new act to provide language assistance for voters in elections.

This bill establishes a new act focused on offering language assistance for voters during elections. It aims to ensure that language barriers do not prevent individuals from participating in the electoral process.

What this means for you
  • Workers: Workers who are non-native speakers can receive the necessary support to participate in elections without language being a barrier.
  • Families: This means that families with members who speak different languages may find it easier to understand the voting process.
  • Consumers: {}

Summary

Elections: voters; language assistance for elections act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0961'26, SB 0962'26

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

17 added · 16 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill SB 963 includes the addition of several lines that strengthen its provisions while removing redundant sections from the previous draft. This streamlining aims to clarify the bill's intent and ensure that the new rules can be effectively implemented. These changes are significant because they simplify the legislation, making it easier for stakeholders to understand and comply with the law. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the overall effectiveness of the bill in addressing the issues it targets.

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SENATE BILL NO.
SB-963, As Passed Senate, June 16, 2026 SENATE BILL NO.
(a) "Limited English proficiency" means an individual who does not speak English as that individual's primary language and who STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 speaks, reads, or understands the English language less than very well.
(a) "Limited English proficiency" means an individual who does not speak English as that individual's primary language and who STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 speaks, reads, or understands the English language less than very well.
STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 (2) If a local government that is required to provide language assistance for elections conducted in that local government under this section enters into an agreement with the county in which that local government is located authorizing the county to conduct early voting for that local government as provided under section 720g of the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.720g, the county must comply with the language assistance requirements for that local government during the early voting period.
STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 (2) If a local government that is required to provide language assistance for elections conducted in that local government under this section enters into an agreement with the county in which that local government is located authorizing the county to conduct early voting for that local government as provided under section 720g of the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.720g, the county must comply with the language assistance requirements for that local government during the early voting period.
(a) Notify that local government of the language assistance STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 requirements.
(a) Notify that local government of the language assistance STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 requirements.
If a local government requires language assistance for elections that is not provided by the secretary of state under this subsection, that local government is required to submit language to the secretary of state no later than 82 days before the election, and if that language is not submitted to the secretary of state by the local government as required under this subdivision, that local government is required to provide the language assistance for elections as required under this STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 subdivision.
If a local government requires language assistance for elections that is not provided by the secretary of state under this subsection, that local government is required to submit language to the secretary of state no later than 82 days before the election, and if that language is not submitted to the secretary of state by the local government as required under this subdivision, that local government is required to provide the language assistance for elections as required under this STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 subdivision.
The secretary of state shall not prohibit the clerk of a local government or a board of election commissioners from using any source to prepare the chart of predetermined results and test decks with those predetermined results used in that preliminary logic and accuracy testing if the chart of predetermined results and test decks with those STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 predetermined results meet the required standards under law.
The secretary of state shall not prohibit the clerk of a local government or a board of election commissioners from using any source to prepare the chart of predetermined results and test decks with those predetermined results used in that preliminary logic and accuracy testing if the chart of predetermined results and test decks with those STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 predetermined results meet the required standards under law.
(8) The secretary of state must produce electronic copies of the specified election materials that the secretary of state makes public in each language that has been designated under subsection STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 (1).
(8) The secretary of state must produce electronic copies of the specified election materials that the secretary of state makes public in each language that has been designated under subsection STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 (1).
(6) The language access advisory council shall annually approve a list of voter-facing materials that must be translated STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 into each designated language by a certified translator, including the required materials provided in section 5(5)(a).
(6) The language access advisory council shall annually approve a list of voter-facing materials that must be translated STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 into each designated language by a certified translator, including the required materials provided in section 5(5)(a).
The written plan described in this subsection must be in writing, be approved by the STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 secretary of state or, for a local government, by a resolution of the governing body of the local government, and do all of the following:
The written plan described in this subsection must be in writing, be approved by the STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 secretary of state or, for a local government, by a resolution of the governing body of the local government, and do all of the following:
(5) Subject to subsections (1) to (4), any individual aggrieved by a violation of section 5, any entity whose membership includes individuals aggrieved by a violation of section 5, any STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 entity whose mission would be frustrated by a violation of section 5, any entity that would expend resources in order to fulfill its mission as a result of a violation of section 5, or the attorney general may file a cause of action against a local government as provided under section 12(1) or against the secretary of state as provided under section 12(2) if any of the following requirements are met:
(5) Subject to subsections (1) to (4), any individual aggrieved by a violation of section 5, any entity whose membership includes individuals aggrieved by a violation of section 5, any STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 entity whose mission would be frustrated by a violation of section 5, any entity that would expend resources in order to fulfill its mission as a result of a violation of section 5, or the attorney general may file a cause of action against a local government as provided under section 12(1) or against the secretary of state as provided under section 12(2) if any of the following requirements are met:
(1) Subject to subsection (4), if, pursuant to a process commenced by a notification letter under section 7, a local government enacts or implements a remedy to a potential violation of this act, the department of state shall reimburse the prospective plaintiff who sent the notification letter from the Michigan voting rights assistance fund, as created in section 15 of the state voting rights act, or, if there is insufficient money in the Michigan voting rights assistance fund, from other money appropriated to the department of state for this purpose, for the STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 reasonable costs to generate the notification letter under section 7.
(1) Subject to subsection (4), if, pursuant to a process commenced by a notification letter under section 7, a local government enacts or implements a remedy to a potential violation of this act, the department of state shall reimburse the prospective plaintiff who sent the notification letter from the Michigan voting rights assistance fund, as created in section 15 of the state voting rights act, or, if there is insufficient money in the Michigan voting rights assistance fund, from other money appropriated to the department of state for this purpose, for the STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 reasonable costs to generate the notification letter under section 7.
(4) Subject to subsection (6), the amount of reimbursement STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 provided under subsection (1), (2), or (3) must not exceed $50,000.00.
(4) Subject to subsection (6), the amount of reimbursement STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 provided under subsection (1), (2), or (3) must not exceed $50,000.00.
STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 Sec.
STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 Sec.
Punitive damages may be ordered only if the court STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 finds any of the following:
Punitive damages may be ordered only if the court STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 finds any of the following:
STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 (3) In any action brought under this act, the court has the authority to order remedies that may be inconsistent with other provisions of state or local law, when the inconsistent provisions of law would otherwise preclude the court from ordering an adequate remedy.
STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 (3) In any action brought under this act, the court has the authority to order remedies that may be inconsistent with other provisions of state or local law, when the inconsistent provisions of law would otherwise preclude the court from ordering an adequate remedy.
Because of the frequency of elections, the severe consequences and irreparable harm of holding elections under STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr 1 unlawful conditions, and the expenditure to defend potentially unlawful conditions that benefit incumbent officials, actions brought under this act are subject to expedited pretrial and trial proceedings and must receive an automatic calendar preference.
Because of the frequency of elections, the severe consequences and irreparable harm of holding elections under STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt 1 unlawful conditions, and the expenditure to defend potentially unlawful conditions that benefit incumbent officials, actions brought under this act are subject to expedited pretrial and trial proceedings and must receive an automatic calendar preference.
Final Page STM S01200'25_SB0963_INTR_1 0357pr
Final Page STM S01200'25_SB963_APS_1 6hg3zt
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Action History

  1. 6/16/2026 - referred to Committee on Election Integrity

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on · 6 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 146 →

"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

Subjects

civil-rights elections
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 963 do?
Elections: voters; language assistance for elections act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0961'26, SB 0962'26
Who sponsors SB 963?
SB 963 is sponsored by Stephanie Chang (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 963?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced June 16, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 963?
Track SB 963 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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