Elections: election officials; township to contract with an accredited individual to perform election law duties in the absence of a township clerk; authorize. Amends sec. 373 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.373).
Key claim: HB5717 would let Michigan townships contract with an accredited individual to carry out election-law duties when the township clerk is absent.
Abstract
(HB5717 · 103rd Legislature) Elections: election officials; township to contract with an accredited individual to perform election law duties in the absence of a township clerk; authorize. Amends sec. 373 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.373). Sponsor: Rep. Jennifer Wortz ® + 1 co-sponsor In committee: S Elections And Ethics Latest vote: House Third Reading: Given Immediate Effect Roll Call #166 — 104-2 (passed, 2026-05-21) Latest action (2026-06-02): Referred To Committee On Elections And Ethics
Why this matters
Township clerks are the front-line administrators of Michigan elections, and their unavailability — through illness, vacancy, or recusal — can jeopardize statutory deadlines and voter services. HB5717 creates a formal fallback allowing townships to contract with an accredited substitute, changing what clerks and township boards may do when the clerk’s seat is temporarily empty. The mechanism’s reach depends on how ‘accredited’ is defined and who qualifies.