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State Board of Canvassers to refine petition‑circulator procedures, staff to draft best practices ahead of November
Summary
Board members directed staff to draft a checklist and best‑practice guidance on handling circulator signature challenges — including requesting handwriting exemplars for paid or out‑of‑state circulators — and agreed staff will present a refined procedure at the November meeting.
The Michigan State Board of Canvassers instructed staff to draft a clearer, time‑sensitive procedure for handling circulator signature challenges and to return the matter to the board at its November meeting.
Unidentified staff described a framework the bureau will use when a challenge is filed: an initial facial review, immediate outreach for missing documentation or handwriting exemplars, drafting a staff report, and presenting recommendations to the board rather than seeking board direction at every step. "I'm gonna send these home with you, and ask that you take a look at it again in advance of the November election," the staff member said while describing the checklist they will provide to members.
Board members pressed staff on whether to require handwriting exemplars for circulators and how to treat paid or out‑of‑state circulators. One member said requiring exemplars by rule would likely need a statute change, but several supported publishing a strong recommendation online so campaigns know the bureau will expect exemplars in cases that are challenged. Staff noted the statutory response windows for challenges are short and stressed the need to minimize the number of contested petition sheets that could affect ballot access during the certification window.
The board discussed the 2022 "West" petition as a precedent in which out‑of‑state circulators and missing exemplars complicated staff review. Staff said where exemplars are available they will compare them to circulator signatures in the qualified voter file; if exemplars are unavailable, staff will request them and, if campaigns do not respond, prepare a staff report outlining the facts and recommendation for the board.
Members agreed the board should not be asked to approve every step during the tight processing window but retains final decision authority on petition sufficiency. The board did not adopt a new rule at the meeting; instead, it directed staff to prepare and circulate the procedure and checklist and to place the item on the November agenda for further consideration.
