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Canvassers back procedural rule updates and debate petition form, oath and signature rules
Summary
The board supported proposed procedural rule amendments (including a 48‑hour submission deadline for public materials) and debated whether to enshrine oath administration, the republication requirement for constitutional amendments, random‑sampling limits, and the 180‑day signature window into rule or statute; staff said alleged forgeries will be packaged for investigators.
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers voted to support amendments to the board’s procedural rules and to authorize the Bureau of Elections to proceed through the rule‑promulgation process, while engaging in extended discussion on petition form requirements, oath administration, signature distribution and the 180‑day collection window.
Director Bridal summarized the proposal to require members of the public to submit materials at least 48 hours before the relevant board meeting and to not consider materials received after that deadline, explaining the change is intended to give both sides and staff time to review late submissions. “What you have here is a proposed first step in updating the procedural rules for the board,” he said.
Board members pressed staff about when and whether the board should require witnesses to be sworn. One member said they have historically had the reporter administer oaths rather than the chair. Staff and legal counsel said the board already has authority to…
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