Elections: offenses; false statements or misrepresentations concerning elections; prohibit. Amends 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.1 - 168.992) by adding sec. 931c.
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill makes it illegal to intentionally and knowingly make false statements or misrepresentations about elections in Michigan. Specifically, it prohibits spreading misinformation about election times, voter eligibility, criminal penalties related to voting, or a voter’s registration status. The bill also holds employers accountable if they knowingly employ someone who makes these false statements, with exceptions for demonstrating lack of prior knowledge.
Key provisions
- Prohibits intentional and knowing false statements about elections.
- Covers misinformation regarding election times, voter eligibility, and voting penalties.
- Addresses false statements about a voter’s registration status.
- Imposes a civil fine of up to $1,000 on individuals making false statements.
- Allows for a civil fine of up to $10,000 for entities employing those who make false statements.
- Establishes a rebuttable presumption of lack of knowledge for local governments.
- Adds a new section (931c) to the Michigan Election Law.
Who is affected
- Voters
- Election officials
- Political campaigns
- Employers
- Local governments
Notable changes
- Creates a new civil penalty for intentionally making false statements about elections.
- Establishes a presumption of knowledge for local governments regarding employee actions.
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Document of record
- Version
- Senate Introduced Bill
- Published
- Not published in the source record
This version is published only as a document. Open the viewer to read it here, or download the file.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
No sponsors are on record.
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours