Elections: voters; language assistance for elections act; create. Creates new act.
This bill establishes the "language assistance for elections act" to require local governments in Michigan to provide voting materials in languages other than English for residents with limited English proficiency. Localities must offer these services if they have a specific number of eligible voters who share a non-English language, with thresholds adjusted based on whether the requirement starts before or after January 1, 2030. The secretary of state will publish annual lists of affected areas and languages, while also providing translated documents and ensuring all translations are done by certified professionals rather than relying on automatic tools. Additionally, the law creates a language access advisory council to guide the program and mandates that counties assisting local governments during early voting must also follow these language requirements.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2023
Committee Review
Dec 2024
Senate Passage
Sep 2024
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jun 22, 2023
Last action Dec 3, 2024
Floor votes · Senate Sep 17, 2024
How they voted
20–16
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 38
Sep 17, 2024
D
Democratic20
100% Yea
R
Republican18
88% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
5
Committee
7
Dec 3, 2024
Committee
referred to second reading
lower
Dec 3, 2024
Lower · Passed
reported with recommendation with substitute (H-1)
lower
Sep 17, 2024
Committee
referred to Committee on Elections
lower
Sep 17, 2024
Introduced
received on 09/17/2024
lower
Sep 17, 2024
Upper · Passed
PASSED ROLL CALL # 336 YEAS 20 NAYS 16 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0
upper
Jun 26, 2024
Upper · Passed
SUBSTITUTE (S-4) CONCURRED IN
upper
Jun 26, 2024
Upper · Passed
REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-4)
upper
Jun 18, 2024
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-3)
upper
Jun 18, 2024
Upper · Passed
REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-3)
upper
Jun 27, 2023
Introduced
PRINTED BILL FILED 06/23/2023
upper
Jun 22, 2023
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS AND ETHICS
upper
Jun 22, 2023
Introduced
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR STEPHANIE CHANG
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Stephanie Chang
DDemocratic
Co
Darrin Camilleri
DDemocratic
Co
Erika Geiss
DDemocratic
Co
Jeremy Moss
DDemocratic
Co
Paul Wojno
DDemocratic
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