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).

This bill allows Michigan townships to hire accredited election contractors when their clerk or deputy clerk is unavailable to handle election duties. Under the new provision, the township board can contract with a qualified, accredited individual who lives nearby to perform registration, nomination, and election functions until the clerk returns or a replacement is appointed. The contracted individual would have the same authority as a deputy clerk and must submit regular reports to the township board about their work. This change aims to ensure election operations continue smoothly during clerk absences without requiring the township to wait for a new clerk to be appointed or elected.