DEPARTMENT OF STATE  
BOARD OF STATE CANVASSERS  
PROCEDURES  
(By authority conferred on the board of state canvassers by section 33 of the  
administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.233)  
R 168.841 Definitions.  
Rule 1. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) “Act” means the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.1 to 168.992.  
(b) “Board” means the board of state canvassers.  
(c) “Bureau” means the bureau of elections of the department of state.  
(d) “Chairperson” means the individual elected as chairperson of the board pursuant  
to section 22d(3) of the act, MCL 168.22d, or the individual acting in the chairperson’s  
place.  
(e) “Hearing” means any of the following:  
(i) A hearing on the canvass of an initiative or referendum petition held pursuant to  
section 476 of the act, MCL 168.476.  
(ii) A hearing on the canvass of a nominating petition held pursuant to section 552  
of the act, MCL 168.552.  
(iii) A hearing on the sufficiency and clarity of language in a recall petition held  
pursuant to section 951a of the act, MCL 168.951a.  
(f) “Secretary of the board” means the director of elections appointed by the  
secretary of state, pursuant to section 32 of the act, MCL 168.32, or the secretary of the  
board’s designee.  
(2) Terms defined in the act have the same meanings when used in these rules.  
History: 1997 AACS; 2025 MR 12, Eff. May 12, 2025.  
R 168.842 Service of process.  
Rule 2. Legal process may be served on the secretary of the board who shall accept  
service of process for the board and for the individual members of the board acting in  
their official capacities.  
History: 1997 AACS; 2025 MR 12, Eff. May 12, 2025.  
R 168.843 Location and communications.  
Rule 3. (1) Any individual may request information concerning the board and its  
procedures by contacting the bureau.  
(2) The bureau shall serve as the offices for the board.  
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(3) Communications with the office may be made between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.,  
Monday through Friday, except on legal holidays. All communications to the board must  
be directed to the following:  
(a) Mailing address:  
Michigan Department of State  
Board of State Canvassers  
P.O. Box 20126  
Lansing, Michigan 48901-07269  
(b) Location:  
Richard H. Austin Building, 1st Floor  
430 W. Allegan  
Lansing, Michigan, 48918  
(c) Telephone Number: 800-292-5973  
(d) Email address indicated on the board’s webpage on the department of state  
website.  
(4) The secretary of the board may designate other locations and telephone numbers  
for communicating with the board.  
History: 1997 AACS; 2025 MR 12, Eff. May 12, 2025.  
R 168.844 Hearings.  
Rule 4. (1) The secretary of the board shall serve notice of any hearing to be held by  
the board by regular mail, telephone, or other electronic means no less than 2 days before  
the date of the hearing. The notice must include the hearing date, time, place, and reason  
for holding the hearing, and be served on either of the following individuals:  
(a) The sponsor, and any opponent requesting notice, of an initiative or referendum  
petition.  
(b) A candidate or any individual challenging the candidate’s nominating petition.  
(2) An individual may appear at a hearing on the individual’s behalf, by an  
authorized representative, or by counsel, either in person or by remote participation, if  
available, and shall file a written appearance with the board on a form provided by the  
board.  
(3) An individual served with a notice of hearing may file a written argument with  
the board and with the other parties, if any, at least 48 hours before the date of the  
hearing.  
(4) If an individual properly served with a notice of hearing fails to appear for the  
hearing, the board, if no adjournment is granted, may proceed with the hearing and make  
its decision in the absence of the individual.  
(5) The board may issue a subpoena upon its own initiative, at the written request of  
the secretary of the board, or at the written request of a party to the hearing.  
(6) A hearing must be adjourned or continued only by order of the board.  
(7) A request for an adjournment or continuance must be in writing and state the  
reason for the request.  
History: 1997 AACS; 2025 MR 12, Eff. May 12, 2025.  
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R 168.845 Conduct of public meetings and hearings of the board.  
Rule 5. (1) Each individual wishing to do so shall be provided a reasonable  
opportunity to address the board on an agenda item, or an item not on the agenda if the  
individual makes a request to the board as described in R 168.843(3) before the public  
meeting or hearing is convened or to the chairperson before the conclusion of the public  
meeting or hearing.  
(2) A group of 5 or more individuals wishing to address the board shall attempt to  
give advance notice to the chairperson of its intention to attend the public meeting or  
hearing so that an effort may be made to provide adequate space.  
(3) If it is anticipated that more space will be necessary, the secretary of the board  
shall attempt to ensure that an overflow room or rooms are provided for the public  
meeting or hearing to ensure that public safety laws and regulations are followed. The  
overflow room or rooms must telecast live on television the proceedings of the public  
meeting or hearing, and individuals in the overflow room or rooms shall have access to  
the main room in case they are called upon to provide testimony.  
(4) The chairperson shall do all of the following:  
(a) Conduct the public participation portion of the public meeting or hearing in an  
orderly and decorous manner.  
(b) Recognize each individual wishing to speak on a matter, within the time limits  
available.  
(c) Allow for public comment, including by remote participation.  
(d) Allocate a specific time on the agenda for general public comments.  
(e) Limit the number of individuals admitted to the meeting or hearing room if  
necessary to comply with public safety laws and regulations.  
(f) Impose reasonable limitations on the time allotted for public comments.  
(g) Inquire as to the interest or interests, if any, represented by an individual  
addressing the board at a public meeting or hearing.  
History: 1997 AACS; 2025 MR 12, Eff. May 12, 2025.  
R 168.846 Submitting material to the board.  
Rule 6. Members of the public shall submit material to the board at least 48 hours  
before the relevant board meeting. The board shall not consider material received after  
the 48-hour deadline.  
History: 1997 AACS; 2025 MR 12, Eff. May 12, 2025.  
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