DEPARTMENT OF STATE  
BUREAU OF ELECTIONS  
DISQUALIFICATION FROM BALLOT BASED UPON CONTENTS OF  
AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY  
Filed with the secretary of state on June 8, 2026  
These rules become effective immediately after filing with the secretary of state  
unless adopted under section 33, 44, or 45a(9) of the administrative procedures act of  
1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.233, 24.244, or 24.245a. Rules adopted under these sections  
become effective 7 days after filing with the secretary of state.  
(By authority conferred on the secretary of state by section 31 of the Michigan  
election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.31)  
R 168.1, R 168.5, and R 168.6 of the Michigan Administrative Code are amended, as  
follows:  
R 168.1 Definitions.  
Rule 1. As used in these rules:  
(a) “Affidavit of identity” or “affidavit” means the filing made under section 558 of the  
Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.558.  
(b) “Compliance statement” means the statement required by section 558(4) of the  
Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.558, that the candidate does not owe any  
statements, reports, fines, or late filing fees.  
(c) “Filing official” means the township, city, or county clerk, or the secretary of state  
with which the affidavit of identity is filed.  
(d) “Notice of error or omission” means the notice issued under section 16(6) of the  
Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.216.  
R 168.5 Affidavit of identity challenge.  
Rule 5. (1) The filing official shall reject any challenge received more than 7 days after  
the deadline for the filing of the affidavit of identity.  
(2) The filing official shall reject any challenge that is not in the form of a signed and  
notarized complaint.  
R 168.6 Candidate response to challenge.  
Rule 6. (1) The filing official shall render a decision without consideration of a  
candidate’s response to a challenge to the candidate’s affidavit of identity if the response  
is received more than 7 days after the candidate was provided with the challenge.  
(2) The filing official shall decline to consider a response that is not signed.  
January 26, 2026  
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