Department of State  
Elections & Campaign Finance  
Administrative Rules for Signature Matching Standards for Absent Voter Ballot Applications and Absent  
Voter Ballot Envelopes  
Rule Set 2021-61 ST  
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING  
Friday, October 1, 2021  
09:00 AM  
Cadillac Place Room L-150  
3044 W. Grand Blvd. Detroit, MI 48202  
The Department of State will hold a public hearing to receive public comments on proposed changes to  
the Signature Matching Standards for Absent Voter Ballot Applications and Absent Voter Ballot  
Envelopes rule set.  
Before receiving an absent voter ballot, a voter must submit an application which is signed by the voter.  
The signature on the application is compared by the local clerk and their staff to the signature on file in  
the Qualified Voter File. If the signature is determined to sufficiently match the signature on file, the voter  
will be sent an absent voter ballot. The voter must then return the ballot in the envelope provided by the  
clerk which is signed. That signature is then compared to the absent voter ballot application and/or the  
qualified voter file.  
Currently, city and township clerks review each of these signatures. The rule is designed to provide  
uniform standards for city and township clerks to utilize when comparing the signature in order to  
determine if the signature on the absent voter ballot application and envelope sufficiently matches the  
signature contained in the voter’s registration profile.  
By authority conferred on the Secretary of State by section 31 of 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.31. The  
proposed rules will take effect immediately after filing with the Secretary of State. The proposed rules are  
published on the State of Michigan web site at http://www.michigan.gov/ARD and in the Michigan  
Register in the 9/15/2021 issue. Copies of these proposed rules may also be obtained by mail or  
electronic transmission at the following address: Elections@Michigan.gov.  
Comments on these proposed rules may be made at the hearing or by mail or electronic mail at the  
following address until 10/1/2021 at 05:00PM.  
Michigan Bureau of Elections  
Email: Elections@Michigan.gov  
PO Box 20126 Lansing, MI 48901  
The public hearing will be conducted in compliance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. If the  
hearing is held at a physical location, the building will be accessible with handicap parking available.  
Anyone needing assistance to take part in the hearing due to disability may call 517-335-3234 to make  
arrangements.  
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