Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules  
Administrative Rules Division (ARD)  
611 W. Ottawa Street  
Lansing, MI 48909  
Phone: 517-335-8658 Fax: 517-335-9512  
REQUEST FOR RULEMAKING (RFR)  
1. Department:  
State  
2. Bureau:  
Elections & Campaign Finance  
3. Promulgation type:  
Full Process  
4. Title of proposed rule set:  
Signature Matching Standards for Absent Voter Ballot Applications and Absent Voter Ballot  
Envelopes  
5. Rule numbers or rule set range of numbers:  
R 168.21 - R 168.29  
6. Estimated time frame:  
6 months  
Name of person filling out RFR:  
Adam Fracassi  
E-mail of person filling out RFR:  
FracassiA@michigan.gov  
Phone number of person filling out RFR:  
517-241-3280  
Address of person filling out RFR:  
430 W. Allegan  
Lansing, MI 48915  
7. Describe the general purpose of these rules, including any problems the changes are intended  
to address.  
To create process for determining whether signatures on absent voter ballot applications or ballot  
return envelopes agree sufficiently with signature on file.  
8. Please cite the specific promulgation authority for the rules (i.e. department director,  
commission, board, etc.).  
Secretary of State shall promulgate rules for the conduct of elections and advise and direct local  
election officials on the methods of conducting elections.  
A. Please list all applicable statutory references (MCLs, Executive Orders, etc.).  
MCL 168.31(1)(a); MCL 168.31(1)(e); MCL 168.759; MCL 168.761; MCL 168.765; MCL  
168.765a.  
B. Are the rules mandated by any applicable constitutional or statutory provision? If so, please  
explain.  
No  
MCL 24.239  
RFR-Page 2  
9. Please describe the extent to which the rules conflict with or duplicate similar rules,  
compliance requirements, or other standards adopted at the state, regional, or federal level.  
The proposed rules do not conflict with or duplicate similar rules, compliance requirements, or  
other standards adopted at the state, regional, or federal level.  
10. Is the subject matter of the rules currently contained in any guideline, handbook, manual,  
instructional bulletin, form with instructions, or operational memoranda?  
Yes, in nonbinding guidance.  
11. Are the rules listed on the department’s annual regulatory plan as rules to be processed  
for the current year?  
No  
12. Will the proposed rules be promulgated under Section 44 of the Administrative Procedures  
Act, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.244, or under the full rulemaking process?  
Full Process  
13. Please describe the extent to which the rules exceed similar regulations, compliance  
requirements, or other standards adopted at the state, regional, or federal level.  
The proposed rules do not exceed similar regulations, compliance requirements, or other standards  
adopted at the state, regional, or federal level.  
14. Do the rules incorporate the recommendations received from the public regarding any  
complaints or comments regarding the rules? If yes, please explain.  
The proposed rule has not been submitted to the public for comment.  
15. If amending an existing rule set, please provide the date of the last evaluation of the rules  
and the degree, if any, to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed  
the regulatory activity covered by the rules since the last evaluation.  
The proposed rule does not amend a current rule.  
16. Are there any changes or developments since implementation that demonstrate there is no  
continued need for the rules, or any portion of the rules?  
The proposed rule does not amend a current rule.  
17. Is there an applicable decision record (as defined in MCL 24.203(6) and required by MCL  
24.239(2))? If so, please attach the decision record.  
No  
MCL 24.239  
;