Overview

An Absent Voter Counting Board (“AVCB”) is a precinct established to process absent voter ballots. “Absent Voter EOM” at 1. **The use of ACVBs is optional — the local Election Commission determines whether the jurisdiction will use AVCBs or process absent voter ballots at each in-person polling location. “Absent Voter EOM” at 1. **Each AVCB is made up of at least three election inspectors appointed by the local Election Commission. “Absent Voter EOM” at 1.

If AVCBs are used, one must be designated to correspond to each precinct in the jurisdiction, but a single AVCB can correspond to more than one precinct. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.765a(1); “Absent Voter EOM” at 3. **The local Election Commission can decide to establish AVCBs for early processing of absent voter ballots. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.765a(11); “Absent Voter EOM” at 3. **If a jurisdiction has a population of over 5,000, AVCBs can begin early processing up to eight days before Election Day, and if a jurisdiction has less than 5,000 residents, AVCBs can begin early processing on the day before Election Day. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.765a(11); “Absent Voter EOM” at 3-4.

The responsibilities of an AVCB include receiving absent voter ballots from the City or Township Clerk, processing and tabulating absent voter ballots, and recording the totals of absent voter ballots. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.765(1); “Absent Voter EOM” at 5-10.

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Absent Voter Counting Board are:

1. Receiving absent voter ballots from the City or Township Clerk. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.765(1).
2. Processing absent voter ballots. “Absent Voter EOM” at 5-7.
3. Tabulating absent voter ballots. “Absent Voter EOM” at 8.
4. Recording totals of absent voter ballots. “Absent Voter EOM” at 8-10.

Selection and Vacancy Information

• **Appointed: ****The City or Township Election Commission appoints a minimum of three election inspectors to each AVCB using the same procedures used for the appointment of election inspectors at in-person voting precincts. “Absent Voter EOM” at 1. The local Election Commission must appoint at least one election inspector from each major political party in each precinct. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.674.
• Qualifications and Restrictions:
  • An election inspector must be a qualified and registered voter in Michigan. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.674. The first three election inspectors appointed at a precinct must be at least 18 years old, but any additional election inspectors appointed can be 16 or 17 years old. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.674.
  • An election inspector cannot have been convicted of a felony or an election crime. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.674.
  • In addition, an election inspector cannot have an “immediate family member” (defined as father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, or any relative residing in the same household) running as a candidate for any office in the election. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.674.
  • Election inspectors must have, within the last two years, attended a training or passed an examination given by the City or Township Election Commission. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.683.
• Training: The County Clerk must hold a mandatory training for all election inspectors within 20 days before the primary, special, and general election. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.683. Election inspectors must attend unless excused for good cause. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.683. Cities or townships with a population of 10,000 or more may conduct their own training, and election inspectors who attend city or township training are not required to attend the county training. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.683.
• Vacancy: If a vacancy occurs before Election Day, the Election Commission appoints another properly qualified individual as election inspector. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.674(5). If the office of election inspector chairperson becomes vacant on Election Day, the remaining election inspectors designate one of the election inspectors as chairperson. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.674(5).