Overview

The primary responsibility of the Board of County Canvassers is to canvass the returns of votes cast for all candidates for office and all questions voted on at an election. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.822(1). The Board of County Canvassers determines and declares the results of the election for county and local officers and for county and local ballot questions. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.826(1). For statewide elections, the Board of County Canvassers transmits the county’s canvassed vote totals to the Board of State Canvassers. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.826(1). According to state law, it is the “ministerial, clerical, and non-discretionary duty” of each Board of County Canvassers to certify election results based on statements of returns alone. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.822(3). The Board of County Canvassers also conducts recounts of elections in cities, townships, villages, school districts, metropolitan districts, and any other districts. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24a(2).

There is a four-member Board of County Canvassers in every county in Michigan. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24a(1). Members of the Board of County Canvassers are appointed by the County Board of Commissioners for terms of four years. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24a(7).

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Board of County Canvassers are:

1. Canvassing the returns of all elections. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.822(1).
2. Determining and declaring the results of ballot questions and elections for county and local officers. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.826.
3. Transmitting the county’s canvassed vote totals to the Board of State Canvassers. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.826(1).
4. Conducting recounts of elections. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24a(2).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• **Appointed: ****The Board of County Canvassers is appointed by the County Board of Commissioners. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24c. The county committee of each of the two major political parties submits to the County Clerk a list of three nominees for each position to which the party is entitled. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24c. The County Board of Commissioners selects one nominee for each position from the lists. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24c. Each political party may not be represented by more than two members on the Board of County Canvassers at a time. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24c.
• Term of Office: Members of the Board of County Canvassers are appointed for terms of four years beginning on November 1 following their appointment. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24a(7).
• Qualifications: A member of the Board of County Canvassers must be a registered voter in the state. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24b. Before taking office, a member must take the constitutional oath of office prescribed in the state constitution. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24b. A member may not hold elective public office, and if a member becomes a candidate for any such office, the member’s position on the board becomes vacant. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24b.
• Vacancy: In the case of a vacancy on the Board of County Canvassers, the county committee of the political party entitled to fill the position submits a list of three nominees to the County Clerk within ten days of notice of the vacancy. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24d(2). The County Clerk, within ten days of receiving the list, appoints one of the nominees on the list to fill the vacancy. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24d(3). The nominee appointed serves the remainder of the unexpired term. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24d(4).