Overview

In each county in Michigan, there is a Board of County Election Commissioners composed of the Chief Judge of Probate of the county or probate court district, the County Clerk, and the County Treasurer. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.23(1).

The Board of County Election Commissioners is responsible for a number of election administration-related duties, including authorizing the printing of ballots in federal, state, and countywide elections; furnishing election supplies; approving early voting site locations; and appointing election inspectors for early voting. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 168.720g(5), (6); “Structure of Elections” at 7*.* The Board also receives petitions for the recall of certain officers who reside in the county. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.952(2).

Most significantly, the Board of County Election Commissioners oversees the counting of absent voter ballots. The Board of County Election Commissioners authorizes the use of Absent Voter Counting Boards to process and tabulate absentee ballots prior to Election Day. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.765a(11). The Board also appoints the election inspectors to the Absent Voter Counting Boards and determines a time and place for the processing and tabulation of absent voter ballots. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 168.765a(2), (4), (6).

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Board of County Election Commissioners are:

1. Authorizing the use of Absent Voter Counting Boards. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.765a(11).
2. Appointing election inspectors to Absent Voter Counting Boards. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.765a(2).
3. Determining a time and place for the processing and tabulation of absent voter ballots. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.765a(4), (6).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• **Ex Officio: ****The Board of County Election Commissioners is ex officio composed of the Chief Judge of Probate of the county or probate court district, the County Clerk, and the County Treasurer. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.23(1). All three positions are elected positions. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 168.200(1), 168.436d.
• Term of Office: The County Clerk and the County Treasurer serve a four-year term. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.203. The Judge of Probate serves a six-year term. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.439.
• Qualifications: The Judge of Probate, the County Clerk, and the County Treasurer all must be registered voters of the county in which election is sought by the filing deadline for candidacy. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 168.431, 168.191.
• Vacancy: In the absence or disqualification of the County Clerk, the Board of County Election Commissioners may select one of the County Clerk’s deputies. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.23(1). In the absence or disqualification of either of the other members, the Board of County Election Commissioners appoint the county prosecuting attorney, the county sheriff, or register of deeds to serve in the member’s place. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.23(1).