Overview

The primary responsibility of the Board of State Canvassers is to canvass the returns and determine the results of all elections for presidential and vice presidential electors, state officers, U.S. Senators and Representatives, circuit judges, and state Senators and Representatives elected by a district that is located in more than one county. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.841(1). The Board of State Canvassers also determines the results of an election on a proposed amendment to the state constitution or any other ballot question. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.841(1). Upon determining election results, the Board of State Canvassers prepares a certificate of determination and delivers the certificate to the Secretary of State. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.841(1). The Board of State Canvassers also directs, supervises, and controls recounts for statewide and federal elections. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 168.889, 168.890. When a recount is complete, the Board of State Canvassers certifies the result. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.892.

The Board of State Canvassers consists of four members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the state Senate. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22(3). The members serve a term of four years and hold office until successors are appointed. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22b. The Board of State Canvassers must be composed of two members from each major political party. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22(3).

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Board of State Canvassers are:

1. Canvassing the returns and determining the results of all elections for presidential and vice presidential electors, state officers, U.S. Senators and Representatives, circuit judges, and state Senators and Representatives elected by a district that is located in more than one county. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.841(1).
2. Determining the results of an election on a proposed amendment to the state constitution or any other ballot question. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.841(1).
3. Preparing and delivering to the Secretary of State a certificate of determination. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.841(1).
4. Directing, supervising, and controlling recounts for statewide and federal elections. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 168.889, 168.890.
5. Certifying recount result. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.892.

Selection and Vacancy Information

• **Appointed: ****The Board of State Canvassers is appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22(3). Each political party submits to the Governor a list of three nominees for each position the party is entitled to on the Board of State Canvassers. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22a. The Senate Majority Leader, the Senate Minority Leader, the Speaker of the House, and the House Minority Leader also each submit one nominee. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22a. The Governor selects one nominee for each position. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22a.
• Term of Office: Members of the Board of State Canvassers serve a term of four years beginning on the first February 1 following the appointment. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22b. A member holds over after the expiration of the term until a successor is appointed and qualified. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22b.
• Qualifications: A member of the Board of State Canvassers must be a registered voter in the state. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22c. Before taking office, a member must take the constitutional oath of office prescribed in the state constitution. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22c.
• Vacancy: In the case of a vacancy on the Board of State Canvassers (other than the expiration of a term), the state central committee of the appropriate major political party submits a list of three nominees to the Governor for the vacant position. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22a(3). In addition, the majority or minority leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives who represent the same major political party as the vacating member submit one nominee each. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22a(3). All parties must submit their nominees to the Governor on or before the tenth day of the vacancy. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22a(3). On or before the thirtieth day of the vacancy, the Governor selects one nominee for the vacant position. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22a(4). The nominee serves for the remainder of the vacant term. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22a(4).