State would repay local governments for certain special election costs

Michigan would repay local governments for approved costs of covered special elections. Counties, cities, and townships would qualify when the governor orders a special election to fill a state Senate or House vacancy and it falls outside a regular election date. Payment would require an approved, verified account of actual costs and could not exceed those costs. The Michigan Department of Treasury and secretary of state would agree on which costs qualify. Permanent local officials’ salaries and reusable supplies and equipment would not qualify. The legislature would have to set aside enough money from the state general fund to carry out these requirements.

Local governments would submit verified election costs to the Michigan Department of Treasury, and the state would pay or deny all or part of the claim. These rules would cover counties, cities, and townships seeking repayment for the special elections described above. A local government would have to submit its claim on time to qualify for repayment. The state would have to send reasons for any full or partial denial and review denied costs with the local government if it requests a review. Claims would be due no later than 90 days after the special election. The state would have to pay or deny all or part of a claim no later than 90 days after Treasury receives it.