R 168.251 Definitions.

Rule 1. (1) As used in these rules: (a) “Act” means the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.1 to 168.992. (b) “Cancellation notice” means the notice that is sent to a voter when the clerk receives reliable information that the voter has moved to a new jurisdiction or reliable information that the voter has moved to an unknown address, as described in section 509aa(3) and (5) of the act, MCL 168.509aa. Sending this notice begins the cancellation countdown. (c) “Challenge” means the process by which a registered voter may challenge the validity of another registered voter’s registration status. (d) “Confirmation notice” means the notice that is sent to a voter when the clerk receives reliable information that the voter has moved within the clerk’s jurisdiction, as described in section 509aa(2) of the act, MCL 168.509aa. (e) “Election activity” means any voter transaction, including, but not limited to, requesting an absentee voter ballot, returning a voted absentee ballot, voting in person during early voting or on election day, confirmation in the voter registration database of the individual signing a petition, or other voter-initiated transaction, such as notice of a move. (f) “Personal knowledge” means information that an individual knows to be true based on direct, firsthand observance. In the case of a voter’s residency, to constitute personal knowledge an individual shall know the voter is not a resident for voting purposes. Observing reliable information indicating a voter has moved does not constitute personal knowledge that a voter is not a resident for voting purposes. (g) “Reliable information” means information indicating that an individual has moved, which election officials can trust confidently, is specific to a voter, and is objectively verifiable. Reliable information that a voter has moved requires notice, waiting period, and confirmation as described in this rule set and the act before a voter’s registration can be cancelled on the basis that the voter is no longer a resident for voting purposes. (h) “Returned election mail” means mail, such as voter information cards, notices, absentee ballot applications, and absentee ballots, that is returned by the post office either as undeliverable or with an updated address. (i) “Voter registration database” means the qualified voter file as defined in section 509m of the act, MCL 168.509m, or its successor. (j) “Waiting period” means the requirement in section 8 of the national voter registration act of 1993, 52 USC 20507, that an individual’s registration must not be cancelled until that individual has failed to respond to a notice and has not voted or engaged in any election activity in 2 successive federal November general election cycles. The waiting period is also referred to as the cancellation countdown. (2) Unless otherwise defined in these rules, a term defined in the act has the same meaning when used in these rules.