R 168.259 Procedure after receiving a challenge to voter registration.

Rule 9. (1) If a challenge to an individual voter’s registration does not satisfy any 1 of the requirements in R 168.256 and section 512 of the act, MCL 168.512, the challenge must be rejected. (2) If a challenge to an individual voter’s registration does satisfy the requirements in R 168.256 and section 512 of the act, MCL 168.512, the clerk shall do the following: (a) Update the individual’s status in the voter registration database. (b) Send notice of the challenge to the challenged individual. (3) The notice required under subrule (2)(b) of this rule must comply with the following: (a) Be sent by registered or certified mail to the last registered or known address for the challenged individual. (b) Include the grounds for the challenge. (c) Inform the challenged individual that they have 30 days after the day immediately following the date of mailing the notice to respond to the challenge. (d) Inform the challenged individual that failure to respond within 30 days results in the informed individual’s registration being cancelled. (4) To respond to a challenge, a challenged individual may do any 1 of the following: (a) Appear in person before the clerk to take an oath and answer questions confirming that the challenged individual is qualified to be a registered voter where they are currently registered. (b) Submit a notarized affidavit to the clerk confirming that the challenged voter is qualified to be a registered voter where they are currently registered. (c) Respond to the notice and confirm that the challenged individual is not qualified to vote and that their voter registration must be cancelled. (5) If a challenged individual fails to respond to the challenge as explained in subrule (4) of this rule within 30 days after the day immediately following the date of mailing the notice, the clerk shall cancel the individual’s registration. (6) If a challenged individual responds to the challenge to confirm that their voter registration must be cancelled, the clerk shall cancel the individual’s registration. (7) If the challenged voter appears in person as specified under subrule (4)(a) of this rule or submits a notarized affidavit as specified under subrule (4)(b) of this rule and indicates that they are qualified to be a registered voter, the challenge process is complete, the challenge flag in the voter registration database is removed, and the individual remains registered.