Michigan legislation · 103rd Legislature
Michigan SB963: Elections: voters; language assistance for elections act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0961'26, SB 0962'26
Status: In committee, June 16, 2026
What the bill says
To provide for language assistance for elections; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; to create the language access advisory council; and to provide for remedies.
From the engrossed text, June 16, 2026:
A bill to provide for language assistance for elections; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; to create the language access advisory council; and to provide for remedies. the people of the state of michigan enact: Sec. 1. This act may be cited as the "language assistance for elections act". Sec. 3. As used in this act: (a) "Limited English proficiency" means an individual who does not speak English as that individual's primary language and who speaks, reads, or understands the English language less than very well. (b) "Local government" means a county, or a city or township that conducts an election. (c) "Michigan voting and elections database and institute" means the Michigan voting and elections database and institute created in section 5 of the voting and elections database and institute act. (d) "Voting-eligible population" means the population of individuals with United States citizenship who are 18 years of age or older. Sec. 5. (1) A local government must provide language assistance for elections conducted in that local government if that local government meets either of the following conditions: (a) Before January 1, 2030, has more than 5% of the voting-eligible population in that local government who speak a single shared language other than English and have limited English proficiency, or, …
Sponsors
- Chang, Stephanie (D, 3) · primary sponsor
- Camilleri, Darrin (D, 4)
- Geiss, Erika (D, 1)
- Moss, Jeremy (D, 7)
- Santana, Sylvia (D, 2)
- Singh, Sam (D, 28)
- Cavanagh, Mary (D, 6)
- Shink, Sue (D, 14)
- Klinefelt, Veronica (D, 11)
- Polehanki, Dayna (D, 5)
- Brinks, Winnie (D, 29)
- Irwin, Jeff (D, 15)
Latest actions
- : referred to Committee on Election Integrity
- : read a first time
- : received on 06/16/2026
- : PASSED ROLL CALL # 123 YEAS 20 NAYS 17 EXCUSED 1 NOT VOTING 0
- : PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING
- : REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT(S)
- : REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
- : REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 5/20/2026
- : SENATE CO-SPONSOR(S) NAMED: MALLORY MCMORROW
- : REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS AND ETHICS
Votes
- PASSED (June 16, 2026): 20 yea, 17 nay, passed
- Reported Favorably Without Amendment 5/20/2026 (May 27, 2026): 4 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Local government: other, Elections: election officials, Civil rights: other, Elections: voters, State agencies (existing): state, Elections: voting procedures
Common questions
- What is SB963?
- SB963 is a bill in the Michigan Legislature (103rd Legislature): Elections: voters; language assistance for elections act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0961'26, SB 0962'26.
- What does SB963 do?
- In its own words: To provide for language assistance for elections; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; to create the language access advisory council; and to provide for remedies.
- What is the status of SB963?
- In committee as of June 16, 2026. Latest action: referred to Committee on Election Integrity (June 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB963?
- Chang, Stephanie (D, 3), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB963?
- On the Michigan Legislature website: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2026-SB-0963
Source: official Michigan record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.