Section R. 168.924 - Determining how ballot recounted; rulesRule 24. The following rules as set forth in S168.737 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, as amended, together with applicable court decisions, shall be followed in determining how a ballot shall be recounted.
(a) If the elector makes a cross (x) in the circle under the name of his party at the head of the ballot and does nothing further, he has voted a straight ticket.(b) Where only 1 candidate is to be elected to an office, to vote for a candidate not on his party ticket, the elector should make a cross (x) in the circle under the name of his party, and also make a cross (x) in the square before the name of the candidate for whom he desires to vote on the other ticket. In such case, it shall not be necessary to cross off the name of the candidate on his party ticket. If the elector votes for more than 1 candidate for the same office where only 1 candidate is to be elected to said office, said ballot shall not be counted for either of such candidates, but shall be as to them null and void.(c) When 2 or more candidates are to be elected to the same or like office, such as coroners, to vote for a candidate or candidates not on his party ticket for such office, the elector should mark a cross (x) in the circle under his party name, and mark a cross (x) in the square before the name or names of the candidate or candidates for whom he desires to vote on the other ticket or tickets, and also cross off an equal number of names of the candidates for such office on his party ticket; but if such elector shall not have crossed off the names of an equal number of candidates for such office on his party ticket, he shall be deemed to have crossed off the name of each candidate for such office which is printed on his party ballot opposite the name of the candidate on some other party ticket in front of which name he has made a cross (x);(d) To vote for a candidate not on any ticket, the elector should write or place the name of such candidate on his ticket opposite the name of the office and make a cross (x) in the circle under the party name;(e) A ticket marked with a cross (x) in a circle under a party name shall be deemed a vote for each of the candidates named in such party column whose name is not crossed off, except those candidates where a cross (x) is placed in the square before the name of some opposing candidate on another ticket, or where there is written or pasted on the party ticket a name which is not printed on any party ticket;(f) If the name of any person who is not a candidate on any ticket is written or placed on the party ticket opposite the name of the office and there is a cross (x) in the circle under the party name, the name so written or placed shall be counted 1 vote for such person, whether the original name on the party ticket is erased or not, excepting cases where there is a cross (x) in the square before the name of some opposite candidate on some other party ticket;(g) If no cross (x) is placed in the circle under the party name, a cross (x) in the square before the name of any candidate shall be deemed a vote for such candidate except in cases where the elector votes for more candidates for the same office than are to be elected; and(h) Such elector shall indicate his preference on any constitutional amendment or other submitted question by making a cross (x) in the square opposite the word "Yes" or in the square opposite the word "No" opposite or below such question on the proper ballots.Mich. Admin. Code R. 168.924