Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 168 / Act 116 of 1954
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.560b (2026)

Name appearing on ballot; change; appearance of given and middle name; nickname; common law name; married name; violation.

✓ current as of July 2026
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MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW


Act 116 of 1954


168.560b Name appearing on ballot; change; appearance of given and middle name; nickname; common law name; married name; violation.

Sec. 560b.

    (1) A candidate required to indicate a name change on the affidavit of identity under section 558 shall be listed on the ballot with his or her current name and former name as prescribed by the secretary of state.

    (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), both a candidate's given name and surname that he or she was given at birth, and only those names, shall appear on the ballot, except under 1 of the following circumstances:

    (a) The name in question, whether a given name, a surname, or otherwise, is a name that was formally changed.

    (b) The candidate is subject to subsection (1).

    (c) The name in question, whether a given name, a surname, or otherwise, is 1 of the following:

    (i) A name that was changed in a certificate of naturalization issued by a federal district court at the time the individual became a naturalized citizen at least 10 years before filing as a candidate.

    (ii) A name that was changed because of marriage.

    (iii) A name that was changed because of divorce, but only if to a legal name by which the individual was previously known.

    (3) A candidate may specify that both his or her given name and middle name, or only a middle name, shall appear on the ballot. A candidate may specify that either an initial or a recognized diminutive for the candidate's given or middle name, or for both, shall appear on the ballot. In addition, a candidate may specify that a common law name used in accordance with Michigan department of state guidelines for use of a common law name on a driver license or state personal identification card shall appear on that ballot.

    (4) A candidate is prohibited from specifying that a nickname that is not a recognized diminutive of the candidate's common law name, given name, or middle name appear on the ballot. A married individual is prohibited from specifying that his or her spouse's given name, or an alternative for that given name otherwise permitted under subsection (3), appear on the ballot.

    (5) A ballot that would violate this section shall not be produced, printed, or distributed.

History: Add. 2002, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Apr. 9, 2002 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 128, Imd. Eff. May 14, 2012

Compiler's Notes:

    Former MCL 168.560b, which pertained to primary election ballot and rights of voters, was repealed by Act 116 of 1988, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1988.

PopularName Notes:

Election Code
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1976–2026 · leading case: Socialist Workers Party v. Sec'y of State, 317 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 1982).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Socialist Workers Party v. Sec'y of State, 317 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 1982). · cites it 8× “[7] MCL 168.560b(1); MSA 6.1560(2)(1). [8] MCL 168.”
Hudler v. Austin, 419 F. Supp. 1002 (E.D. Mich. 1976). · cites it 8× “§ 168.560b(1), (2), (4). Thus, a voter at the primary may vote for the candidates of any one party listed on the ballot or indicate a desire for a ballot position for a "new" party and its candidates at the next general election.”
Woodland v. Michigan Citizens Lobby, 378 N.W.2d 337 (Mich. 1985). · cites it 2× “But see MCL 168.560b(4); MSA 6.1560(2)(4). Generally, the number of signatures required for ballot access in other situations is also relatively small.”
McCarthy v. Austin, 423 F. Supp. 990 (W.D. Mich. 1976). · cites it 2× “§ 168.560b. Ordered to take immediate effect.”
Robert Davis v. Sec'y of State (Mich. Ct. App. 2026). · cites it 7× “(e) A name that constitutes a common law name as provided in [MCL 168.560b.] [MCL 168.558(3).] -7- At issue here is the exception for common-law names as provided in MCL 168.”
Robert Davis v. Wayne Cnty. Election Comm'n (Mich. Ct. App. 2023). “HATHAWAY’S NAME Lastly, Davis argues that the trial court should not have dismissed his claim relating to Hathaway because MCL 168.560b required Hathaway’s original surname, Bobak, to be included in his name on the ballot.”
Robert Davis v. Janice Winfrey (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). “558(2) (requirements of the AOI) and MCL 168.560b (name changes). 8 Merriam-Webster.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.560b(1) — 2 cases
Socialist Workers Party v. Sec'y of State, 317 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 1982). “[7] MCL 168.560b(1); MSA 6.1560(2)(1). [8] MCL 168.”
Hudler v. Austin, 419 F. Supp. 1002 (E.D. Mich. 1976). “§ 168.560b(1), (2), (4). Thus, a voter at the primary may vote for the candidates of any one party listed on the ballot or indicate a desire for a ballot position for a "new" party and its candidates at the next general election.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.560b(2) — 1 case
Socialist Workers Party v. Sec'y of State, 317 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 1982). “[7] MCL 168.560b(1); MSA 6.1560(2)(1). [8] MCL 168.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.560b(3) — 3 cases
Hudler v. Austin, 419 F. Supp. 1002 (E.D. Mich. 1976). “§ 168.560b(1), (2), (4). Thus, a voter at the primary may vote for the candidates of any one party listed on the ballot or indicate a desire for a ballot position for a "new" party and its candidates at the next general election.”
Socialist Workers Party v. Sec'y of State, 317 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 1982). “[7] MCL 168.560b(1); MSA 6.1560(2)(1). [8] MCL 168.”
Robert Davis v. Sec'y of State (Mich. Ct. App. 2026). “(e) A name that constitutes a common law name as provided in [MCL 168.560b.] [MCL 168.558(3).] -7- At issue here is the exception for common-law names as provided in MCL 168.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.560b(4) — 3 cases
Woodland v. Michigan Citizens Lobby, 378 N.W.2d 337 (Mich. 1985). “But see MCL 168.560b(4); MSA 6.1560(2)(4). Generally, the number of signatures required for ballot access in other situations is also relatively small.”
Socialist Workers Party v. Sec'y of State, 317 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 1982). “[7] MCL 168.560b(1); MSA 6.1560(2)(1). [8] MCL 168.”
Hudler v. Austin, 419 F. Supp. 1002 (E.D. Mich. 1976). “§ 168.560b(1), (2), (4). Thus, a voter at the primary may vote for the candidates of any one party listed on the ballot or indicate a desire for a ballot position for a "new" party and its candidates at the next general election.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.560b(l) — 2 cases
Socialist Workers Party v. Sec'y of State, 317 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 1982). “[7] MCL 168.560b(1); MSA 6.1560(2)(1). [8] MCL 168.”
Hudler v. Austin, 419 F. Supp. 1002 (E.D. Mich. 1976). “§ 168.560b(1), (2), (4). Thus, a voter at the primary may vote for the candidates of any one party listed on the ballot or indicate a desire for a ballot position for a "new" party and its candidates at the next general election.”
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