§ 168.560bName 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


                                                                   Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 9 of 2026
Rendered Thursday, April 30, 2026             Page 223 of 478                              Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov

 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.