Nearly 40 cities and townships rolled out nine days of early voting for the first time. This year’s election is something of a trial run before a heavy ballot in 2024.
After voters changed the constitution, at least 38 communities are providing early voting before the Nov. 7 election. The local elections are expected to work out the kinks before next year’s presidential contest.
The Secretary of State vows an appeal of a ruling that found she flouted state law in rolling out rules limiting poll challengers. It’s the most recent ruling finding that she overstepped her authority.
Elections clerks have been harassed and threatened since the 2020 election. New legislation would beef up penalties, but critics say it’s already illegal to harass and intimidate public officials.
The legislation, applauded by voting rights activists, would ensure departing inmates know they get their voting rights back by requiring them to receive ID and voting registration information.
Charges against three Trump loyalists demonstrate that, despite being tested, Michigan’s election laws and security systems still work, say clerks and other officials.
Legislators move to approve changes mandated by last year’s Proposal 2, allowing clerks to offer it as long as 29 days. The legislation is expected to head soon to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Michigan had one of the highest rates of young voter turnout in 2022. Now, lawmakers want Michigan to join other states in allowing 16 year-olds to pre-register, making them automatically eligible to cast ballots when they turn 18.
In their efforts to remove dead voters and residents who have moved, state officials and clerks call on community groups to check their work and make sure no eligible voters have their registrations canceled.
Michigan voters approved nine days of early voting and a host of other changes. Many clerks welcome the changes but say more money is needed for drop boxes, staffing and other improvements.
Conservatives paid most of the costs to recount precincts in 43 counties. Few votes were changed and the passage of both proposals was confirmed by recount that some called a ‘fishing expedition.’
A conservative group is footing the bulk of the bill for a ‘fishing expedition’ recount of Proposals 2 and 3. But local clerks say municipalities still will have to pay thousands in fees.
Half of Michigan votes in next week's election are expected to be cast absentee, but many municipalities aren't taking advantage of new rules allowing some pre-processing.
Election officials say there’s a lot to like about the ballot measure, but it leaves out key details, including who will pay to accommodate early voting.
Michigan’s decentralized election administration means the first line of defense in election security are the 1,609 county, municipal and township clerks, who are responsible for overseeing and protecting equipment and following the law — or not.
