While speaking in anticipation of “historic turnouts” in the November election, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has today signed legislation that will help the state ensure that every vote is counted on November 3rd.
Whitmer today signed Senate Bill 757, which would allow clerks in certain cities or townships to begin processing absentee ballots prior to election day. It would also provide that clerks will notify voters of any reason their vote won’t be counted within 48 hours. The governor signed the bill alongside Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
The governor says, “We are anticipating historic turnouts in the November election, and we are committed to ensuring every Michigander can cast their vote safely, and that their votes are counted. Whether you mail in an absentee ballot, drop it off at your local clerk, or vote in person on election day, your vote will count on November 3rd.” She adds, “Michigan voters: request your ballot, fill it out, and drop it in the mail by October 19th or take it to your local clerk’s office. Your voice will be heard in November.”
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says, “Michigan citizens can be confident their votes will count and the results of our elections will be an accurate reflection of the will of the people,” adding, “While it falls short of providing the relief clerks have asked for, Senate Bill 757 is a small step in the right direction to allow some clerks additional hours to open envelopes and prepare ballots to be tabulated on Election Day.”
Mary Clark, Delta Township Clerk, says, “Thank you to both Governor Whitmer and Secretary of State Benson for their leadership during this year’s unprecedented election,” and adds, “This critical legislation will give Michigan Clerks the support we need during undoubtedly the most important election of our careers. Myself and Clerks across the state are committed to ensuring the integrity and accuracy of this election.”
SB 757 would amend the Michigan Election Law to allow clerks in cities or townships with a population of at least 25,000 to perform certain absent voter (AV) ballot pre-processing activities prior to Election Day, as long as they give notice of that action to the Secretary of State (SOS) at least 20 days before Election Day. That provision would apply only for the November 3, 2020, general election. The Department of State would have to post any written notices on its website, and the clerk would have to post the notice on the city or township website.
The bill would also allow election inspectors on AV counting boards in cities or townships to work in shifts. Additionally, it would provide requirements for AV ballot drop boxes and notification requirements for AV ballot applications and ballots that were rejected for missing a signature or having one that did not match the signature on file. SB 757 is sponsored by Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-Holly).
The governor was supposed to sign Senate Bill 117 at today’s press conference, which would allow service members and their spouses to return their ballots to their local clerks electronically if they are unable to do so in person. However, the Republican Legislature failed to send the bill to her desk.
On that matter, Whitmer says, “Elections are not the time to play partisan games. Our brave service members and their families put their lives on the line for us, and they deserve leaders who will help them vote,” concluding, “It’s time for the legislature to stop playing games, get back to work, and send this bill to my desk.”
Tripp Adams, a Michigan veteran who served overseas in the United States Army and Navy, said “I think it’s a disservice to our service members and their spouses that the state legislature would hold back already-passed, bipartisan legislation that would ensure these patriots serving overseas can securely exercise their right to vote.”
Liz Snell, a Michigan resident, former nominee for Military Spouse of the Year, and co-founder of Military Spouses of Strength, chimed in as well, saying, “It is time for the state legislature to stop playing games and do the right thing for our democracy and the men and women who serve it overseas.” She notes, “They and their spouses have the right to have their vote counted, and anyone who stands in the way of that clearly misunderstands what it is to serve our state and country.”
SB 117 would amend the Michigan Election Law to require the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) to create a process to allow eligible members to return ballots to their local clerks electronically. Eligible members include a member of a uniformed service on active duty or his or her spouse or member of the merchant marine or his or her spouse who, because of active duty or service, is absent from the U.S. and does not expect to return to the residence where the member or spouse is otherwise qualified to vote before an election. Currently, federal and state law require that ballots must be electronically transmitted or mailed to active duty members of the military at least 45 days before an election. The bill would require the SOS to promulgate rules that establish policies and procedures for the electronic return of voted ballots by eligible members of the military. SB 117 is sponsored by Sen. Adam Hollier (D-Detroit).
On September 30th, Governor Whitmer joined 11 other governors in a joint statement regarding the recent threats to the democratic process and reports of efforts to circumvent the election results. Governors Gretchen Whitmer (MI), Jay Inslee (WA), Kate Brown (OR), Gavin Newsom (CA), Phil Murphy (NJ), J.B. Pritzker (IL), Tony Evers (WI), Tim Walz (MN), Ralph Northam (VA), John Carney (DE), Steve Sisolak (NV) and Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM) stated, “We affirm that all votes cast in the upcoming election will be counted and that democracy will be delivered in this election.”
