Michigan ballots postmarked by Nov. 2 must be counted in election, judge rules

Source: Detroit Free Press

Paul Egan
Detroit Free Press


LANSING — All ballots postmarked as late as the day before Election Day must be counted, even if they arrive after the polls close, so long as they arrive in the mail before election results are certified, a judge has ruled.

Michigan Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens made the ruling in a lawsuit brought by the Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans, citing special provisions needed for the current election, due to the coronavirus pandemic and delays in U.S. postal service.

Currently, only ballots that arrive before the polls close on Election Day are counted.

The ruling is likely to be appealed.

Stephens also ruled that, for the Nov. 3 election, voters casting an absentee ballot can get transportation help from anyone they want in returning their ballots to local clerks, from the Friday before Election Day to the close of polls. Normally, it is a misdemeanor to hire drivers to take voters to polling places unless they physically cannot walk

Read more: https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/18/absentee-ballot-mail-michigan-election-2020-usps/3492609001/