8 Key Benchmarks to Monitor in Michigan’s Vote Counting, Certification Processes and Guard Against Election Subversion
Informing Democracy issues new guide detailing each step of Michigan’s vote counting, and certification processes to help reporters, and pro-democracy allies safeguard against election subversion
Group Pinpoints 8 Crucial Benchmarks To Watch After Polls Close To Identify Potential Breakdowns In The System
Guide Identifies Michigan State and Local Official Responsible For Each Step Of the Process To Ensure Accountability
Informing Democracy Will Run Rapid Response Identifying Real-Time Problems In Michigan After Polls Close
Background Briefings Available For Reporters Upon Request
Full Guide Can Be Found Here
Today, Informing Democracy, a new non-profit organization made up of election professionals, researchers, and lawyers, released a detailed report that analyzes the process, practice, and personnel involved in Michigan’s vote counting and election certification to help reporters and watchdogs safeguard against any attempts at election subversion.
The report outlines Michigan’s multi-step process to count votes and certify results, as well as the specific officials who are responsible for each step. Importantly, the group identified eight key benchmarks in the process the days and weeks after polls close that watchers should pay close attention to in order to check that there aren’t any breakdowns in the system perpetrated by those attempting to subvert the election. Further, it indicates which state and local official(s) have responsibility for any step in which a breakdown occurs.
The goal of the report is to 1) to build confidence in the vote counting and election certification processes by showing, in detail, the systems, checks, and quality assurance steps in place; and 2) to allow pro-democracy partners and reporters to better monitor our elections, target corrective action, and, in turn, protect the integrity of our elections from potential vulnerabilities.
“We undertook this project in response to the growing movement to subvert the outcome of free and fair elections, and the known and documented support from some elected and appointed officials in that effort,” says the report. “While anti-democratic forces once focused most of their attention on compromising access to voting, they have taken new aim at the vote counting and election certification processes. Although we have not seen election results overturned as a result, this movement is gaining momentum, and the threat is real.”
Informing Democracy will be doing rapid response beginning on Election Day identifying real time problems before and after the vote counting and election certification processes get under way.
The full guide can be found here.
Eight Key Benchmarks To Watch For After The Polls Close
The following are eight key and observable steps in the exhaustive step by step processes of vote counting and election certification in Michigan and will help outside watchers track if the process is progressing smoothly, or if problems are impeding these essential activities.
These benchmark steps encompass the vote tabulation, internal error checking, canvassing, and certification decision points that could present evidence of any subversion efforts.
Completion of Count. Look for the unofficial results starting at 8pm on Election Night and continuing as they are released. Some results will likely come in much sooner. Under state law County Boards should receive initial results from in person votes and some absentees no later than 2 am after the Election and are required to make them available to the public. The Secretary of the Commonwealth should get the unofficial results by 3 am. Look for additional results in the following days.
Counting of Early Absentee Votes. Tabulation of early votes can start on election day. Look for results when polls close and in the following days.
Curing and Counting of Provisional Ballots. Updates on outstanding provisionals and cures may come from City Clerks over the 6 days after the election. Look for counts from provisional ballots to be included in the count within 7 days.
County Canvass and Certification. Look for information on a meeting of the Board of County Canvassers no later than 9 am on the Thursday following the election. This must be complete by no later than the 14th day after the election.
State Canvass and Certification. Look for information on a public meeting of the Board of State Canvassers on or before 20 days after the election. This step must end within 40 days after the election.
Automatic Recount. Automatic recounts occur after state canvass if the vote differential is of 2,000 votes or less.
Recounts By Petition. Petition must be filed within six days of the original county canvass (for offices canvassed by the Board of County Canvassers) and within 48 hours after the original canvass (for offices canvassed by the Board of State Canvassers).
State Certification. Look for a public meeting of the Board of State Canvassers on or before the 20th day after the election to certify statewide races, legislative races that that cross-county lines and most judicial races. For races involved in a recount, certification would be at a later meeting.