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Board of State Canvassers certifies 44th House recount; Frisbie’s margin increases
Summary
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers certified a hand recount in the 44th State House District, and Bureau of Elections staff reported Steve Frisbie’s margin grew to 79 votes. The board approved certification by voice vote; staff noted three precincts could not be recounted because ballots were in containers outside recount authority.
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers on a voice vote certified the result of a hand recount in the 44th State House District, concluding that Steve Frisbie won the Nov. 5, 2024, general election.
Director Bridal of the Bureau of Elections told the board the hand recount verified that paper ballots corresponded with tabulated totals and that both candidates gained votes during the review. “Steve Frisbie picked up 60 votes, and Jim Hazma picked up 42 votes,” Bridal said, adding that the net change increased Frisbie’s margin from 61 to 79 votes.
Bridal described the recount as efficient and orderly and praised bureau and county staff. He also said three precincts were “unrecountable” because ballots were placed in containers that were not part of the recount and therefore could not be opened under the bureau’s statutory authority. He said that, where possible, most precincts were recounted; training and refined procedures were opportunities identified to reduce similar problems in the future.
Board members asked staff technical questions about early‑voting sites and how split precincts or census‑block boundaries can leave only a small number of voters in a house district slice; Bridal explained that those geographic and administrative mismatches can occur and cited limits on corrections after districts are drawn.
A board member moved to certify the attached statement of votes and to certify that Steve Frisbie was elected to the office of state representative for District 44. The motion was supported and the chair called for the ayes; members said “Aye” and the chair declared the motion carries. The transcript records the certification motion and the chair’s announcement of the outcome but does not contain a roll‑call vote tally by member name.
Next steps: the board certified the recount record for the public minutes. Staff identified areas for training and procedural improvement to reduce incidents in which ballots are not available to a recount because of container placement.
