State canvassers certify August primary returns; public commenters press Wayne County concerns

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers voted to certify the canvass of the August primary after Bureau of Elections staff reported the returns were complete and that clerks and canvassing boards largely handled new procedures smoothly.

Director Bridal told the board the state saw "a turnout of about 2,000,000 almost on the nose," including roughly 1,200,000 absentee ballots and more than 70,000 in-person early votes. Bridal praised local election inspectors and clerks for adapting to changes such as ballot-on-demand at some early-voting sites and early tabulation of absentee ballots.

During public comment, Artisia Baumer urged the board not to certify Wayne County's results, alleging about 381 ballots had been compromised at a county canvass and saying she has filed a writ of mandamus. Baumer also raised concerns about ballot-order rotation and asked who could remove a candidate from the ballot; she said she planned local recounts in several Wayne County cities.

Board members and Bridal responded that county boards of canvassers certify county returns and that the court system and post-certification remedies (such as recounts or litigation) are the appropriate routes to address alleged misconduct or mishandling. Bridal said some counties took longer than others to forward unofficial results because of older technology and a Wayne County network issue but emphasized the priority of accurate returns.

A motion to certify the attached report of the August primary passed and was recorded by staff as certified at 10:27 a.m. The board also voted to authorize Bureau of Elections staff to represent the board in any recounts stemming from the August election.

The board moved next to petition and qualification items; members said they will continue evaluating procedural improvements for future election cycles.