Clare County canvass underway; clerk reports early-voting totals and five outstanding ballots

The Clare County Board of Commissioners heard an elections update during its meeting, with the county election official reporting early-voting turnout by township and an ongoing canvass.

County Clerk (as labeled in the meeting) told the board that early voting had strong turnout, with examples called out at the meeting including Arthur (62), Clare (144), Franklin (99) and Greenwood (158). The clerk said the canvass team had been meeting daily and expected to finish canvass work by Friday and certify the election next week.

The clerk said five ballots remained to be added to precinct totals: one affidavit-style "signature cure" ballot whose voter returned to verify a signature, and four military ballots that were postmarked on or before Election Day but arrived after the election. "We have 5 ballots that we haven't even opened yet," the clerk said, noting the team planned to process them the following day.

The clerk also described the retabulation work being done on several precinct machines, saying those procedures can slow the canvass timeline. No challenges or formal disputes were recorded on the public record during the report.

The clerk raised legislation before the state House Judiciary Committee concerning cash-bail reform and suggested the board might consider whether it wanted to draft a resolution in response. The clerk characterized that legislation as moving away from financial bail toward greater use of release on recognizance.

What happens next: the clerk told the board the canvass should finish this week, with certification following after canvass completion and preparation of certificates.