Help Me Hank tracking any issues at polls during 2022 primary election

Things Tuesday were almost problem free

DETROIT – As he does every election day, Help Me Hank has been tracking any issues at the polls regarding people exercising their right to vote.

The lines haven’t been long Tuesday, but they have been steady as more than one million Michiganders have already voted absentee.

Deborah Miles came out to vote on Detroit’s west side.

“It’s important for your vote,” said Miles. “We need to count, and if we are not here, then we won’t have nothing to say about nothing that is going on.”

Things Tuesday were almost problem free.

The Secretary of State says the biggest threat to democracy is misinformation.

“We’re prepared for anything today, but I would say the biggest challenge is countering the misinformation that ranges from everything from where do I vote to how do I vote to is my vote going to count,” said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.”

Misinformation can be spread online or, in some select cases, in person at precincts. However, on Tuesday (Aug. 2), so far, no reports of people trying to trick you or get you not to vote.

The penalties can be severe. Here’s Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

“I think it’s important that people know that intentionally distributing misinformation or disinformation if it causes a person to be deterred from voting is actually a crime,” said Nessel. “We’ve charged that before actually in 2020. We’ve charged a number of people with that.”


About the Authors:

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.

Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service.