DETROIT – Michigan’s secretary of state refuted a claim from former President Donald Trump about Detroit’s absentee ballot situation on Election Day.
Trump posted a message on TruthSocial -- the social media platform he founded -- telling residents to protest.
Recommended Videos
“The absentee ballot situation in Detroit is REALLY BAD,” Trump wrote. “People are showing up to vote, only to be told, ‘Sorry, you have already voted.’ This is happening in large numbers, elsewhere, as well. Protest, protest, protest!”
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson posted on Twitter that Trump’s claim isn’t true.
“Hi again,” Benson wrote. “This isn’t true. Please don’t spread lies to foment or encourage political violence in our state. Or anywhere. Thanks.”
Trump’s message comes just after the Republican candidate for Michigan secretary of state, Kristina Karamo, attempted to disqualify all absentee ballots for the city of Detroit in a lawsuit filed just weeks before Election Day. In the suit, Karamo alleged that the absentee ballot counting system in Detroit is flawed and violates election law.
A judge on Monday completely refuted such claims, however, saying the suit “failed dramatically,” and that the claims made by Karamo were “unsubstantiated and/or misinterpret Michigan election law.”
“Plaintiffs have raised a false flag of election law violations and corruption concerning Detroit’s procedures for the November 8th election. This Court’s ruling takes down that flag,” a Wayne County circuit court ruling reads Monday.
“Plaintiffs’ failure to produce any evidence that the procedures for this November 8th election violate state or federal election law demonizes the Detroit City Clerk, her office staff, and the 1,200 volunteers working this election. These claims are unjustified, devoid of any evidentiary basis and cannot be allowed to stand.”
Read more: Judge rejects Michigan GOP SOS candidate’s request to disqualify absentee ballots in Detroit