ABSENTEE BALLOT

Ahead of the primary, more than one million ballots have been cast in Michigan, according to Michigan's Secretary of State.

Absentee ballot requests are up substantially since 2018. Currently, 1.6 million absentee ballot requests have been made, and 432,906 have already been returned.

Michigan lawmakers have reached an agreement that would allow larger municipalities to begin processing ballots two days before an election.

Here's where you can register to vote or request an absentee ballot on U-M's campus.

Michigan voters can now request an absent voter ballot for the Nov. 8, 2022, general election.

For political reasons, many politicians -- mostly Republicans -- have tried to convince the electorate the absentee ballots are not a safe and secure way to vote.

The proposals make amendments to the city charter to include procedures of best value purchasing, ranked choice voting, emergency procurement and monetary limits on purchases.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State House, Senate and Capitol buildings will be closed Monday as the Electoral College meets. RELATED: What’s in store when the Electoral College meets“The decision was not made because of anticipated protests, but was made based on credible threats of violence,” McCann said. That decision is made by the Capitol Commission.”Electors will be given police escorts Monday and one said she’s taking things further and will be wearing a bullet-proof vest. You can watch the Electoral College meeting here. Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani has targeted Detroit in recent weeks, despite there being no evidence of fraud in the city.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State House, Senate and Capitol buildings will be closed Monday as the Electoral College meets. According to Rep. Darrin Camilleri, the entire legislature will be working remotely due to safety concerns during the Electoral College vote. RELATED: What’s in store when the Electoral College meetsCamilleri said he was not briefed on the potential threats, but said when the offices have closed in the past, it was due to threats. You can watch the Electoral College meeting here. I call on the House Republicans who joined the recent court case to publicly apologize, renounce their actions and respect the will of the voters.

The Michigan Bureau of Elections has released preliminary plans for what it is calling “the most comprehensive post-election audits of any election in state history.”The audits will include a statewide risk-limiting audit, a complete zero-margin risk-limiting audit in Antrim County, and procedural audits in more than 200 jurisdictions statewide, including absentee ballot counting boards, according to the Bureau. Related: Few Michigan absentee ballots rejected amid record voter turnout in 2020 election“I am a longstanding proponent of post-election audits to review election procedure and affirm public confidence in our elections,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in a news release Wednesday. “By conducting the most comprehensive set of audits in our state’s history, the Bureau of Elections and Michigan’s more than 1,600 local election clerks are demonstrating the integrity of our election.”The Bureau published the following list of precincts and absentee ballot counting boards that it says will undergo procedural audits conducted by either counties or the state:View here: Michigan 2020 General Election resultsRead: Fact-checking 5 claims about mail-in votingRead: Trump’s legal team cried vote fraud, but courts found none

One woman drove halfway across the country to cast her vote. READ: Live Michigan election updates: 2.6 million absentee ballots turned inOne Michigan woman, who actually resides in Florida, decided she only had one option. “My husband votes by mail, but I told him, ‘We’re not going to do that,'” she said. She said they sat 35 minutes in a line in the Orlando rain, but did cast their votes. She is said she is a lifelong Michigan resident but it’s likely the couple will move permanently to Florida.

ANN ARBOR – Election Day is here and we want to see you in your civic glory. Share your ‘I Voted’ selfies with us in the gallery below. Already voted absentee? Have a picture returning your ballot at the City Clerk’s Office or an official drop box? Enter your photos below:

Voting in the 2020 U.S. presidential election is already underway in Michigan with early in-person voting and absentee voting. All Michigan voters are eligible to vote using an absent voter ballot. You can apply to receive an absent voter ballot on the state’s website right here. Michigan voters registered to vote at their current address can request an absentee ballot in person at their local clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on the day before Election Day -- which is November 2. Once completed, your absentee ballot must be returned to your local clerk’s office no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.

Filling out your Michigan absent voter ballotIt’s important to be cautious and follow directions precisely when filling out a Michigan absent voter ballot to ensure it is counted on Election Day. Inside of your official Michigan absent voter ballot envelope is a brightly-colored “secrecy sleeve” containing your ballot. Packaging your absent voter ballot once it’s completedOnce you’ve filled out your Michigan absent voter ballot for the 2020 General Election, place it inside of the brightly-colored secrecy sleeve that it was initially presented in. To return your absent voter ballot on time, you have two options:Return your absent voter ballot in personYou can return your completed absent voter ballot by delivering it to your local clerk’s office before the 8 p.m. deadline on November 3. Return your absent voter ballot by mailYou can also return your completed absent voter ballot by mailing it to your local clerk’s office -- though this option is not recommended as the deadline to return your ballot approaches.

PONTIAC, Mich. – Oakland County officials are testing election security, and election workers are testing for every possible way to fill out a ballot to make sure nothing is out of place before Election Day. We have so many checks and balances in place in Michigan,” said Oakland County clerk Lisa Brown. Millions have already cast their ballots, and county clerks are working to be able to prepare their counts one day early. Election officials are also warning to get ballots in as soon as possible or even drop them off in person so the count can get underway on Nov. 3. My staff’s done an incredible job to find the most efficient process, and I think we’ll be OK,” Brown said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – As part of the City of Ann Arbor’s efforts to prepare for a high volume of ballot returns for the presidential election on Nov. 3, additional ballot boxes have been placed around the city. In addition to the Larcom City Hall box, six new boxes can be found around Ann Arbor where city voters can return their ballots. Outside, by the Eisenhower entrance of Ann Arbor Fire Station 6, 1881 Briarwood Circle . In addition to City Hall, there are now 6 new City of Ann Arbor ballot drop boxes installed, securely, throughout the city. Voters with questions about voting in Ann Arbor should visit www.a2gov.org/electionsRelated:A look inside the Ann Arbor City Clerk’s U-M Museum of Art satellite officeAnn Arbor City Clerk’s Office extends hours in October

DETROIT – On Friday, Detroit’s city clerk and postmaster discussed the process of how ballots already in the mail will be handled this year. “Every ballot will reach its intended destination,” said Detroit Postmaster, Darron Bray. “We will timely deliver all election mail, and we will do that definitely securely,” Bray said. Winfrey is urging voters to trust that everything will go smoothly on Election Day. Trust the process,” Winfrey said.

All rights reserved)SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Township officials will be holding a drive-thru voting event this Saturday in Shelby Township. Residents will be able to drive to the Township Hall, fill out an absentee ballot form and vote there. The drive-thru voting event will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Members of the clerk’s staff will be there to assist voters. Residents can either fill out the absentee ballots there, or take them home to complete them. The drive-thru voting event will take place at the Shelby Township Hall located at 52700 Van Dyke Avenue.

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Gov. Trump has spread falsehoods about mail voting, suggesting without evidence that the process — which is surging in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic — was ripe for fraud. Texas is one of just five states not allowing widespread mail-in voting this year, with polls showing unusually tight races in America’s biggest red state. “Mail ballot voters shouldn’t have to drive 30 miles to drop off their ballot, or rely on a mail system that’s facing cutbacks,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a Democrat. “Our office is more than willing to accommodate poll watchers at mail ballot drop-off locations,” Hollins said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – University of Michigan students, faculty and staff and Ann Arbor residents can now register to vote or cast early in-person absentee ballots at an Ann Arbor City Clerk satellite office right in the heart of the University of Michigan Museum of Art. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson visited Ann Arbor City Clerk's satellite office in the University of Michigan Museum of Art on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 (Sarah M. Parlette / WDIV)The UMMA space is the state’s first-ever satellite city clerk’s office on a university campus. (Sarah M. Parlette / WDIV)A look at the new Ann Arbor City Council satellite office in the UMMA. (Sarah M. Parlette / WDIV)A look at the new Ann Arbor City Council satellite office in the UMMA. The satellite office is located in UMMA’s first floor Stenn Gallery at 525 S. State St.Related: Ann Arbor City Clerk to open satellite office at U-M Museum of Art

ANN ARBOR – The city of Ann Arbor has established a satellite office for the upcoming general election in a gallery space at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. Starting Sept. 24., U-M students, faculty and staff can register to vote and cast early in-person absentee ballots at UMMA. “This was a natural fit," Ann Arbor City Clerk Jacqueline Beaudry said in a statement. In the 2016 presidential election and the 2018 midterms, 44 percent and 41 percent of U-M students voted, respectively. Members of the public are asked to visit the Ann Arbor City Clerk’s Office at 301 E. Huron St.

Once you’re officially registered to vote in Michigan, you will be assigned a physical polling location at which you can vote on Election Day. How to request an absent voter ballot in Michigan for the 2020 General ElectionIf you’re registered to vote and hoping to vote absentee in Michigan for the 2020 General Election but have not yet requested an absent voter ballot, don’t worry -- you still have time. Michigan also allows same-day voter registration -- meaning you can register to vote on Election Day. Absent voter ballots will be mailed out to Michigan voters as early as 40 days before Election Day, which is September 24 for the 2020 General Election. Learn more about voting by mail in Michigan for the 2020 General Election here.

Most Michigan residents who are at least 18 years of age are eligible to register to vote and to vote. Michigan residents have the option to register to vote on the day of an election -- which, in this case, is Nov. 3. Once you’re officially registered to vote in Michigan, you will be assigned a physical polling location at which you can vote on Election Day. How to request an absent voter ballot in Michigan for the 2020 General ElectionIf you’re registered to vote and hoping to vote absentee in Michigan for the 2020 General Election but have not yet requested an absent voter ballot, don’t worry -- you still have time. Absent voter ballots will be mailed out to Michigan voters as early as 40 days before Election Day, which is September 24 for the 2020 General Election.

The state of Michigan mailed absentee voting applications to all registered Michigan voters in May for this years August and November elections. Michigan voters who have already requested an absent voter ballot for the November election can begin receiving their ballot up to 40 days prior to Election Day -- which is September 24. If youre hoping to vote absentee in Michigan for the 2020 General Election but have not yet requested an absent voter ballot, dont worry -- you still have time. You can apply to receive an absent voter ballot on the states website right here. To check on the status of an absent voter ballot application, registered Michigan voters are encouraged to contact their city or township clerks office directly.

The state of Michigan mailed absentee voting applications to all registered Michigan voters in May for this years August and November elections. Filling out a Michigan absent voter ballot for the 2020 General ElectionOnce you receive your absent voter ballot in the mail, it simply needs to be filled out following the written instructions attached and returned before the deadline. Inside of your official Michigan absent voter ballot envelope is a brightly-colored secrecy sleeve containing your ballot. Returning your completed Michigan absent voter ballotCompleted absent voter ballots for the 2020 General Election must be received by your local clerks office by 8 p.m. on November 3. Packaging your absent voter ballot once its completedOnce youve filled out your Michigan absent voter ballot for the 2020 General Election, place it inside of the brightly-colored secrecy sleeve that it was initially presented in.

DETROIT An activist is suing Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for an inaccurate count reported from Detroits absentee ballot precincts in the August primary. The Michigan Court of Appeals has agreed to hear the case. Robert Davis, who is suing Benson over the miscount and attended the canvass of Detroits votes, said he had no choice. During the primary election, 72 percent of Detroits absentee ballot precincts had an inaccurate count. If the books dont match that means a recount is not legally possible which in a tight race is problematic.

DETROIT – Absentee voting is presenting an opportunity for criminals to take your personal information. Millions of voters are expecting to vote absentee in November and scammers are aware of that. The BBB is tracking one regarding fake absentee ballot information. The scammer will ask if you want to sign up to get an absentee ballot, then will start asking for personal information. If you have questions about absentee voting you should contact your local clerk’s office or visit the Secretary of State’s website.

DETROIT The Michigan Board of Canvassers is asking the Secretary of State to get more closely involved in Detroits next election. According to officials, 72 percent of Detroits absentee ballots werent re-countable based on irregularities in ballot handling. READ: Board of Canvassers: 72 percent of Detroit absentee precincts have inaccurate countsEarlier this month, there were a lot of new election workers. Start with that, and then get as many qualified people as you can and know what theyre doing for at least this Novembers election, Shinkle said. Wayne County Board of Canvassers member Jonathan Kinlock agrees with Shinkle and said a lot needs to change with the citys election department.

According to Benson, just over 2.5 million Michigan voters participated in Tuesdays primary election, surpassing the states previous record of 2.2 million in the Aug. 2018 Primary Election. The previous record for absentee ballots casted in a Michigan election was 1.3 million in the 2016 Presidential Election. The increase in absentee voting in Michigan is partially due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but is also due to new voting rights. Voter participation in the May election had already surpassed participation in previous May elections before election day even arrived. Many Michigan ballots were delivered to local clerks offices after election day, though they were postmarked prior to election day.

LANSING, Mich. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Wednesday that voters are encouraged to drop off their absent voter ballots in person as the Michigan Primary Election approaches on Aug. 4. As of 2018 Michigan voters now have the option to vote by mail for no reason using absentee ballots -- and a significant number of Michigan voters are choosing to do so amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. READ: Voting by mail in Aug. 4 Michigan Primary Election: What to knowAs the Aug. 4 election approaches, officials say it is a good idea to return Michigan absentee ballots in person rather than by mail. If you have not yet mailed in your completed Michigan Primary Election absentee ballot, you are encouraged to deliver it to your local clerks office on or before Aug. 4. In-person voting will still be available for the 2020 Michigan Primary Election on Aug. 4, even amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Applying for a Michigan absentee ballotAll registered Michigan voters now have the option to vote by mail using absent voter ballots. Those who applied to receive an absentee ballot for the Michigan primary should have already received it in the mail. Filling out an absentee ballot for the 2020 Michigan Primary ElectionIts important to be cautious and follow directions exactly when filling out a Michigan absentee ballot in order for it to be counted on election day. Inside of your official Michigan absent voter ballot envelope is a brightly-colored secrecy sleeve containing your absentee ballot. Note: In-person voting will still be available for the 2020 Michigan Primary Election on Aug. 4, even amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The 2020 Michigan Primary Election is coming up, and absentee ballots have to be returned before polls close at 8 p.m. on August 4. To return your absentee ballot on time, you have two options:Return your absentee ballot by mailYou can return your completed absentee ballot by mailing it to your local clerks office. The back of the envelope containing the completed absentee ballot must be signed by the voter or it will not be counted. Those who applied to receive an absentee ballot for the Michigan primary should have already received it in the mail. In-person voting will still be available for the 2020 Michigan Primary Election on Aug. 4, even amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

LANSING, Mich. With the threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19) present throughout the country, some states have encouraged absentee voting ahead of presidential primary and general elections. Bensons office mailed about 740,000 absentee ballot applications to Michigan voters ahead of the May elections. Now the office is ensuring that absentee ballot applications are mailed to all 7.7 million registered voters in Michigan. Officials say that more than one million absentee ballots have been issued to Michigan voters as of Thursday. Trump falsely accused Benson of illegally sending absentee ballots to all Michigan residents ahead of this years elections.

DETROIT As the state works to get every registered voter an absentee ballot application, concerns and claims have been swirling around the conversation of vote-by-mail. There's no evidence that voter fraud happens in incidents of allowing citizens to vote by mail, which they have a right to do in the state of Michigan, Sec. In states like CO, WA, OR and Utah which have moved to almost entirely vote by mail, absentee fraud has been extremely rare. In Michigan, there have only been 5 convictions for absentee ballot fraud since 2007, according to the Conservative leaning Heritage Foundation. An increase in absentee votes will drastically alter how ballots are normally counted, likely taking more time and manpower.

LANSING, Mich. The League of Women Voters (LMV) of Michigan filed a lawsuit against the Michigan Secretary of State on May 22 regarding absentee voting rights ahead of upcoming elections. Proposal 3, also known as the Voting Policies in State Constitution Initiative, was approved in 2018 and added no-excuse absentee voting to the Michigan Constitution. While its clear that absentee voting is a priority for Michigans Secretary of State, the LMV claims that Michigan voters are still facing unconstitutional barriers to absentee voting that need to be addressed ahead of the upcoming elections. Michigans LMV is also requesting that the state pays for postage for absentee voters and process ballot applications within a 24-hour time slot. Benson is actually sending absentee ballot applications to registered Michigan voters who can choose if theyd like to vote by mail in August and November.