ABSENTEE VOTING

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.

Michigan officials are encouraging voters to return their absentee ballots in person for the 2021 General Election as soon as possible.

It would be the largest fine ever under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

Michigan voters who are voting absentee in the Aug. 3 primary election should return ballots in person or at a local drop box.

People who believe debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election are pushing for audits of ballots and voting machines in an increasing number of states.

Two right-wing operatives accused of orchestrating robocalls designed to suppress voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election are heading to trial in Michigan over several felony charges.

LANSING, Mich. – The new effort by Republican lawmakers to change the election process in Michigan is receiving pushback. Among the package of 39 bills, many are aimed at issues from the 2020 election. Garlin Gilchrist outraged by the bill package, likening it to racist voting laws in the south after the Civil War. Republicans said the bills are necessary after months of failed election lawsuit and misinformation about the election results. On Twitter, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey writes, “Michigan residents must have complete confidence in the fairness of elections and that all who can legally vote can vote.”

LANSING, Mich. – Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will hold a virtual press conference this morning at 11 a.m. to provide an update on the ballot counting process in Michigan. As of 9 a.m. today Joe Biden had taken a slight lead in the race against President Donald Trump. Battleground states that include Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Nevada are crucial to winning the White House race. Watch the live event in the video player aboveLatest on local and national races

DETROIT – Follow up-to-the-minute election updates from WDIV Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit right here. As of this weekend, more than 2.6 million Michigan voters had turned in their absentee ballots. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is urging voters to drop off their ballots in-person to ensure mail delays don’t cause their ballots to not be counted, though voting in-person on Election Day remains an option. We expect to start reporting results Tuesday night after the polls close -- we’ll have live coverage all night. Follow Michigan election updates here:

It’s an issue that dates back to World War II: Making sure American servicemen and servicewomen have the ability to cast a vote in a presidential election, no matter where they’re stationed. With the passage of the Soldier Voting Act of 1942, it was settled: Military members would be given easy access to vote. Moran, who’s currently deployed in Poland, cast her first-ever absentee ballot for this year’s election. Although voting is a common task for many Americans, for most soldiers, it is a very unorthodox method -- voting overseas, that is, but the process is quite simple. In the 2000 presidential election, Republican nominee George W. Bush relied on 537 ballots to tilt Florida in his direction.

DETROIT – We’re just one day away from Election Day. Workers have already begun sorting, but not counting, the scores of absentee ballots at the TCF Center in Downtown Detroit. That puts us at a 60 percent total of the state turnout from 2016 -- and that’s before Election Day voting even starts. Cindy Gambon, with the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation is working to make sure Detroit residents show up on Tuesday to vote. “Extra poll workers are on standby ... Equipment has been tested and the Secretary of State is confident that Detroit is ready.

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.

LANSING, Mich. – More than 2.6 million Michigan voters have turned in their absentee ballots and the state is still waiting on almost 700,000 absentee ballots that had been sent out and yet to be returned with only days before Tuesday’s election. Due to changes made in 2018 to voter laws and now growing public health concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, more Michigan residents are voting absentee than ever before. The previous record was set this year in the August primary at 1.6 million absentee ballots. Ingham County saw 30,684 absentee ballots cast in the 2016 election, County Clerk Barb Byrum said in a media call Thursday alongside Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope. “This is a pretty intense election, not that anything will happen on Election Day, but I wouldn't want to put myself in the position,” Briffin said.

Two right-wing political operatives at the center of a robocall scam in Detroit and other U.S. cities have been ordered to call their victims back with a corrective message. Jack Burkman, 54, from Arlington, Virginia and Jacob Wohl, 22, from Los Angeles were ordered by a U.S. district court Wednesday to issue “curative” robocalls to individuals that were previously targeted by an alleged voter-intimidation scheme. Burkman and Wohl were arraigned in Michigan earlier this month. On Wednesday, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered Burkman and Wohl to issue a new robocall to correct the misinformation contained in the initial calls made in August. Not only did Defendants incite fears of these grim consequences, but they baselessly tied the prospects to mail-in voting.

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.

According to the data, mail delivery in the Detroit region was about 15% slower than the national average during the first week of October, ranking the city at 67 out of 67 USPS regions. Mail delivery throughout the rest of Michigan was 0.5% slower than the national average. The national average mail delivery time has also dropped from 91% of on-time delivery to 86%. DeJoy has since rescinded several of those changes and has repeatedly attempted to reassure Americans that their completed absentee ballots will arrive on time. The recent mail delivery data has also raised alarms after a federal court of appeals overturned a ruling meant to combat mail delivery delays in Michigan.

DETROIT – Detroit Pistons are hosting an event aimed at encouraging residents to vote early in the 2020 presidential election. Detroit Pistons Head Coach Dwane Casey, Earl Cureton and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are going to engage with voters at the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Practice Facility on Saturday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. It is in celebration of national Vote Early Day. The first 150 attendees will receive a Detroit Party at the Mailbox Package, which includes a Detroit Pistons hat, Michigan-made food and drink items, voter information card and more. “Millions of Americans have already cast their ballots and with only 21 days until Election Day, making your plan to vote early is critical.

DETROIT – Most students in the Detroit Public Schools Community District are too young to vote, but that doesn’t mean they’re sitting on the sidelines this election. Party at the Polls is a free, student-led, nonpartisan community event aimed at encouraging people to vote early for the 2020 General Election. The socially distant rally featured food music and an opportunity to vote early at the Farwell Recreation Center. Student leaders will speak out about the importance of voting. READ: Complete Election Day coverageWatch the video above for the full report

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.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is urging absentee voters to hand-deliver ballots to their local election clerk’s office or ballot drop boxes. “Voters who already have their absentee ballot should hand-deliver it to their city or township election clerk’s office or ballot drop box. Citizens can register to vote at their local clerk’s office through Nov. 3, they need to bring proof of residency. Voters should click here to find their local clerk’s office, drop box locations or track their absentee ballot. As of Monday, more than 1.5 million Michigan citizens already cast absentee ballots and nearly 3 million had requested them.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will host virtual press conference to discuss Election Day, share new absentee ballot request and return numbers, and answer elections-related questions from the press. Watch the live event at 10:30 a.m. in the video player above. The November General Election is just two weeks away. ClickOnDetroit has been here every step of the way in 2020, and you can count us for election coverage and results through the end of the year. We have a guide here for what to expect on election day itself: What to know before voting in General Election in Michigan on Nov. 3, 2020More: 14 days until November election: Here’s what to know in Michigan

Nearly one million voters have returned absentee ballots in Michigan for the November election, according to the Secretary of State. Election Day is three weeks away, but early voting has been underway in Michigan since Sept. 24. According to the Michigan Secretary of State, nearly 1 million citizens have already returned absentee ballots, and more than 2.8 million have requested them. “Michigan citizens can be confident that all valid absentee ballots will be counted,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Those ballots could have correctable errors and clerks are alerting voters of their options.

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

No postage is required to return your Michigan absent voter ballot in person. Remember: The back of the envelope containing the completed absent voter ballot must be signed by the voter or it will not be counted. Mail your ballotYou can return your completed absent voter ballot by mailing it to your local clerk’s office. For this reason, we are recommending mailing in your completed absent voter ballot as soon as possible ahead of Election Day. Postage will be required to return your Michigan absent voter ballot by mail.

The Michigan Secretary of State is refuting a claim by the state’s Republicans over drop box security, labeling it as “election misinformation." On Wednesday, the Michigan GOP released a video which allegedly shows a man walk up to and open an unlocked ballot drop box in Lansing two weeks ago. The video appears to show an envelope in the box, which the GOP release claims is a ballot, but ballot envelopes are much larger. Michigan Department of State spokesperson Jake Rollow released a statement on behalf of the Secretary of State following the allegations. “Ballot drop boxes have been securely locked since ballots were available.

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.

Political robocalls and texts are getting out of control, but there is a way to get them to stop -- for now. If you feel like you’ve received a political scam call, it’s important you report it to local police and the Better Business Bureau who will track the areas being targeted. We’re also seeing robocall scam calls. If you feel like you’ve received a political scam call it’s important you report it to local police and the Better Business Bureau who will track the areas being targeted. If you’ve been the victim of a robocall scam, report it on the BBB.org/ScamTracker.

DETROIT – Two men are facing felony charges in Michigan after allegedly orchestrating robocalls meant to discourage voters from voting by mail in the presidential election by making false claims. According to officials, an investigation revealed that the robocalls have been reported in Detroit and a number of other cities across New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois. “Any effort to interfere with, intimidate or intentionally mislead Michigan voters will be met with swift and severe consequences,” Nessel said. “This effort specifically targeted minority voters in an attempt to deter them from voting in the November election. Read: Trust Index: Fact-checking claims about absentee voting made during Trump-Biden debateThe official charges against Burkman and Wohl can be viewed in the document below.

DETROIT – Two men are facing felony charges in Michigan after allegedly orchestrating robocalls meant to discourage voters from voting by mail in the presidential election by making false claims. According to officials, an investigation revealed that the robocalls have been reported in Detroit and a number of other cities across New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois. “Any effort to interfere with, intimidate or intentionally mislead Michigan voters will be met with swift and severe consequences,” Nessel said. “This effort specifically targeted minority voters in an attempt to deter them from voting in the November election. Read: Trust Index: Fact-checking claims about absentee voting made during Trump-Biden debateThe official charges against Burkman and Wohl can be viewed in the document below.

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.

The issue of absentee voting has become the hot button issue in the weeks leading up to the election. The President has been repeatedly critical of the process, despite voting absentee himself in Florida, and has worked to sew distrust with the processes of certain states, including Michigan. The President had more to test when it came to claims about absentee voting during Tuesday night’s first presidential debate, but we’ll start with this from Vice President Joe Biden. Biden does appear to confuse the director of homeland security with DHS’s cyber security director who said last month election integrity may actually improve with more absentee ballots. According to the findings of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 1 percent of the absentee votes were deemed invalid.

DETROIT – For this election a record number of Michigan residents have already started the process of filling out their absentee ballots. In November millions are expected to vote by mail and that’s where the Center for Civic Design comes in. On its website the Maryland based group says civic design is about making every meeting between a citizen and the government effective and pleasant. The state didn’t have to pay Center for Civic Design a dime for its work. The state then just has to pay to print the absentee ballots, which it would have done anyway.

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.

When Benson announced the mass mailing, she was criticized by President Donald Trump, who wrongly stated that she was sending absentee ballots, not applications. The previous record for absent voter ballots cast in a Michigan election was 1.3 million in the 2016 Presidential Election. Already, about 2.3 million absentee ballots have been requested for the fall election, which Benson said puts Michigan on track to receive more than 3 million that are completed. Of the 7.7 million registered voters in Michigan, about 5 million are expected to participate in the upcoming election, officials said in August. About 10,000 absent voter ballots were rejected in Michigan’s Primary Election in August.

Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson spoke Wednesday about how and when residents can vote. They also voiced big concerns about counting the record-breaking number of absentee ballots expected. Polls will still be open on election day despite the pandemic with significant precautions being taken. Some are worried that counting all the absentee ballots won’t get results quickly. The State Senate passed a measure allowing clerks to begin processing absentee ballots the day before the election.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Larger Michigan municipalities could begin processing an expected surge of absentee ballots sooner in the November presidential election under a bill approved Tuesday by the state Senate. The 34-2 vote followed a monthslong delay in the Republican-led chamber amid lobbying from clerks in both parties who warned of significant delays in counting the votes. Absentee voting, already on the rise in recent election cycles, is an increasingly popular option during the coronavirus pandemic and following the passage of a 2018 ballot initiative that lets people cast one for any reason. The legislation would let clerks in bigger communities start processing ballots the day before Election Day. They still could not be counted until Election Day.

Michigan faced several challenges in processing the influx of absentee ballots in the August primary. Clerks can’t start processing absentee ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day under current law, but there is a push to allow that earlier. ”The state has received 2.1 million requests for absentee ballots for the Nov. 3 election as of Tuesday, Rollow said. Just under 2.1 million ballots were requested for the August primary election. The day after the primary about 400,000 residents already had requested absentee ballots for November, Rollow said.

Allowing clerks to begin processing, but not counting, ballots the day before the election would not necessarily be a permanent change, he said. He said he could not predict if or when the Senate would act but said it is “being very seriously considered.”He said some jurisdictions efficiently processed an enormous number of absentee ballots while others “struggled to get it done. About 1.6 million ballots cast were absentee — returned by mail, at drop boxes or inside clerks' offices — topping the record of 1.3 million from November 2016. Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, local clerks and voting-rights groups have urged the Republican-led Legislature to let election workers start processing absentee ballots the day before Election Day. Johnson said cities or townships with more than 25,000 residents should be able to do certain processing of absentee ballots on Monday, Nov. 2.

While absent voter ballots provide a safe alternative to voting in person at the polls on Election Day, the process of counting absent voter ballots can determine how quickly, or not, final election results are announced. Processing absent voter ballots in MichiganThe process for counting absent voter ballots is different in each state. In Michigan, election workers are not allowed to begin processing absent voter ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day. The previous record for absent voter ballots cast in a Michigan election was 1.3 million in the 2016 Presidential Election. Polling precincts will still be open for Michigan voters from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

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.

State and local officials clarify voting law in wake of President Trump's commentsIf you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

DETROIT The Michigan Secretary of States Office and the Detroit city clerk are teaming to make sure every vote counts for the upcoming November general election. Presidential elections always bring a lot of energy, said Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey. Winfrey said her office and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are working together to make sure every vote is counted. They are recruiting and training at least 6,000 election workers to make sure all 182 polling locations and 134 absentee counting boards are fully staffed. They will conduct physically distant in person training at Little Caesars Arena for new election workers to ensure election workers and staff are ready for Nov. 3.

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.

Michigan reported record voter turnout in the 2020 primary election due to the increase in mail-in voting. Here are some key dates and deadlines to know:Registering to voteYou can register at any time up to 8 p.m. on Election Day at your city or township clerks office. Related: President Trumps rhetoric on voter fraud is misleadingAll registered voters can request an absentee ballot online through our absentee voter request form before October 20. If you request your AV ballot the day before the election or on Election Day, you must vote the ballot in the clerks office. Your completed absentee ballot must be received by your city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 3).

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. A number of Michigan representatives are holding a news conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday to address issues with the United States Postal Service (USPS) related to mail-in voting amid national controversy. Representative Brenda Lawrence, of the states 14th congressional district, will lead a discussion to bring awareness to the Trump administrations efforts to attack the United States Postal Service, sabotage the upcoming election, and undermine our democracy, an announcement reads. That means they cant have universal mail-in voting; they just cant have it.Mail-in voting, or voting absentee, has become a popular voting method throughout the U.S. amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Earlier Sunday, Democratic lawmakers demanded that leaders of the Postal Service testify at an emergency oversight hearing Aug. 24 on mail delays. More: Q&A: Whats happening at the US Postal Service, and why?

Postal Service (USPS) initiatives that could impact the timely delivery of absent voter ballots for the November election are being paused until the election is complete. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said in a statement Tuesday that in an effort to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail, the USPS will continue its services as normal through the end of the election cycle. Record numbers of absent voter ballots have been requested and issued in Michigan and across the country for this years elections. The Postal Service is ready today to handle whatever volume of election mail it receives this fall, DeJoy said Tuesday. More: Q&A: Whats happening at the US Postal Service, and why?

Michigan’s Secretary of State says more than 10,000 absentee ballots were rejected for Michigan’s primary election on Aug. 4. While the large majority of ballots were approved and counted, the state says approximately 10,600 ballots were rejected. According to Benson, just over 2.5 million Michigan voters participated in the Aug. 4 primary election, surpassing the state’s previous record of 2.2 million in the Aug. 2018 Primary Election. The previous record for absentee ballots cast in a Michigan election was 1.3 million in the 2016 Presidential Election. More: Michigan sees record voter turnout, absentee voting in Aug. 2020 Primary Election

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.