ANTHONY DAUNT

Michigan’s Board of Canvassers met Monday and certified the results of the November election, but it got contentious, and even police officers had to step in.

Republicans lost an effort to stop a popular ballot measure over abortions from making it to voting booths in November.

As a final formality, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers convened Friday to certify two ballot proposals to appear on the November ballot after being ordered to do so by the state’s high court.

Richard Houskamp, left, Anthony Daunt and Mary Ellen Gurewitz, members of the Michigan state Board of Canvassers listen to a speaker during a hearing, Wednesday, Aug. 31, in Lansing. Photo: Carlos Osorio/APLANSING – A Michigan elections board on Wednesday rejected an abortion rights initiative after its two Republican board members voted against putting the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Supporters of the other initiative, to expand voting including adding ballot drop boxes, also are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Their muffled yells could be heard inside the hearing room, and the Republican board chairman at one point asked security to tell them to stop banging on the windows. The Bureau of Elections verified last Thursday that the abortion ballot initiative petition contained enough valid signatures for the amendment to qualify for the ballot and recommended that the state Board of Canvassers approve the measure.