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ELECTIONS 2020

Watch live: Biden delivers remarks on electoral college vote certification

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. – Watch live coverage as President-elect Joe Biden speaks from Wilmington, De., after the electoral college voted to make his victory in the 2020 election official. Biden has cleared the 270-electoral-vote mark to formalize his presidential victory with California’s 55 votes. The voting milestone came late Monday when California electors affirmed Biden’s massive 5 million-vote win last month in the nation’s largest state. Live Coverage

Republican John James concedes to Democrat Gary Peters in US Senate race

DETROIT – On Tuesday, Republican John James conceded to Democrat and incumbent Gary Peters in Michigan’s closely watched US Senate race. In the statement James who previously ran for a seat on the Senate against Democrat and longtime US Sen. Debbie Stabenow congratulated Peters on his victory. Republicans including James had called for an investigation into the election results alleging potential voting fraud. Since the presidential election Republican leaders have made allegations of voter fraud without substantial evidence. “John James’ life of service sacrifice and selflessness has inspired millions of Michiganders.

Board ends controversy over Michigan election after certifying results

DETROIT – The Michigan Board of State Canvassers ended the controversy over the November election Monday afternoon. It voted 3-0 to certify the election results with one abstention. There were circulating rumors that both Republican Board of State Canvassers members were considering voting no and delaying the certification. Today’s vote of the State Board of Canvassers to certify Michigan’s November election confirms the truth: the election was fair and secure, and the results accurately reflect the will of the voters. “The Board fulfilled its legal duties today in certifying the results, and now our democratic process can move forward.

What we know about GOP challenge to Michigan’s election results

“We have a whistleblower and now we have 131 affidavits talking about irregularities and problems that were happening in Detroit. According to court filings the DNC tried to intervene when the suit was initially filed but the court denied the request saying the Trump case wouldn’t move on. In its appeal the DNC wrote that as long as the Trump case continues, they should be allowed to intervene. The process must be complete by Nov. 17 when county boards have to send totals to the Secretary of State. On Nov. 23, the state Board of Canvassers meet to conduct another review of the totals and hear more challenges.

Finalized election results in Michigan still on track to be announced Friday, possibly before then

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson provided the update while speaking at a press conference on the ballot counting process this morning. On Election Day Benson noted that it could take up to Friday to process all Michigan ballots as a result of the backlog. Read more: It could take until Friday to process all Michigan ballots due to backlog, SOS estimatesToday she said that the state is still on track to having the results in by then, but they could also possibly be announced much sooner. Benson said over 5 million people in Michigan voted this election. “It was really encouraging to see yesterday throughout the day over 28,000 eligible citizens registered and voted on Election Day.

Watch: Michigan SOS to provide update on ballot counting process

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

Michigan governor talks about election, voter safety, attacks from President Trump and COVID-19

Gretchen Whitmer encouraged Michigan residents to exercise their right to vote, be patient with Election Day results and responded to attacks against her by President Donald Trump in an interview with Local 4 News this morning. It could take up to 80 hours or until Friday to process all Michigan voting ballots, estimates Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. As of this morning 3.1 Michigan million residents had already voted absentee. In response the crowds chanted, “lock her up.” Trump supporters previously chanted the same thing at another Michigan based rally for the president. ELECTION DAY COVERAGE

Kamala Harris to campaign in Detroit on Election Day

All rights reserved)DETROIT – On Tuesday, Nov. 3 Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris will campaign in Detroit, the Biden-Harris campaign announced Monday. The Biden-Harris campaign did not provide specific details on exactly where she will be campaigning in Detroit on Election Day. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden in addition to Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff will get out the vote in key battleground states. His wife will travel to Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida and Wake County, North Carolina on Election Day. Additional details are expected to be released on Harris' upcoming visit to Detroit.

New poll numbers show how pandemic is impacting the election in Michigan

TROY, Mich. – With one week until Election Day there are new exclusive poll numbers on the race for Michigan and how the pandemic is impacting voters. The new poll numbers also highlight the perceptions of the president versus the governor on COVID-19. The percentage of voters who approve of the president’s COVID strategy are those who essentially support him for president. Michigan voters continue to support Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, while disapproving of President Donald Trump’s, according to a new WDIV/Detroit News poll.

Detroit NAACP outlines plans to prevent voter intimidation and harassment at polls

DETROIT – The Detroit based NAACP branch has major initiatives it plans to execute on Election Day that are aimed at making the voting process fair. A large group of attorneys will be out working to spot any voter intimidation or harassment at the polls. Detroit NAACP President Wendell Anthony said that is just one way to prevent voter intimidation. We’ve already put the courts on notice...We understand that there may be people who want to come in and interfere with the voting process. People should not come into the voting polls with armed weapons brandishing them,” said Anthony.

Donald Trump Jr. holds MAGA rally in Washington Township on Monday

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Hundreds of supporters showed up at a Make America Great Again rally with Donald Trump Jr. in Washington Township on Monday. Only eight days before Election Day and the Trump campaign is blanketing the state. “In 2016 Donald Trump made promises, he’s actually delivered on those promises, right? In 2016 Trump consistently campaigned in Michigan and managed to flip the state, now his campaign is keeping up the pace and intensity. Read more: President Donald Trump to hold rally in Michigan 1 week before Election DayMacomb County was one of the key counties that helped Trump win Michigan in the 2016 presidential race.

Jill Biden to campaign in Michigan today

DETROIT – Jill Biden, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, is scheduled to campaign in Michigan on Thursday, Oct. 29. She is expected to be joined by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Debbie Dingell and Westland Mayor Bill Wild. Jill Biden campaigned in Metro Detroit earlier this month as the Biden-Harris campaign aims focus on Michigan voters. Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris campaigned in Metro Detroit Sunday and discussed how a Biden-Harris administration could impact Michiganders. WATCH: Interview with Sen. Kamala Harris on hunger, job loss, Michigan

Watch live: Trump holds first campaign rally since COVID-19 diagnosis

FLORIDA – Watch live coverage as President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally in Florida. It is his first rally since testing positive for COVID-19 on October 2. Just Monday afternoon only hours ahead of the rally the president’s doctor announced he tested negative for COVID-19. Over the past few days the president has drawn national criticism for holding the rally after his diagnosis. Read more: Trump ready for 1st rally since contracting coronavirus

Secretary of State initiatives to register more than 100,000 citizens to vote

DETROIT – Secretary of State mailings are expected to register more than 100,000 citizens as voters, based on current responses to the letters and upcoming registration deadlines. “Michigan citizens want to vote. These mailers invited recipients to register to vote by going online or by returning the enclosed card to the Secretary of State. Approximately 130,000 of the citizens who received a letter conducted a transaction at a Secretary of State branch office after automatic voter registration was required by the state constitution but before it had been implemented. Together, these programs are on track to result in more than 100,000 newly registered Michigan citizens, based on voters who registered online, registered by returning the mailing, or are being registered automatically.

Eric Trump to host campaign event at Michigan gun store on Tuesday

DETROIT – Eric Trump is scheduled to campaign in Michigan on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The event will be held at Huron Valley Guns in New Hudson, Michigan. The president’s son will hold another Make America Great Again event the same day in Northfield, Minnesota. He is the third child and second son of President Donald Trump. “At these events, Eric Trump will share President Donald J. Trump’s Make America Great Again agenda with the American people,” read a statement from the Trump campaign announcing the event Friday.

Worried about whether your vote will count? Here’s how to submit a ballot without using the mail

Restrictions and types of early voting vary by state, but 40 states and the District of Columbia do offer some form of early voting. Turning in ballots at a local election office or polling locationJust about every state allows voters to bring ballots in person to turn them in at local election offices. If you’re not close to a local election office to turn in a ballot, some states allow ballots to be turned in to alternate locations or the polling locations. New Hampshire and Vermont allow voters to return ballots to a polling place. Drop boxesThese are special containers that allow voters to drop off absentee or mail-in ballots in sealed envelopes.

Sterling Heights makes major moves to expand absentee voting

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – The president has spoken out against it, but Sterling Heights is taking big steps to expand absentee voting. Twenty five thousand dollars may not sound like a lot of money for voting in the state’s fourth largest city, but when it comes to absentee voting during a pandemic, it’s just the push Sterling Heights says it needs. In a vote last last month the city’s budget included a new line item -- $25,000 for return postage for voters looking to cast their vote by mail. Each return postage to cost roughly 71 cents meaning the money set aside is enough for more than 35,000 residents to vote absentee. In recent weeks the president and his administration have sewed doubt about absentee voting saying without evidence, it’s prone to voter fraud, making the decision from Sterling Heights an interesting one especially given Macomb County swung heavily for the president in 2016.

Biden campaign ad in Michigan and Wisconsin criticizes Trump administrations response to coronavirus pandemic

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) MICHIGAN A new Biden for President digital ad running in key battleground states, including Michigan and Wisconsin criticizes President Donald Trumps administration for its response to the coronavirus pandemic. The ad claims Trumps administration failed to prepare the country and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. This is the campaigns third digital ad in battleground states.

All 3 counties approve Detroit Institute of Arts millage renewal

Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties voted to approve a millage renewal for the Detroit Institute of Arts on March 10, 2020. The renewal passed with overwhelming support in all three counties. The millage was first approved by voters in August 2012, which included a 0.2 millage (property tax) to fund the Detroit Institute of Arts. The DIA entered into service agreements with each county’s Art Authority to provide these benefits to county residents:Free unlimited general museum admissionDiscounted special exhibition ticketsFree school field trips with free bus transportationFree group visits for seniors on Thursdays, with exclusive programs, and free bus transportationExpanded teacher professional development programsCurriculum development with school systemsExpanded community partnershipsFind the latest election results and news here.