Michigan election workers want more done to keep them safe as they face threats, harassment
During the 2020 election, Canton Township Clerk Michael Siegrist’s office collected more than 57,000 ballots. They did it safely and securely. But once the counting was done, the threats started, coming by the dozens.
City of Detroit Office of Inspector General investigates Detroit city clerk campaign
The Michigan Inspector General is out with a new report saying a deputy of Detroit city clerk, Janice Winfrey, abused their authority. That report states that Reuben Washington used the clerk’s office to organize petition signatures for Winfrey’s campaign for congress.
Michigan GOP panel to vote on resolutions censuring 2 congressmen, calling for resignation of state senator
An internal committee of the Michigan Republican Party is set to vote on a pair of resolutions on Saturday censuring two members of Congress who supported the Jan. 6 commission and calling for the resignation of a state senator who authored an election report stating that former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election.
Michigan lawmakers issue subpoenas to Detroit, Livonia city clerks for information on 2020 primary, general elections
DETROIT – The Michigan House and Senate Oversight committees subpoenaed Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey and Livonia City Clerk Susan Nash. Both cities had a number of precincts where the poll books did not match the vote tally and are not explained. Both city clerks have until Jan. 12 to present documents explaining how the election was handled. The Michigan House and Senate are holding hearings on alleged voting irregularities, which have found no proof of fraud at this point and nothing to suggest the vote in Michigan was not secure or accurate. House Oversight Chair Matt Hall, of Marshall, issued the following statement Tuesday after a joint hearing of the House and Senate Oversight committees:
Livonia and Detroit clerks subpoenaed for election information by Michigan lawmakers
DETROIT – On Tuesday, the Michigan House and Senate Oversight Committees voted to issue subpoenas to Livonia City Clerk, Susan Nash, and Detroit City Clerk, Janice Winfrey, for information related to the 2020 general and primary elections. Under the subpoenas both Winfrey and Nash have until 5 p.m. Jan. 5, 2021 to provide information and documents on how they ran the elections. Tuesday’s vote was made only one day after Michigan electors unanimously cast 16 Electoral College votes for Joe Biden for president. House Oversight Chair, Matt Hall, of Marshall issued the following statement after the joint hearing of the House and Senate Oversight Committees. “The House and Senate Oversight Committees have heard testimony and claims about this election.
Ballot counting finishes at TCF Center in Detroit
Several battleground states have yet to declare a winner as ballots are still being counted and those counts could last through Friday. Many people were trying to get inside the counting locations to try to stop officials from counting. In Michigan, 82 of the 83 counties have completed counting their ballots. The Trump team had filed a lawsuit in Michigan to stop the counting, because they felt that it was not fair and legal. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said that the counting was completed and there wasn’t anything to stop.
‘Watchers’ denied access to ballot counting at Detroit TCF Center due to COVID restrictions
As ballots are still being counted throughout the state of Michigan, tensions ran high in the “counting room” at the TCF Center in Detroit Wednesday afternoon. Supporters of President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump swarmed the TCF Center on Wednesday in an effort to enter the counting room and watch the ballot-counting process. In Michigan, citizens are allowed to observe the ballot-counting process to ensure everything is being counted fairly and accurately. Biden support Yolanda Moore was part of the crowd at the TCF Center Wednesday. Both Benson and Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey said the demonstrations at the TCF Center were just distractions from completing the counting.
Detroit city clerk, Secretary of State Benson say they are grateful for voter turnout in Michigan
DETROIT – As counting continues at TCF Center in Detroit Tuesday night, city clerk Janice Winfrey and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said they were pleased with the voter turnout in the city and state. Our poll workers decided to come out and work during this pandemic and I couldn’t be more grateful,” said Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey. There were long lines at some locations around Metro Detroit, and the turnout was record setting. And I’m truly grateful for every single person who was part of team democracy, making it work,” Benson said. READ: Michigan Attorney General investigates robocalls spreading misinformation on Election DayYou can watch Hank Winchester’s full report in the video posted above.
Here’s how polling precincts will look different on Election Day amid pandemic
DETROIT – There are only a few days left until Election Day on November 3. City clerk Janice Winfrey spoke out Thursday, encouraging people to get out and vote in the upcoming presidential election. “We want every voter to show up and vote in this election,” Winfrey said. Voting lines could also be longer than usual on Election Day, as the state anticipates a record turnout of voters. President Donald Trump has called out Benson before, saying he is concerned about the election in Michigan and the integrity of the election process.
Detroit city clerk reassures voters ahead of election: ‘You’ve got this'
DETROIT – All eyes are on the city of Detroit ahead of the Nov. 3 General Election. Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey said things will be different this time around. Winfrey has been city clerk since 2005. “Our issues in August stemmed from the lack of poll workers that we were able to recruit from. She believes that she has done a “better than good” job in her years as city clerk.
Detroit city clerk, postmaster urge voters to trust ballot security process
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.
Michigan Secretary of State, Detroit city clerk team up for upcoming November election
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.
Michigan Secretary of State to support City of Detroit in November election
DETROIT Following irregularities in ballot counting in Detroit during the August Primary, the state is stepping in to ensure votes are counted properly for the November General Election. Little Caesars Arena will provide space for physically distant in person training for new election workers to ensure election workers and staff are fully prepared to execute their duties on Election Day. Hiring additional staff to support the City clerks office, including Christopher Thomas, former Michigan Bureau of Elections Director, who will serve as a senior advisor. Revising protocols for ballot counting and sorting to make more effective use of high-speed scanners (tabulators) and reduce the potential for error. The City of Detroit is committed to ensuring our elections are safe, secure, and accessible to all, said Duggan.
2020 Michigan Primary breaks record for number of absentee ballots cast
DETROIT Tuesday marked a historic primary election in Michigan with a record number of absentee ballots cast. Officials said more than 2 million absentee ballots were requested and more than 1.6 million were returned. That broke the record for absentee ballots by 300,000. On the same ballot, Tlaib won another tight race to serve the full term. In 2018, she lost the absentee ballot portion in both the special and regular election.
What to expect at the polls during Michigans Primary Election
DETROIT Polls open tomorrow morning for the primary election and there are several key races were following. READ: Michigan Secretary of State addresses concerns ahead of primary electionA record number of people will be voting absentee, but the polls will still be open for anyone voting in person. Thats a lot for us, especially for a primary, a state primary, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey said. READ: COVID-19 creates spike in absentee ballot requests ahead of Michigan Primary ElectionWinfrey said Tuesday will be a huge day for voters in Michigan. READ: Michigan Primary Election on Aug. 4, 2020: What to knowIf an individual pulls up to the precinct and says I want to vote today but I dont want to go inside.
LIVE STREAM: Detroit city clerk to discuss election reparations, voting for Michigan Primary Election
DETROIT Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey will hold a news briefing at 11 a.m. Thursday to discuss election reparations, absentee voting and safety protocols for voting in person for the Michigan Primary Election on Aug. 4. This live stream has ended. In-person voting will still be available for the 2020 Michigan Primary Election on Aug. 4 amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic -- however, all Michigan voters now have the option to vote by mail with an absentee ballot. Officials are encouraging Michigan voters to return absentee ballots in person instead of by mail as election day approaches.
What Michigans Secretary of State is doing to make sure elections run smoothly
DETROIT Michigan has two elections coming up, one in August and the presidential election in November. Right now, election officials are making sure everything will go smoothly. READ: Michigan voters have option of voting by mail for August, November electionsOur goal for August and November is to make sure our voters will be heard, said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. READ: Michigan voters to receive application to vote by mail for August, November electionsThere will be no reason or excuse to allow voters to cast their ballot. READ: Blind Michigan voters use electronic absentee ballots for first time
Michigan Secretary of State explains absentee ballot voting, what it means for citizens
DETROIT – Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson spoke with Detroit City Council about an expected surge in voter participation in 2020, and how many voters will likely vote by mail. In 2018, Michigan voters amended the constitution to give all citizens the right to register to vote through election day and to vote by mail without providing a reason. Benson explained that many voters took advantage of these new rights in elections in 2019, and she expects many more will do so in 2020. The increase in voting by mail presents a challenge for clerks, who are currently barred by state law from processing or counting absentee ballots prior to election day. Benson said she supports the clerks and jurisdictions across the state that would like to see the law changed.
Flashpoint 9/17/17: Detroit City Clerk candidates Janice Winfrey and Garlin Gilchrist debate
DETROIT Detroit City Clerk candidates Janice Winfrey and Garlin Gilchrist debated. Winfrey is the current clerk. Also, see what came from Detroit's Homecoming event last week, including investments in the city's housing. Flashpoint is hosted by WDIV Local 4 anchor Devin Scillian. Watch Flashpoint on WDIV at 10 a.m. on Sundays.
Devin Scillian: Thoughts on Primary Election day
DETROIT Turnout for an August primary is typically unremarkable (unless you find it remarkable that such a small percentage of the citizenry will decide direction of the citys leadership). I should note its noteworthy that this is the citys first run with its new voting machines. RELATED: Michigan Primary Election results - Aug. 8, 2017Clearly, were not on the turf of the primary four years ago when Mike Duggan was forced to mount a write-in campaign. But its a terribly important primary any mayoral election is. But its also the second election of the new council by district system.