Election

Ballots postmarked by day before election must be counted, Michigan judge rules

September 18, 2020, 10:50 AM

A Michigan Court of Claims judge is easing rules around absentee voting, citing the need for adjustments due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Judge Cynthia Stephens has ruled all mail-in ballots postmarked by the day before Election Day must be counted if they arrive before election results are certified, media outlets report. She aslo ruled that absentee voters can get help from anyone in returning their ballots to local clerks from Oct. 30 through the election Nov. 3, which is traditionally not allowed.

It's unclear how long it will take to certify results in this year's election, but Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recently said, “We should be prepared for this to be closer to an election week as opposed to an Election Day.”

The Postal Service in July issued a memo to states adivising that mail-in ballots should generally be sent a week before a state's due date to ensure counting. 


Read more:  Detroit Free Press


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