Michigan’s new absentee ballot preprocessing law allows local clerks to begin handling absentee ballots up to eight days before Election Day, a significant change aimed at improving election efficiency in larger jurisdictions.
Previously, clerks couldn’t start processing absentee ballots until polls opened on Election Day, which led to delays in reporting results, especially in populous areas.
Starting on October 28, clerks in Metro Detroit will be permitted to open envelopes, verify signatures, check ballot numbers, and scan ballots through tabulators, although the actual vote counts will remain confidential until polls close.
Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum expressed optimism, stating, “Hopefully, unofficial results will come a little bit quicker.
However, not all clerks are participating. Warren City Clerk Sonja Buffa raised concerns about the potential for information leaks or security risks over the extended preprocessing period, opting to refrain from early processing to safeguard election integrity.
This varied response underscores ongoing debates around election security and efficiency as Michigan adapts to evolving voting practices.