More than 106,000 Detroit residents ask for absentee ballots as state helps with election
More than 106,000 Detroit residents have requested absentee ballots for the general election in November, according to new information from Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
That's approximately 77,000 more ballots than city residents requested at this point ahead of the 2016 presidential election, a surge likely spurred by a 2018 change that allows no-reason absentee voting in Michigan and coronavirus fears.
Detroit had problems accurately processing and counting absentee ballots in the Aug. 4 primary election. But Benson's office, which is working with the city to help address those issues for the general election, said the city will be ready to handle these ballots this fall.
"We're not concerned, we're working with them really hand-in-hand," said Benson spokesman Jake Rollow during a call with news media Tuesday.
"We're working with them on ... processes and protocols, making sure the best practices are used across the board. And just sort of reviewing that with them so that ballots as they're requested, sent out and received are all checked in and there's good transparency there for voters."
https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/16/election-2020-detroit-absentee-ballots/5805728002/
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