(The Center Square) Michigan’s procedures for handling election recounts and allegations of fraud were changed when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed two controversial bills into law Monday.
Senate Bills 603 and 604 amend the requirements for conducting vote recounts and prosecuting election-related crimes.
“By signing commonsense recount reforms into law today, we will strengthen our democracy and ensure that the recount process results in the most accurate vote count possible,” said sponsor State Senator Stephanie Chan (D-Detroit).
“These laws accomplish the important goals of keeping every vote secure, modernizing the recount process and giving Michigan voters a voice.”
Among other changes, the law eliminates the elections board’s investigative powers and instead requires the board to report suspected fraud to the relevant county prosecutor rather than conducting a recount.
A recount is conducted only if there is a suspected error and that error could change the outcome of the election.
It also increases the deposit required to file a recount petition, amends various guidelines for clerks and changes sentencing guidelines for election law violations.
“For years, clerks and candidates have called for reform and updating of Michigan’s 70-year-old recount law to ensure that every valid vote is eligible for a recount in close races,” said state Sen. Jeremy Moss of Southfield, who co-sponsored the bill with Chang.
“This legislation will strengthen the integrity of our voting systems and ensure the accuracy of our election results.”
Opponents argue that removing investigative powers for election campaign officials and eliminating protections against interference from election staff would make it harder to address fraud and make elections less secure.
“It would be counterproductive to weaken protections at a time when there are several red flags in our state’s election process,” said Rep. Jaime Green, a Republican from Richmond.
“For example, not having a system to know if someone has voted in more than one state is a real problem facing Michigan, as evidenced by the Secretary of State’s removal of approximately 170,000 people who no longer live here from the voter rolls only after being sued.”
The new law takes effect immediately and applies to the August primary election.
