Local 4 is monitoring Thursday’s house hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill. Today’s focus has been on how former President Donald Trump tried to use the justice department to help him overturn the 2020 Presidential Election. The hearing kicked off just after 3 p.m.

A new bill in Washington looks to add new protections to election workers in the wake of what happened back in 2020. On Friday (March 4), Metro Detroit City Clerks and the NAACP came together to discuss why they believe it’s so necessary.

It would be the largest fine ever under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

President Joe Biden is delivering remarks on voting rights Tuesday afternoon at a contentious time in the U.S. when legislators in several states are pushing for stricter voting laws that would limit voter access.

Two right-wing operatives accused of orchestrating robocalls designed to suppress voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election are heading to trial in Michigan over several felony charges.

Americans around the country are coming together in celebration Saturday after Joe Biden was declared the projected president-elect earlier that day. As of Saturday morning, The Associated Press is projecting that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has won the 2020 presidential election after wining the state of Pennsylvania. Biden, resting at 264 electoral votes early Friday morning, was projected to win the state of Pennsylvania as of 11:25 a.m., according to The AP. With its 20 electoral votes up for grabs, Pennsylvania placed Biden at 284 electoral votes -- enough to call the race nearly four days after Election Day. The AP also projected that Biden won the state of Nevada on Saturday, bringing his electoral vote total to 290.

DETROIT – A steady stream of protesters lined up in front of the TCF Center in Detroit to rally Friday in support of President Donald Trump. Roughly 200 people demanded a review of Michigan’s election results. Nearly 2.8 million votes were cast for Former Vice President Joe Biden, who won the state. The crowd is questioning the results and have protested nearly everyday as results still come in from uncalled states. Any of the five states still up for grabs would call the election for Biden.

DETROIT – Two groups of protestors spent Thursday night yelling at each other outside the TCF Center in Detroit. What motivated these groups to come out may have been the counting of the ballots here but there were multiple ideologies. The central issue was the election between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden, but there were also rants about globalist conspiracies, anti-government, anti-mask and Black Lives Matter. Officers did move in to form a barrier between the groups when it looked like things were going to get physical. READ: Ballot counting finishes at TCF Center in DetroitREAD: Michigan AG addresses election integrity amid Trump lawsuitsREAD: Workers share experience inside TCF Center during ballot counting, protests

DETROIT – President Donald Trump returned to Metro Detroit Sunday -- his second stop in the area in three days. He made a final appeal to voters in Washington Township at a packed campaign rally. Trump is hoping to win back suburban voters in the crucial Macomb County -- a county he won in 2016 by double-digits. During his rally, Trump attacked Gov. Some said they came as far away as Arizona for a final chance to see the president.

LANSING, Mich. – Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson answered voter questions at a town hall event Wednesday night. “Making it Count: A Voter Information Town Hall” took place at 7 p.m. Additionally, Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus-Lyons held a news conference Tuesday where she shared information to prepare voters for Election Day. Residents can also vote in person on Election Day, but because of the pandemic, you will be encouraged to wear a mask and practice social distancing. You can also register at your local clerk’s office on Election Day in Michigan to vote in the presidential election.

Voting in the 2020 U.S. presidential election is already underway in Michigan with early in-person voting and absentee voting. All Michigan voters are eligible to vote using an absent voter ballot. You can apply to receive an absent voter ballot on the state’s website right here. Michigan voters registered to vote at their current address can request an absentee ballot in person at their local clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on the day before Election Day -- which is November 2. Once completed, your absentee ballot must be returned to your local clerk’s office no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.

According to the data, mail delivery in the Detroit region was about 15% slower than the national average during the first week of October, ranking the city at 67 out of 67 USPS regions. Mail delivery throughout the rest of Michigan was 0.5% slower than the national average. The national average mail delivery time has also dropped from 91% of on-time delivery to 86%. DeJoy has since rescinded several of those changes and has repeatedly attempted to reassure Americans that their completed absentee ballots will arrive on time. The recent mail delivery data has also raised alarms after a federal court of appeals overturned a ruling meant to combat mail delivery delays in Michigan.

DETROIT – In an interview with “60 Minutes,” President Donald Trump had a lot to say about Gov. The president released video of the interview to his Facebook page ahead of Sunday’s broadcast in an attempt to show he was treated unfairly. Trump ended the interview early shortly after being asked about Whitmer. Near the end of the 37-minute interview, Leslie Stahl asks the president about how he’s “gone after” Whitmer. RELATED: Inside the traffic stop that set off suspect in Michigan terror plot and led FBI to start arrests“When did I say lock her up?” Trump asked.

DETROIT – American singer and musician Lizzo will travel to Michigan this week to campaign on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris. According to Biden’s campaign, Lizzo is scheduled to speak at an event in Detroit, followed by another event in Harper Woods on Friday afternoon. Lizzo has also explicitly shown support for Former Vice President Biden and Harris on social media, and campaigned with Harris virtually last month. Both Biden and his wife, Former Second Lady Jill Biden, have recently visited Michigan to deliver remarks and connect with voters. He and Vice President Mike Pence have also recently delivered remarks to Michigan supporters -- some of which have garnered national attention due to controversies.

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to hold a “Make America Great Again” rally in Michigan on Thursday, Oct. 22. Pence will deliver remarks at 12:30 p.m. at Barnstormers Flight School in Waterford Township on Thursday, according to the reelection campaign for Republican President Donald Trump. The news comes as former Second Lady Jill Biden campaigns in the state Tuesday on behalf of her husband, Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden and vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Joe Biden most recently visited Michigan on Friday, delivering remarks in Southfield and attending a voter mobilization event in Detroit. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, will face off against Biden in this year’s final presidential debate on Thursday, Oct. 22.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of State announced Wednesday it will be providing resources to educate Michiganders facing homelessness about their voting rights. The outreach includes an online toolkit curated to provide accurate information about homelessness and voting, a webinar hosted in partnership with the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness and voter registration drives at shelters. "Our work to provide resources and information to voters in this community will help ensure they can vote with confidence that their ballot will count.”A new toolkit will dispel misconceptions and provide accurate voting information and guidance for homeless individuals. The department joined with the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness to promote voter education and registration. As part of this partnership, MDOS will join the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness and Communities First, Inc. to host a webinar aimed at educating homelessness advocacy organizations in how to assist their clients with voter registration, early voting and getting to the polls on Election Day.

The focus is on in-person voting and keeping Michigan voters safe from COVID-19 and possible harassment or intimidation while people wait in line to cast their ballot. “My understanding is that Michigan State Police are going to enforce the (open carry) ban anywhere that local law enforcement is unable or unwilling to do so,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. The Local 4 Defenders asked if any credible threats of violence have been made, or are state and local officials seeing evidence of voter intimidation to keep voters from polls? “The role that voters have asked me to play as the chief election officer is to enforce the law in this way and ensure they are protected on Election Day,” Benson said. Will banning open carry invite open carry protests for law enforcement to deal with?

Filling out your Michigan absent voter ballotIt’s important to be cautious and follow directions precisely when filling out a Michigan absent voter ballot to ensure it is counted on Election Day. Inside of your official Michigan absent voter ballot envelope is a brightly-colored “secrecy sleeve” containing your ballot. Packaging your absent voter ballot once it’s completedOnce you’ve filled out your Michigan absent voter ballot for the 2020 General Election, place it inside of the brightly-colored secrecy sleeve that it was initially presented in. To return your absent voter ballot on time, you have two options:Return your absent voter ballot in personYou can return your completed absent voter ballot by delivering it to your local clerk’s office before the 8 p.m. deadline on November 3. Return your absent voter ballot by mailYou can also return your completed absent voter ballot by mailing it to your local clerk’s office -- though this option is not recommended as the deadline to return your ballot approaches.

DETROIT – Former Second Lady of the U.S. Jill Biden is scheduled to tour an urban farm in Detroit on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Jill Biden will tour an urban farm with the organization Keep Growing Detroit sometime Tuesday, according to the campaign for her husband, Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden. The former Second Lady’s visit to Michigan was first announced on Saturday. Both Jill and Joe Biden are campaigning in Michigan and across the country as Election Day nears. The U.S. presidential election is already underway with mail-in voting and early voting, with only 14 days left until Election Day on November 3.

MUSKEGON, Mich. – President Donald Trump took aim at Gov. Both Whitmer and the White House are accusing the other of inciting violence. Whitmer and Trump have frequently sparred words over the past few months. After the terrorism plot against kidnapping or assassinating Whitmer was exposed, the governor said Trumps words enabled and encouraged violence. “The president is at it again and inspiring and incentivizing and inciting this kind of domestic terrorism,” Whitmer said.

MUSKEGON, Mich. – President Donald Trump took aim at Gov. During his 90 minute speech in Muskegon, Trump mentioned the domestic terrorism plot to kidnap Whitmer and how she has been handling the COVID-19 outbreak. Whitmer said Trump inspired the terrorist plot and the President criticized Whitmer at the event. “It needs to stop.”The FBI arrested multiple Michigan men this month who they claim were plotting to kidnap or kill Whitmer. Ivanka Trump will campaign on behalf of her father Monday and Dr. Jill Biden will be in Michigan to campaign Tuesday.

President Donald Trump delivered remarks in Muskegon on Saturday, Oct. 17 as part of his Make America Great campaign for reelection. “You gotta get your governor to open up your state,” President Trump said to supporters at the event. The crowd then began chanting “Lock her up!” -- to which Trump responded, “Lock 'em all up.”You can see more in the video above. Democratic presidential candidate and former vice president Joe Biden issued a statement Saturday regarding Trump’s visit to Michigan:“Michigan families are facing enormous challenges right now. "With their votes, Michiganders now have a chance to put an end to President Trump’s chaos and failures.

All rights reserved)Former Second Lady of the United States Jill Biden is scheduled to visit Michigan on Tuesday, October 20. The travel plans were announced Saturday by the campaign for Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden’s husband. The news comes just after Joe Biden campaigned in Michigan on Friday, stopping to speak in Southfield and attend a voter mobilization event in Detroit. The U.S. presidential election is already underway with mail-in voting and early voting, with only 17 days left until Election Day on November 3. U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is also campaigning in Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 17.

But are Michigan voters required to wear face masks to the polls? The answer is no, Michigan voters are not required to wear face masks while voting in person for the General Election on November 3. Michigan voters who feel uncomfortable voting in person amid the pandemic now have the option to vote by mail using an absent voter ballot. The state of Michigan mailed absentee voting applications to all registered Michigan voters in May for this year’s August and November elections. There is still time for Michigan voters to request a mail-in ballot for the General Election on November 3.

Whitmer said she believes there could still be serious threats out there, but the state is prepared to keep voters safe on election day. I’m protected by the Michigan State Police and they are an incredibly professional organization,” Whitmer said. And I want to remind Michiganders that you can vote today. You can go into the clerk’s office and cast your vote today. “I’m not worried but we are preparing to make sure that we do everything to keep people safe,” Whitmer said.

Are Michigan polls still open for in-person voting during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic? All registered Michigan voters do also have the option to instead vote by mail using an absent voter ballot. Vote-by-mail option for Michigan votersThe state of Michigan mailed absentee voting applications to all registered Michigan voters in May for both this year’s August and November elections. Click here to learn more about voting by mail in Michigan for the 2020 General Election. Click here to view a sample of your Michigan ballot for the 2020 General Election.

Once you’re officially registered to vote in Michigan, you will be assigned a physical polling location at which you can vote on Election Day. How to request an absent voter ballot in Michigan for the 2020 General ElectionIf you’re registered to vote and hoping to vote absentee in Michigan for the 2020 General Election but have not yet requested an absent voter ballot, don’t worry -- you still have time. Michigan also allows same-day voter registration -- meaning you can register to vote on Election Day. Absent voter ballots will be mailed out to Michigan voters as early as 40 days before Election Day, which is September 24 for the 2020 General Election. Learn more about voting by mail in Michigan for the 2020 General Election here.

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Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson spoke Wednesday about how and when residents can vote. They also voiced big concerns about counting the record-breaking number of absentee ballots expected. Polls will still be open on election day despite the pandemic with significant precautions being taken. Some are worried that counting all the absentee ballots won’t get results quickly. The State Senate passed a measure allowing clerks to begin processing absentee ballots the day before the election.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden holds a 5-point lead over President Donald Trump in Michigan heading into the final stretch of the 2020 election, a new WDIV/Detroit News poll shows. In a head to head matchup of likely November 2020 Michigan general election voters, Joe Biden continues to lead Donald Trump by five points, 47 percent to 42 percent. Donald Trump has largely been stuck in cement at 42 percent in Michigan for the past four years. Men support Donald Trump by a margin of 49.1% - 39.5% -- a 9.6% lead. Michigan voters disapprove of Trumps handling of pandemicOverall, President Trump holds a 43.7 percent approval rating with Michigan voters, and a 52.5 percent disapproval.

Most Michigan residents who are at least 18 years of age are eligible to register to vote and to vote. Michigan residents have the option to register to vote on the day of an election -- which, in this case, is Nov. 3. Once you’re officially registered to vote in Michigan, you will be assigned a physical polling location at which you can vote on Election Day. How to request an absent voter ballot in Michigan for the 2020 General ElectionIf you’re registered to vote and hoping to vote absentee in Michigan for the 2020 General Election but have not yet requested an absent voter ballot, don’t worry -- you still have time. Absent voter ballots will be mailed out to Michigan voters as early as 40 days before Election Day, which is September 24 for the 2020 General Election.

The state of Michigan mailed absentee voting applications to all registered Michigan voters in May for this years August and November elections. Michigan voters who have already requested an absent voter ballot for the November election can begin receiving their ballot up to 40 days prior to Election Day -- which is September 24. If youre hoping to vote absentee in Michigan for the 2020 General Election but have not yet requested an absent voter ballot, dont worry -- you still have time. You can apply to receive an absent voter ballot on the states website right here. To check on the status of an absent voter ballot application, registered Michigan voters are encouraged to contact their city or township clerks office directly.

The state of Michigan mailed absentee voting applications to all registered Michigan voters in May for this years August and November elections. Filling out a Michigan absent voter ballot for the 2020 General ElectionOnce you receive your absent voter ballot in the mail, it simply needs to be filled out following the written instructions attached and returned before the deadline. Inside of your official Michigan absent voter ballot envelope is a brightly-colored secrecy sleeve containing your ballot. Returning your completed Michigan absent voter ballotCompleted absent voter ballots for the 2020 General Election must be received by your local clerks office by 8 p.m. on November 3. Packaging your absent voter ballot once its completedOnce youve filled out your Michigan absent voter ballot for the 2020 General Election, place it inside of the brightly-colored secrecy sleeve that it was initially presented in.