INSIDER
Michigan State Sen. Mike Shirkey returns from Trump visit, does not answer questions
Read full article: Michigan State Sen. Mike Shirkey returns from Trump visit, does not answer questionsDETROIT – The envoy of Michigan Republican lawmakers who traveled to the White House Friday for a controversial meeting with President Donald Trump returned home Saturday. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey refused to answer questions despite releasing a statement the day before. There were also photos of Chatfield and several other Michigan Republicans drinking inside Trump Hotel while seated at a table. The State Board of Canvassers meets Monday to vote on certifying the state election. Since the presidential election Republican leaders have made allegations of voter fraud without substantial evidence.
Michigan GOP lawmakers meet with President Trump at White House
Read full article: Michigan GOP lawmakers meet with President Trump at White HouseDETROIT – Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield met with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday. It’s one of the most controversial White House meetings in recent history and there’s concern the president is going to try get Shirkey and Chatfield to overturn Michigan’s election results. No matter the party, when you have an opportunity to meet with the President of the United States, of course you take it. We each accepted his invitation as we would accept an invitation from any sitting President if asked to meet at the White House. “We used our time in the White House to deliver a letter to President Trump making clear our support for additional federal funds to help Michigan in the fight against COVID-19.
Wayne County GOP canvassers say call from Trump did not influence vote decisions
Read full article: Wayne County GOP canvassers say call from Trump did not influence vote decisionsDETROIT – The two GOP members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers said the presidential election played no role in their decision despite receiving a phone call from President Donald Trump. The presidential phone call is where the controversy begins, but they both said the president’s only concern was for their safety. Monica Palmer said she has deep concerns for her daughter’s safety and William Hartmann has reportedly gone into hiding. Wayne County Board of Canvassers vice chair Jonathan Kinloch said he believes their explanation falls flat. The Michigan Secretary of State’s office said in a statement Thursday that there is no legal mechanism for two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers to rescind their votes cast for certification.
What we know about President Trump’s meeting with two Michigan GOP lawmakers
Read full article: What we know about President Trump’s meeting with two Michigan GOP lawmakersDETROIT – Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield are expected to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday. It’s an extraordinary move as the Trump Campaign continues to attempt to stop Michigan from certifying the election results. Speaker Lee Chatfield confirmed that he was meeting with the president in a tweet just before the meeting Friday, saying he is honored to speak with Trump. No matter the party, when you have an opportunity to meet with the President of the United States, of course you take it. And I look forward to our conversation.”The 4 p.m. meeting comes after a contentious meeting with the Wayne County Board of Canvassers.
Michigan GOP lawmakers to meet with President Trump at White House Friday
Read full article: Michigan GOP lawmakers to meet with President Trump at White House FridayTheir vote will stand.”The big question is what the Michigan Board of State Canvassers does on Monday. In midst of the election certification process, President Donald Trump has asked Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield to meet with him at the White House on Friday. Representatives with the Michigan State House and Senate could not be reached for comment. “There is no legal mechanism for them to rescind their vote. Their job is done and the next step in the process is for the Board of State Canvassers to meet and certify,” said secretary of state spokeswoman Tracy Wimmer, the AP reports.
GOP members of Wayne County Board of Canvassers try to change vote after speaking with President Trump
Read full article: GOP members of Wayne County Board of Canvassers try to change vote after speaking with President TrumpDETROIT – There’s an old legal theory you can’t unring a bell, but two GOP members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers are trying to. They’re attempting to reverse their vote in an effort to stop the certification of Wayne County ballots that they approved on Tuesday. “I remain in the firm belief that the Wayne County vote should not be certified. This is the Wayne County Board of Canvassers and we have the responsibility to carry out official actions on behalf of the public,” Kinloch said. Their job is done and the next step in the process is for the board of state canvassers to meet and certify.”You can watch the full report in the video posted above.
Is democracy under duress? Oakland University, UM experts weigh in
Read full article: Is democracy under duress? Oakland University, UM experts weigh inDETROIT – The United States has had close presidential elections before, but the 2020 General Election feels different. Some experts see reasons for concern as hyper-partisan fights seem to buck the norms of Democracy. Professor Richard Primus is a Constitutional Law expert at the University of Michigan. Our elections have been played by rules -- even with sharp elbows and lies -- when we count the votes, we declare a winner,” Primus said. Primus said the problem in 2020 is there’s a breakdown in the norms of being willing to accept the outcome of an election.
Wayne County Board of Canvassers GOP members attempt to rescind vote certification
Read full article: Wayne County Board of Canvassers GOP members attempt to rescind vote certificationThe federal lawsuit in Michigan over votes in Wayne County has been withdrawn. The Trump Campaign said it achieved what it wanted when the Wayne County Board of Canvassers refused to certify the results. Hours later, the board did vote to certify them, but now the two Republican members said they want to rescind their votes. He said he didn’t agree to certification and that he believes there were more than clerical errors in Wayne County. She said the election has been certified in Wayne County and has already been sent to the state board of canvassers.
Michigan to certify presidential election results following Wayne County’s certification
Read full article: Michigan to certify presidential election results following Wayne County’s certificationDETROIT – The Wayne County Board of Canvassers unanimously voted to certify the November election results Tuesday and asked the Michigan Secretary of State to conduct an audit of any Wayne County precincts with unexplained mismatching vote totals. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers has until Nov. 23 to certify the election. President Donald Trump tweeted repeatedly about the canvassers and called the two Republicans who voted against certification patriots. The Wayne County Ethics Board is looking into that complaint. This has nothing to do at all with where people live and the races they are.”The state board was expected to meet Wednesday, but that meeting has been postponed.
Wayne County Board of Canvassers certifies election results after GOP refusal
Read full article: Wayne County Board of Canvassers certifies election results after GOP refusalDETROIT – The Wayne County Board of Canvassers unanimously voted to certify the November election results Tuesday and asked the Michigan Secretary of State to conduct an audit of any Wayne County precincts with unexplained mismatching vote totals. A Board of Canvassers meeting was scheduled Wednesday, but sources claim it has been postponed until Monday. Initially, the Wayne County Board of Canvassers had two Republican and two Democrat members deadlocked on the vote to certify the election results in Wayne County. After the board agreed that they wanted to have an audit of the election, the Republicans -- Monica Palmer and William Hartmann -- voted to actually certify the Wayne County election. Detroit had the same issue in the August primary, but the board voted to certify the results then.
Wayne County Board of Canvassers asks Secretary of State to audit unbalanced precincts following certification approval
Read full article: Wayne County Board of Canvassers asks Secretary of State to audit unbalanced precincts following certification approvalDETROIT – The Wayne County Board of Canvassers unanimously voted to certify the November election results Tuesday and asked the Michigan Secretary of State to conduct an audit of any Wayne County precincts with unexplained mismatching vote totals. Two Republican members of the board voted not to certify and Democratic members voted to certify. Detroit had the same issue in the August primary, but the board voted to certify the results then. RELATED: In reversal, Wayne County Board of Canvassers unanimously approve certification of election votesRELATED: Deadlocked Wayne County Board of Canvassers fails to certify election resultsPalmer suggested certifying the rest of Wayne County but excluding Detroit, which was criticized by some members of the public. “I’m very proud of my colleagues on the Wayne County Board of Canvassers.
In reversal, Wayne County Board of Canvassers unanimously approve certification of election votes
Read full article: In reversal, Wayne County Board of Canvassers unanimously approve certification of election votesDETROIT – The Wayne County Board of Canvassers has reversed its vote on Tuesday and unanimously approved to certify election votes hours after it was split. READ: Deadlocked Wayne County Board of Canvassers fails to certify election resultsREAD: Judge denies GOP lawsuit to halt certification of Detroit election resultsThe lawsuit, filed by a group of Republican challengers, was based on allegations of fraud, surrounding the count at the TCF Center in downtown Detroit. The lawsuit was initially denied by a Wayne County judge on Friday, saying that it was “incorrect and not credible.”Lawyers appealed and were rejected on Monday. The state Court of Appeals said it wasn’t convinced the Wayne County judge made a mistake by refusing to stop the work of county canvassers. That means efforts to stop the certification of Detroit area votes hit a road block.
Deadlocked Wayne County Board of Canvassers fails to certify election results
Read full article: Deadlocked Wayne County Board of Canvassers fails to certify election resultsDetroit – The Wayne County Board of Canvassers is deadlocked on Tuesday with a 2-2 vote on the decision to certify election votes. The state Court of Appeals said it wasn’t convinced the Wayne County judge made a mistake by refusing to stop the work of county canvassers. — Jocelyn Benson (@JocelynBenson) November 18, 2020“In refusing to approve the results of the election in Wayne County, the two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers have placed partisan politics above their legal duty to certify the election results,” Gov. The actions of Palmer and Hartman disrespects and disregards the voters of Wayne County, the incredibly hard work of the dedicated poll workers and clerks of Wayne County all in the name of partisan showboating. Once this is established, I will, of course, accept the will of the voters.”Statement from Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans:"The voters of Wayne County have spoken, but apparently two of the four members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers refused to hear them.
Michigan Court of Appeals rejects lawsuit requesting delay of election certification in Wayne County
Read full article: Michigan Court of Appeals rejects lawsuit requesting delay of election certification in Wayne CountyDETROIT – The Wayne County Board of Canvassers will move forward with certifying election votes after the Michigan Court of Appeals rejected a request to delay certification. UPDATE Nov. 19, 2020: Trump campaign withdraws federal lawsuit challenging Michigan election resultsA lawsuit, filed by a group of Republican challengers, asked the court to require an independent audit of votes cast by people in Wayne County. The state Court of Appeals said it wasn’t convinced the Wayne County judge made a mistake by refusing to stop the work of county canvassers. The Wayne County Board of Canvassers will meet Tuesday afternoon to vote on certifying election results. UPDATE: Michigan: GOP canvassers can’t legally rescind Wayne County election certification vote
Here’s what comes next in Michigan’s ballot-counting process
Read full article: Here’s what comes next in Michigan’s ballot-counting processThe process must be complete by Nov. 17 when county boards have to send totals to the Secretary of State. On Dec. 14, Michigan’s 16 electors meet to vote for the candidates their names represented on the ballot. How Detroit suburbs voted in 2020 presidential electionWe’re taking a closer look at how Metro Detroit voted for president in the Nov. 3 General Election. Detroit’s election turnout was 49.56% -- 250,138 total votes out of 504,714 registered voters. In Oakland County, Biden won with 56.36% of the vote -- 433,982 total votes for the Democrat.