INSIDER
Michiganโs election results certified; presidential transition begins
Read full article: Michiganโs election results certified; presidential transition beginsLANSING, Mich. โ Eight-hundred people signed up to speak and thousands watched as the Michigan Board of State Canvassers met in Lansing to vote on whether to certify election results. After Michigan certified, the Biden campaign received a letter from the General Services Administration (GSA) that the Trump Administration is ready to begin the formal transition process. Read more: Board ends controversy over Michigan election after certifying resultsThe Michigan Board of State Canvassers ended the controversy over the November election Monday afternoon. It voted 3-0 to certify the election results with one abstention. There were circulating rumors that both Republican Board of State Canvassers members were considering voting no and delaying the certification.
All eyes on Michigan -- Board of State Canvassers to decide if election results will be certified
Read full article: All eyes on Michigan -- Board of State Canvassers to decide if election results will be certifiedDETROIT โ The Michigan Board of State Canvassers is set to meet Monday to decide whether Michiganโs election results will be certified. Republican Party leaders asked the Michigan Board of State Canvassers to delay certification two weeks to look into irregularities. The vote to certify Michiganโs election results comes nearly three weeks since Election Day. Despite Joe Bidenโs lead over President Donald Trump by hundreds of thousands of votes, House Speaker Lee Chatfield spoke of the believed dangers that could follow a split decision on the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. In an interview with Fox News Sunday morning Republican and Michigan House Speaker, Lee Chatfield, talked about the possibility of a โconstitutional crisisโ ahead of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers scheduled Monday meeting to certify election results.
Michigan lawsuit claims Trump Campaign is attempting to disenfranchise Black voters
Read full article: Michigan lawsuit claims Trump Campaign is attempting to disenfranchise Black votersDETROIT โ A group of Detroit voters are now suing the Trump Campaign, claiming itโs trying to disenfranchise Black voters in their attempt to block the certification of votes in Wayne County. The lawsuit Anthony is talking about is 18 pages long. The plaintiffs are several local Detroit voters, along with the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization. They are suing Donald Trump and his campaign, claiming theyโre trying to disenfranchise Black voters by trying to block the certification of votes in Wayne County. And we hired Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.โYou can read the entire lawsuit filed against Trump and his campaign by the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and Detroit residents here.
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 โ 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.
Detroit voters sue President Trump over his attempt to block certification of election results
Read full article: Detroit voters sue President Trump over his attempt to block certification of election resultsDETROIT โ Three Detroit voters have joined a local organization in suing President Trump and his campaign over their effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Wayne County Board of Canvassers certifies results despite initial deadlockThe lawsuit comes days after two GOP members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers initially voted not to certify the votes, citing discrepancies in the countyโs numbers. The pair changed their minds again, however, after President Trump called them personally on Tuesday evening after the certification process. Still, some argue that their meeting with the president so close to the stateโs certification meeting is concerning. We expect the State Board of Canvassers to do its job and count the votes.โThe Michigan Board of State Canvassers is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. on Monday.
Experts say next step of certifying Michigan votes is โsimpleโ process
Read full article: Experts say next step of certifying Michigan votes is โsimpleโ processThe Michigan Board of State Canvassers is expected to certify the results of the 2020 election on Monday, Nov. 23. Several legal experts and local leaders say the stateโs certification of votes is simply the next step in the process and should carry on normally, despite drama over the certification process in Wayne County this week. On Wednesday, Palmer and Hartmann filed affidavits saying they believed the county vote โshould not be certifiedโ in an attempt to rescind their decision. Michigan officials say that there is no legal mechanism in place for the members to change their vote following certification. โIโm not worried about any attempts for them to cast out Wayne County,โ said Detroit NAACP Executive Director Kamilia Landrum.
Michigan GOP lawmakers meet with President Trump at White House
Read full article: Michigan GOP lawmakers meet with President Trump at White HouseDETROIT โ Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield met with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday. Itโs one of the most controversial White House meetings in recent history and thereโs concern the president is going to try get Shirkey and Chatfield to overturn Michiganโs 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. โWe 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 โ 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 presidentโs only concern was for their safety. Monica Palmer said she has deep concerns for her daughterโs 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 Stateโs 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 Trumpโs meeting with two Michigan GOP lawmakers
Read full article: What we know about President Trumpโs meeting with two Michigan GOP lawmakersDETROIT โ Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield are expected to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday. Itโs 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.โThe 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.โThe 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. โThere 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,โ 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 โ Thereโs an old legal theory you canโt unring a bell, but two GOP members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers are trying to. Theyโre attempting to reverse their vote in an effort to stop the certification of Wayne County ballots that they approved on Tuesday. โI 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,โ Kinloch said. Their job is done and the next step in the process is for the board of state canvassers to meet and certify.โYou 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 โ 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,โ Primus said. Primus said the problem in 2020 is thereโs 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 didnโt 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 Countyโs certification
Read full article: Michigan to certify presidential election results following Wayne Countyโs certificationDETROIT โ 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.โThe 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 โ 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 โ 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. โIโm 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 โ 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 โincorrect and not credible.โLawyers appealed and were rejected on Monday. The state Court of Appeals said it wasnโt 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 โ 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 wasnโt convinced the Wayne County judge made a mistake by refusing to stop the work of county canvassers. โ Jocelyn Benson (@JocelynBenson) November 18, 2020โIn 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,โ 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.โStatement 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.