INSIDER
Right-wing operatives heading to trial in Michigan over voter intimidation robocalls
Read full article: Right-wing operatives heading to trial in Michigan over voter intimidation robocallsTwo 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.
Burkman, Wohl ordered to send corrective message to victims of US voter-intimidation robocall
Read full article: Burkman, Wohl ordered to send corrective message to victims of US voter-intimidation robocallTwo right-wing political operatives at the center of a robocall scam in Detroit and other U.S. cities have been ordered to call their victims back with a corrective message. Jack Burkman, 54, from Arlington, Virginia and Jacob Wohl, 22, from Los Angeles were ordered by a U.S. district court Wednesday to issue “curative” robocalls to individuals that were previously targeted by an alleged voter-intimidation scheme. Burkman and Wohl were arraigned in Michigan earlier this month. On Wednesday, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered Burkman and Wohl to issue a new robocall to correct the misinformation contained in the initial calls made in August. Not only did Defendants incite fears of these grim consequences, but they baselessly tied the prospects to mail-in voting.
Fact-checking 5 new claims in final stretch of 2020 election
Read full article: Fact-checking 5 new claims in final stretch of 2020 electionWe’re fact-checking some of the recent claims made by candidates and ads. Biden’s tax plan, however, DOES call for a tax increase -- but only for Americans making $400,000 or more per year. Distorted Joe Biden video from Trump campaignA video posted by the Trump campaign claims to show Biden saying “Why am I doing this? Trump claims on mail-in votingWe’ve already fact-checked plenty of claims on mail-in voting, but there are some new ones popping up. Trump has conspiratorially inflated local incidents, contending, for example, that mail-in ballots filled out for him are being dumped in rivers or creeks.
Detroit mail delivery slowest in nation, USPS data shows
Read full article: Detroit mail delivery slowest in nation, USPS data showsAccording 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.
Where can I check to see if my mail-in vote counted?
Read full article: Where can I check to see if my mail-in vote counted?But a majority of states have realized those concerns and have put in place tracking systems for people to monitor their votes, according to Business Insider. In 35 states, voters will have access to a tracking system by providing basic information such as name, address and date of birth. There are 12 additional states that not only will offer a tracking system for ballots for federal and state races, but also at the county and local level. Only three states, Mississippi, Missouri and Wyoming, don’t have ballot tracking systems at the state or county level. For further questions or information on how to track your mail-in ballot, visit your state or community elections website.
Voting absentee in 2020 election? How to find your Michigan drop box
Read full article: Voting absentee in 2020 election? How to find your Michigan drop boxNo postage is required to return your Michigan absent voter ballot in person. Remember: The back of the envelope containing the completed absent voter ballot must be signed by the voter or it will not be counted. Mail your ballotYou can return your completed absent voter ballot by mailing it to your local clerk’s office. For this reason, we are recommending mailing in your completed absent voter ballot as soon as possible ahead of Election Day. Postage will be required to return your Michigan absent voter ballot by mail.
How to report, stop political robocalls, texts
Read full article: How to report, stop political robocalls, textsPolitical robocalls and texts are getting out of control, but there is a way to get them to stop -- for now. If you feel like you’ve received a political scam call, it’s important you report it to local police and the Better Business Bureau who will track the areas being targeted. We’re also seeing robocall scam calls. If you feel like you’ve received a political scam call it’s important you report it to local police and the Better Business Bureau who will track the areas being targeted. If you’ve been the victim of a robocall scam, report it on the BBB.org/ScamTracker.
Jacob Wohl, Jack Burkman face felony charges in Michigan for alleged voter-suppression robocalls
Read full article: Jacob Wohl, Jack Burkman face felony charges in Michigan for alleged voter-suppression robocallsDETROIT – Two men are facing felony charges in Michigan after allegedly orchestrating robocalls meant to discourage voters from voting by mail in the presidential election by making false claims. According to officials, an investigation revealed that the robocalls have been reported in Detroit and a number of other cities across New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois. “Any effort to interfere with, intimidate or intentionally mislead Michigan voters will be met with swift and severe consequences,” Nessel said. “This effort specifically targeted minority voters in an attempt to deter them from voting in the November election. Read: Trust Index: Fact-checking claims about absentee voting made during Trump-Biden debateThe official charges against Burkman and Wohl can be viewed in the document below.
2 men face felony charges in Michigan for alleged voter-suppression robocalls
Read full article: 2 men face felony charges in Michigan for alleged voter-suppression robocallsDETROIT – Two men are facing felony charges in Michigan after allegedly orchestrating robocalls meant to discourage voters from voting by mail in the presidential election by making false claims. According to officials, an investigation revealed that the robocalls have been reported in Detroit and a number of other cities across New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois. “Any effort to interfere with, intimidate or intentionally mislead Michigan voters will be met with swift and severe consequences,” Nessel said. “This effort specifically targeted minority voters in an attempt to deter them from voting in the November election. Read: Trust Index: Fact-checking claims about absentee voting made during Trump-Biden debateThe official charges against Burkman and Wohl can be viewed in the document below.
Fact-checking 5 claims about mail-in voting
Read full article: Fact-checking 5 claims about mail-in votingIn the Aug. 2020 primary election more than 10,000 mail-in ballots were rejected by the Michigan Secretary fo State. An absentee voter who knowingly makes a false statement on the absentee ballot return envelope is guilty of a misdemeanor. Claim: Mail-in voting is not the same as absentee voting ⛔This claim is false. Mail-in voting and absentee voting are the exact same thing. Claim: Mail-in voting benefits Democrats ⛔Even though polls show Democratic voters are more likely to support mail-in voting, there is actually no evidence that shows it benefits either political party.
Michigan SOS: Influx of voters, mail-in ballots to stretch Election Day into election week this Nov.
Read full article: Michigan SOS: Influx of voters, mail-in ballots to stretch Election Day into election week this Nov.While absent voter ballots provide a safe alternative to voting in person at the polls on Election Day, the process of counting absent voter ballots can determine how quickly, or not, final election results are announced. Processing absent voter ballots in MichiganThe process for counting absent voter ballots is different in each state. In Michigan, election workers are not allowed to begin processing absent voter ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day. The previous record for absent voter ballots cast in a Michigan election was 1.3 million in the 2016 Presidential Election. Polling precincts will still be open for Michigan voters from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Michigan Secretary of State to support City of Detroit in November election
Read full article: Michigan Secretary of State to support City of Detroit in November electionDETROIT Following irregularities in ballot counting in Detroit during the August Primary, the state is stepping in to ensure votes are counted properly for the November General Election. Little Caesars Arena will provide space for physically distant in person training for new election workers to ensure election workers and staff are fully prepared to execute their duties on Election Day. Hiring additional staff to support the City clerks office, including Christopher Thomas, former Michigan Bureau of Elections Director, who will serve as a senior advisor. Revising protocols for ballot counting and sorting to make more effective use of high-speed scanners (tabulators) and reduce the potential for error. The City of Detroit is committed to ensuring our elections are safe, secure, and accessible to all, said Duggan.
Michigan judge boots challenge to mass mailing of ballot applications
Read full article: Michigan judge boots challenge to mass mailing of ballot applicationsLANSING, Mich. A Michigan judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit challenging the secretary of state's mailing of absentee ballot applications to millions of voters who did not request one, ruling that Jocelyn Benson had clear and broad authority to do so. State Court of Claim Judge Cynthia Stephens' decision had been signaled after she rejected a request for a preliminary injunction in June. Benson, a Democrat, in May began sending the applications to all voters who were not already on permanent absentee ballot lists for the August primary and November general elections, as a way to encourage absentee voting and dissuade in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic. Stephens said Benson's actions are not contrary to election law and noted that voters in 2018 approved a constitutional amendment letting people vote absentee for any reason. The Secretary of State, as chief election officer of this state, merely sent applications that will make it easier for voters to exercise that constitutional right, should they choose to do so, she wrote.
US officials: No signs of foreign targeting of mail-in vote
Read full article: US officials: No signs of foreign targeting of mail-in voteTrump, for instance, tweeted July 30 that mail-in voting was proving to be a catastrophic disaster and added: The Dems talk of foreign influence in voting, but they know that Mail-In Voting is an easy way for foreign countries to enter the race. A senior FBI official said officials had not seen to date a coordinated, nationwide effort to corrupt mail-in voting. Even without active efforts to corrupt the vote-by-mail process, intelligence officials have publicly warned about foreign countries who they say have a vested interest in the election. Officials said this month that they have assessed that Russia is working to undermine Trump's Democratic presidential opponent, Joe Biden. But they emphasized the significant efforts that have been made since the 2016 election to improve communications and sharing of threat information with state and local election officials.
2020 General Election in Michigan: Key dates, deadlines to know
Read full article: 2020 General Election in Michigan: Key dates, deadlines to knowMichigan reported record voter turnout in the 2020 primary election due to the increase in mail-in voting. Here are some key dates and deadlines to know:Registering to voteYou can register at any time up to 8 p.m. on Election Day at your city or township clerks office. Related: President Trumps rhetoric on voter fraud is misleadingAll registered voters can request an absentee ballot online through our absentee voter request form before October 20. If you request your AV ballot the day before the election or on Election Day, you must vote the ballot in the clerks office. Your completed absentee ballot must be received by your city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 3).
Postmaster General: USPS mail-delaying initiatives paused until after Nov. election
Read full article: Postmaster General: USPS mail-delaying initiatives paused until after Nov. electionPostal Service (USPS) initiatives that could impact the timely delivery of absent voter ballots for the November election are being paused until the election is complete. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said in a statement Tuesday that in an effort to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail, the USPS will continue its services as normal through the end of the election cycle. Record numbers of absent voter ballots have been requested and issued in Michigan and across the country for this years elections. The Postal Service is ready today to handle whatever volume of election mail it receives this fall, DeJoy said Tuesday. More: Q&A: Whats happening at the US Postal Service, and why?
USPS cannot guarantee Michigans mail-in votes will arrive in time to be counted
Read full article: USPS cannot guarantee Michigans mail-in votes will arrive in time to be countedRELATED: Michigan US Sen. Peters launches investigation into Postal Service delaysThe letter was dated at the end of July, but didnt come to light until this week. Its only compounded fears that with more people than ever before voting by mail this year that votes simply wont be counted. This is not the time for the Postal Service to give up on its responsibility to serve, Benson said. Q&A: Whats happening at the US Postal Service, and why? Related: Wealthy donors pour millions into fight over mail-in votingBensons office is asking anyone who sees the post office removing mailboxes to report those sightings to her office.
Why 10,000 absentee ballots were rejected in Michigan primary
Read full article: Why 10,000 absentee ballots were rejected in Michigan primaryMichigan’s Secretary of State says more than 10,000 absentee ballots were rejected for Michigan’s primary election on Aug. 4. While the large majority of ballots were approved and counted, the state says approximately 10,600 ballots were rejected. According to Benson, just over 2.5 million Michigan voters participated in the Aug. 4 primary election, surpassing the state’s previous record of 2.2 million in the Aug. 2018 Primary Election. The previous record for absentee ballots cast in a Michigan election was 1.3 million in the 2016 Presidential Election. More: Michigan sees record voter turnout, absentee voting in Aug. 2020 Primary Election
Michigan to mail cards telling 4.4M they can vote from home in November
Read full article: Michigan to mail cards telling 4.4M they can vote from home in NovemberMichigan will mail postcards telling 4.4 million registered voters that they can vote from home in November's presidential election, and it will spend $2 million to reimburse local governments that provide pre-paid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Thursday. She said the moves, which come amid the coronavirus pandemic, are needed to make sure voters and election workers can stay safe. She pointed to the record number of absentee ballots that were cast in last week's primary, which also had record turnout. The state will allocate $5.5 million in federal funding to local jurisdictions not only for postage on ballot return envelopes but also to redesign envelopes to the standards of the U.S. Any voter can cast an absentee ballot without needing an excuse following the approval of a ballot initiative in 2018.
Michigan US Sen. Peters launches investigation into Postal Service delays
Read full article: Michigan US Sen. Peters launches investigation into Postal Service delaysSenator Gary Peters is launching an investigation into reported delays at the U.S. Postal Service as mail-in voting use spikes during the coronavirus pandemic. Mail-in voting is expected to surge in November as voters take precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic. In Michigan, mail-in voting shattered all previous records in the 2020 August Primary Election. Related: Wealthy donors pour millions into fight over mail-in voting
Michigan lawmaker begins investigation into US Postal Service due to mail delays
Read full article: Michigan lawmaker begins investigation into US Postal Service due to mail delaysDETROIT Has your mail been delayed or is it not even arriving at your home? With many residents frustrated, an investigation has been launched into the delays and problems in the U.S. ORIGINAL STORY: Michigan US Sen. Peters launches investigation into Postal Service delaysThe delays have Sen. Gary Peters so concerned, he launched a full investigation. Back in the 2016, the Michigan numbers came in late and the number of absentee voters at the time werent overwhelming. Related: Mail could be delayed as new postal boss pushes cost-cuttingPeters is asking for individuals, business and organizations who have been affected by mail delays to report the problems to the committee here.
Michigan Primary Election 2020: How to track your ballot
Read full article: Michigan Primary Election 2020: How to track your ballotAll rights reserved)The 2020 Michigan Primary Election is Aug. 4, but many have already voted by mail, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Michigan voters can still vote in person on Tuesday, Aug. 4, but the state expanded mail-in voting to help curb any potential spread of COVID-19 at in-person polling places. The Michigan Secretary of State reports a huge influx in mail-in voting, with a delay in results expected. ClickOnDetroit will compile Michigan election results. November 3, 2020: General election