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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Genesee clerk register asks state to review Flint election recount
Dominic Adams | dadams5@mlive.com By Dominic Adams | dadams5@mlive.com
on December 05, 2013 at 5:30 PM
FLINT, MI – Genesee County Clerk-Register John Gleason is asking the Michigan State Bureau of Elections to investigate why a recount involving a Flint City Council seat couldn’t include absentee ballots.
Eric Mays maintained his seat and gained a vote in the First Ward recount request from challenger Anita Brown on Tuesday, Dec. 3. He won 710 to 702.
The Genesee County Board of Canvassers did not count absentee ballots during the recount because the seal number on the box that held the ballots could not be matched with the number registered in the poll books.
Gleason said all of the Flint’s absentee ballots – about 2,800 – were in that same ballot box.
The one-sentence letter sent by Gleason on Wednesday, Dec. 4, asks the state to “review the incidents that lead to the inability of the Genesee County Board of Canvassers to recount the absentee ballots…”
“That’s why I want the state to come in,” Gleason said. “I want a neutral person to come in and give us direction to help us be better. It’s not fruitful to place blame. I want to find a solution.”
Flint City Clerk Inez Brown said she offered to call in the election worker to explain why the box holding the absentee ballots was resealed.
But the board of canvassers voted not to recount the absentees.
“I think out of courtesy, respect and protocol, (Gleason) should have contacted us to let us know,” about the letter to the state, Inez Brown said. “I’ve got a problem with that and his integrity.”
Gleason said there were no other election issues in other municipalities in the county.
“I can’t, in full faith, ask people to vote if they’re not going to be counted,” he said. “This is unacceptable when you don’t have the ability to recount nearly 3,000 votes.”
Anita Brown said she also contacted the state elections bureau, the Department of Justice and the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
“That did not show fairness and transparency,” Anita Brown said, of the inability to recount the absentees. “I’m looking for some kind of resolve. There’s something that has to be done. We’ve got to enhance a change within the recount process.
“If the election stay the same – I’m not looking at that – I’m looking at the process.”
Mays said the number on the ballot box may not have matched up with the one in the poll books because of an honest mistake or an intentional one.
But Mays said the law is clear that when the numbers do not match up the ballots can’t be recounted.
“I hope and believe that if it’s ever looked at Eric Mays will still win,” Mays said. “I don’t object or consent. I’ll be curious to see what the elections bureau say.”
Dominic Adams is a reporter for The Flint Journal. Contact him at dadams5@mlive.com or 810-241-8803. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+. |
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Fri Dec 06, 2013 9:51 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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It is the job of the election officials, and not the City Clerk herself, to seal the boxes at the close of the election.
MICHIGAN STATUTES AND CODES Section 168.671 - Blank forms for returns; seals. a.selFontSize,.listenWords{background:#3789B9;color:#fff} #playerControl li{float:left;padding:5px} Listen MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW (EXCERPT)Act 116 of 1954168.671 Blank forms for returns; seals.Sec. 671. At the time of delivering the official ballots and other election supplies to the township and city clerks or, for city, village, or township elections, to the wards or precincts, a sufficient number of blank forms for use by the election inspectors in making the statement of returns of the election as required by law shall be delivered. At the same time, a sufficient number of seals for the use of the election inspectors in sealing the ballot boxes after the close of the election shall be delivered. A record of the number of seals delivered to each voting precinct and absent voter counting board precinct shall be recorded and preserved.History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 Popular Name: Election Code Loading... Play Pause Volume: Mute Half Max MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW (EXCERPT)Act 116 of 1954168.671 Blank forms for returns; seals.Sec. 671. At the time of delivering the official ballots and other election supplies to the township and city clerks or, for city, village, or township elections, to the wards or precincts, a sufficient number of blank forms for use by the election inspectors in making the statement of returns of the election as required by law shall be delivered. At the same time, a sufficient number of seals for the use of the election inspectors in sealing the ballot boxes after the close of the election shall be delivered. A record of the number of seals delivered to each voting precinct and absent voter counting board precinct shall be recorded and preserved. History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 261, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 Popular Name: Election Code - See more at: http://statutes.laws.com/michigan/chapter-168/act-116-of-1954/116-1954-xxviii/116-1954-xxviii-polling-places-equipment-supplies/section-168-671#sthash.7AnhnOIQ.dpuf |
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Fri Dec 06, 2013 2:54 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Gleason did not notify Inez Brown of his decision to send a letter to the state. The Flint Journal reporter called her and told her they had a copy. In a way Gleason threw Brown under the bus by not offering her a courtesy call.
When the issue of the seal arose, Inez asked to be allowed to call in the two co-chairs for an explanation of why the wrong seal number was in the books. Brown wanted to ensure the integrity of the process. She was over ruled.
The initial certified results showed Anita brown had more absentee votes than Eric Mays. However Anita brown also wanted to see the rejected ballots. They would have been rejected for a number of reasons, such as having had the bottom of the ballot removed. |
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Fri Dec 06, 2013 3:10 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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"It is a presumption of fraud when the recorded number in a poll book of the seal on a ballot box does not match. The public has a right to know why."
"When you create a presumption of fraud the taxpayers do not have to prove it was. The election administrator has t prove it was not. Shifts the burden of proof."
These quotes are from Attorney Terry Bankert on his Facebook page. Terry made these remarks from experience as he once served as the Flint City Clerk.
Gleason may have made the right call when the seal number did not match the poll book. However, as a matter of courtesy, he had an obligation to discuss the matter with Inez Brown. Brown says there was an explanation that was never allowed to be entered into the discussion.
Was the seal tampered with? We may never know. But, the unfortunate result was that had these ballots been available for a recount, the election may have had a different outcome. I have been told that Brown received more absentee ballot votes than Mays. Would they have been enough to change the election? |
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Fri Dec 06, 2013 7:17 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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burtonguy on M-live seems to speak from experience and presents a logical explanation of the process.
burtonguy
4 Hours Ago
The ballot box is sealed after the votes are counted. At a recount, the seal is examined to make sure the ballots have not been tampered with since the original count. If the seal is not intact or does not match the seal placed on the ballot box after the original count, the ballots have possibly been tapered with, so the original count is usually considered the most accurate count. Sealing a ballot box is not rocket science, and there is no good reason the seal does not match the poll book.
burtonguy
Yesterday
The reason votes cannot be recounted if the seal does match the poll book is because the chances of the ballots being tampered with in the time lapse between the original count and recount is greater than the original count being wrong, so the original count is the most acceptable count. For the most correct count, nothing should change except better adherence to proper procedure in the future. |
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Fri Dec 06, 2013 7:37 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Genesee County board chair issues apology to Flint clerk for actions of Clerk-Register John Gleason
Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on December 11, 2013 at 5:30 PM, updated December 11, 2013 at 5:33 PM
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The chairman of the county Board of Commissioners has apologized to Flint Clerk Inez Brown for the actions of county Clerk-Register John Gleason.
Board Chairman Jamie Curtis publicly apologized today, Dec. 11, after Brown said Gleason shocked her by asking the Michigan Secretary of State to investigate the handling of absentee ballots in a Flint City Council election last month.
The county Board of Canvassers said last week that it could not include absentee ballots during a Flint council recount because a seal number on the box that held the ballots could not be matched with the number registered in poll books.
Brown told commissioners today that neither Gleason nor the Board of Canvassers took her up on an offer to sort out the seal number issue and said Gleason never consulted with her about the request to the state.
"Out of courtesy, dignity and protocol (I should have been consulted, but) in the dark of night, this kind of action took place," said Brown, who said the action could cause voters to lose faith in the election system unnecessarily.
Curtis, who along with other commissioners has feuded with Gleason since his election as clerk-register a year ago, said Gleason is "truly not a professional."
"He would rather bring ... attention to himself rather than do what's right ... This board has also been victimized by (his tactics)," Curtis said. "I have apologized on behalf of the county Board of Commissioners."
MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Brown for further comment today, but Gleason said the city clerk shouldn't take offense to his request.
In his Dec. 4 letter to the Secretary of State's Bureau of Elections, Gleason wrote, "I respectfully request that the Michigan State Bureau of Elections review the incidents that lead to the inability of the Genesee County Board of Canvassers to recount the absentee ballots in the recent election in the city of Flint."
Gleason said today that the state recited the language he should use in making the request, which he said he asked for to "make sure my office is running appropriately."
"I'm not pointing fingers at anybody," Gleason said. "My (office) was involved in that as well ... I have (asked for) a review -- a complete review of both offices. People need to know we are doing the right thing." |
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Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:36 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The time for finger pointing may be over as I have been informed that auditors from the state were in the Flint Clerk's office today reviewing records from the two previous elections, not the one currently in dispute. It appears that the issue may be more of a long term issue and not just a one time event. Precinct 57 is said to play a role in part of the investigation.
The issue of the trust is long over as the issue of the integrity of the Flint ballot has been repeatedly challenged.
Francis Gilcreast of the Flint NAACP has also reached out to the Genesee County Clerk's office because of concern over possible vote tampering and the fact the recount could not take place. Explanation or not from the Flint Clerk, there are too many unanswered questions.
Why did it take 5 and 1/2 hours to go 300 feet from Flint to the county on election night? The county had to pay overtime as they waited for these records.
Why did the poll book generated by Flint employees ail to match the ballot count ?
Was the seal removed and replaced? Is that why the seal number did not match the records? |
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Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:50 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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State jumps into absentee ballot investigation in Flint
Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on December 12, 2013 at 6:30 PM, updated December 12, 2013 at 6:36 PM
FLINT, MI -- The state is reviewing why absentee ballots in Flint couldn't be examined last week as part of a recount in a close Flint City Council election.
Fred Woodhams, a spokesman for the Michigan Secretary of State's Office, said representatives of the SOS Bureau of Elections have spoken to Flint Clerk Inez Brown and other election officials as part of the review.
Woodhams said the investigation came in response to a request from Genesee County Clerk-Register John Gleason, who asked for it following a recount in the Flint council race between Eric Mays, who won by 8 votes, and Anita Brown.
Although the county performed a hand recount of ballots cast on Election Day in the race, the Board of Canvassers did not recount absentee ballots because a seal number on the box that held those ballots could not be matched with the number registered in poll books.
Brown has said she offered to help the Board of Canvassers sort out confusion over the situation by calling in election workers to discuss what may have occurred but wasn't taken up on the offer.
Brown said today, Dec. 12, that it would not be appropriate to comment on what may have caused the situation to occur while the state review is ongoing, and Woodhams confirmed it is not completed.
"I don't have a lot to say. We did receive the letter (from Gleason)," Woodhams said. "We'll send a response. We'll release that when the letter is released to Clerk Gleason".
Woodhams said the review won't effect the results of the Flint City Council race that brought the absentee ballot problem to light.
Gleason requested the state review the absentee ballot issue after the Dec. 3 recount, and Brown on Wednesday, Dec. 11, criticized his handling of the matter in an address to the county Board of Commissioners.
Gleason wrote to the state Dec. 4, saying, "I respectfully request that the Michigan State Bureau of Elections review the incidents that lead to the inability of the Genesee County Board of Canvassers to recount the absentee ballots in the recent election in the city of Flint."
Gleason said all of the Flint’s absentee ballots – about 2,800 – were in that same ballot box.[/b] |
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Thu Dec 12, 2013 7:40 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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| Gleason stated he could not comment on an ongoing investigation. However he indicated this Flint has an ongoing problem with election results. |
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Thu Dec 12, 2013 7:43 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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ROJS NEWS I M-live shared a link on the problem Detroit has with ballots:
This link includes videos.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/09/25/1241208/-...
Daily Kos: Burying Heads in Detroit's Recount Sandbox Fail Fixing Problems with Michigan Elections System
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/09/25/1241208/-...
Photo Credit - WomanDonors.org Originally Published at Independent Underground News & Talk What's happening in Detroit is a travesty of the highest order. Definitive statements of fact not fiction ...
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Fri Dec 13, 2013 3:53 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Fri Dec 13, 2013 3:44 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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IUNewsTalkFollowRSS
Daily Kos member
Wed Sep 25, 2013 at 12:41 AM PDT.
Burying Heads in Detroit's Recount Sandbox Fail Fixing Problems with Michigan Elections System
by
IUNewsTalkFollow
.
Photo Credit - WomanDonors.org
Originally Published at Independent Underground News & Talk
What's happening in Detroit is a travesty of the highest order. Definitive statements of fact not fiction is necessary to wake up masses at this point. Michigan System of fair and just elections is at risk.
Since March 2013 our alternative news resource - Independent Underground News & Talk - has followed the election process leading up to Detroit's August 6th Primary and beyond. After a contest were The People answers on if Michigan's largest city election was performed with the highest ethics expected by a functional society, others demand silence.
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Wayne County Board of Canvassers Majority Decisions Add To Existing Election Integrity Questions Wayne County Board of Canvassers (WCBOC) Chair Carol Larkin and Vice Chair Krista Haroutunian. Canvassers Larkin and Haroutunian have made a series of highly questionable decisions impacting the ability to determine if alleged fraud and mistakes occurred in Detroit's Primary Election on August 6th.Canvasser Leatha Larde to date is the sole member of this body raising motions and points of clarity about Detroit's Primary Election August 6th. Canvasser Joseph Xuereb to date has been absent during meetings involving Detroit's recount taken place at Cobo Hall.
The video below recorded on September 17th, Canvassers Larkin and Haroutunian effectively shut down an investigating how twelve computer-generated absentee write-in ballots with candidate Mike Duggan name misspelled as "Micheal Duggan" appeared in one precinct.
WCBOC Meeting 09/17/13 - Recount Detroit Primary Election: Untested/Uncertified AutoMARK Machines - Video Credit - Mac Speaking
Detroit Public School (DPS) Building Engineer Maurice Badgett, Sr. provided testimony before WCBOC upon subpoena. Badgett's entire statement to the WCBOC was interjected when Chair Larkin abruptly adjured the meeting on September 17th.
WCBOC Meeting 09/17/13 - Recount Detroit Primary Election: Public Comments - Maurice Badgett, Sr. - Video Credit - Mac Speaking
Bagdett, Sr.testimony noted The William Beckham Academy in the DPS district was not a precinct location or election ballots transfer point. Anonymous resources informed Independent Underground News & Talk, Detroit Public School Security personnel destroyed security film normally retained for a period of 90 days.
Richard Dooley employed by Sodexho Alliance was also subpoenaed to give his statement before the WCBOC's September 17th. Dooley, represented by legal council at the hearing testified that he did not see or hear anything unusual at school location on August 6th. Soxexho Alliance was granted a contract with DPS for all of district's school properties remote site management after a merger with Universal Ogden Services in 2000 including security at the William Beckham Academy.
Investigation Of Unauthorized Election Challengers Entering Polling Location/Write-In Ballot With Consistent Handwriting Styles Halted
During September 17th WCBOC meeting, Canvasser Leatha Larde made a motion to refer for further investigation the charge that unverified election challengers entered Detroit Primary Precinct locations on August 6th.
WCBOC Meeting 09/17/13 - Recount Detroit Primary Election: Unauthorized Election Challengers - Video Courtesy - Mac Speaking
Unauthorized challengers worked for a organization dubbed as "Citizens for Fair Elections". The "Citizens for Fair Elections" group failed to file the proper paperwork required by Michigan's Statutorial Laws to send volunteer or paid election challengers in polling locations, CFFE workers used unauthorized credentials to query ballots cast for Detroit Mayoral Write-In Candidate, Mike Duggan.
Canvasser Larde motioned for the unauthorized election challenger issue to be sent to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office for review. However, the motion failed by a 2 to 1 vote, lacking support from Chair Carol Larkin and Vice-Chair Krista Haroutunian.
Questions exist why write-in ballots with remarkably similar handwriting styles was found in at least one canister opened for review by WCBOC's.
On Monday September 23rd WCBOC Chair Carol Larkin read a letter forwarded on behalf of Robert D. Kullman with East Lansing consulting firm Speckin Forensic Laboratories as testimony before the board and public members in attendance at the meeting.
Chair Larkin recited the following statement on Kullman's behalf, according to the Detroit Free Press.
“My microscopic examinations of handwriting features of each entry on each of the 19 ballots and my side-by-side comparisons of like letters and letter conbinations between the 19 ballots revealed ... there are a number of significant differences between the 19 ballots,” Larkin read from Coleman to the board.
It is unknown if Kullman's statement read by WCBOC Chair Larkin was notarized documentation or the reason the forensic handwriting expert was unable to give his conclusions in person before the Public Board.
Ability To Conduct Election Recounts In Michigan at Peril As Mistakes Made During Detroit Primary Surfaces
For state voters concerned about integrity elections in Detroit and statewide, a measure passed by Michigan's House of Representatives Thursday, September 19, 2013 by a 95 - 9 vote is designed to add up to a 115% usage tax for conducting future recounts. House Bill 4833. Michigan's Senate Chamber has not taken action on measure this week.
In a letter send out on September 17th, obtained by a anonymous resource by IU News & Talk, details how city poll workers are required to attend meetings throughout this week to review errors made during August 6th Primary about tallying of poll books. The letter cited poll workers failing to attend one of scheduled six meetings would risk losing employment opportunities in future elections. Detroit's Department of Elections under the guidance of City Clerk Janice M. Winfrey August 6th.
Detroit Department of Elections 9.17.13 Letter
Photo Credit - Anonymous Resource
The appearance an letter acknowledging mistakes were made on behalf of certain poll workers employed by Detroit's Department of Elections presents a controversial turn in the City's on-going August 6th Election saga. On August 27, 2013, State Elections Director Christopher Thomas and the State Board of Canvassers was summoned to eliminate confusion when WCBOC made its' first attempt to certify Detroit's Primary.
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"State elections workers dive into Detroit ballots to re-examine write-in votes" - Detroit Free Press - August 27, 2013
Director Thomas in a September 3rd statement to the Detroit Free Press cited Michigan's Board of Canvassers decision to certify the City's Primary corrected a problem should not have occurred.
“This process has stopped the most massive disenfranchisement in the history of this state,” Michigan elections director Christopher Thomas said. “What this board did and what this board agreed to was to correct a problem that should not have occurred.”
So, how did Michigan's Board of Canvassers under the authority of Director Thomas manage to certify a election were some of Detroit's Poll Workers erred to tally write-in votes in poll book unless explanations were given on behalf of these errors?
According to Receiving Board Guidelines provided by the Michigan Department of Elections - last updated October 17, 2012, Corrective Action is required to rectify poll book errors during or directly after an election.
"If the number of name entered into the Poll Book does not balance with the number of ballots counted by the tabulator, a full explanation must be recorded in the Remarks section of the Poll Book. If no explanation was provided, the Receiving Board inspectors should assist the election inspectors in determining the cause of the imbalance and instruct the election inspectors to fully document the cause in the Remarks section of the Poll Book. The remarks must be signed by both the election and Receiving Board inspectors."
According to a statement made to Independent Underground News & Talk by Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey on August 21, 2013, all poll workers with the City's Department of Election were properly trained and prepared to execute their duties.
"We instruct our poll workers to use tally marks just for they don't lose their way in counting," Clerk Winfrey stated. "Sometimes when you are counting large numbers you can forget if I am at 37 or 47, so if you use the tally marks and then go back and count your tally marks it's a way to check your work, if you will."
A comment made on The University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs website by a person named Chris Thomas reveals more questions than answer exist if poll workers were properly trained to tally write-in votes in poll books, and others who might not have been instructed how to perform this task of high importance.
"Regarding training, it is clear the precinct inspectors were trained as there are roughly 615 precincts and 179 didn't use hash marks. Why the 179 didn't use them remains to be seen," Chris Thomas wrote."
Tossing Outstanding Evidence Aside WCBOC Is Set to Certify Detroit Primary Unless A Court of Review Rules Otherwise
Despite outstanding questions about Detroit's August 6th Primary Election, the Wayne County Board of Canvassers is set to certify and end any further investigations into all of the above matters by Thursday, September 26. One of the eight former named Detroit Primary Ballot candidates requesting the recount, Tom Barrow, on September 24, 2013 filed a lawsuit against the WCBOC.
"We have just served the Wayne County Board of Canvassers with a lawsuit demanding that they open the absentee cases and compare the number of ballots to the number of names of people who sent them back!!" former Detroit Mayoral Candidate Barrow wrote on Facebook. Also account for the unused ballots from the printer."
A judicial hearing will be held Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 9am ET by Judge Robert J. Columbo. The hearing is scheduled will determine if all the absentee voter canisters used during Detroit's August 6th Primary be opened to compare the number ballots received in comparison to official poll book tallies and the handwriting recorded on absentee voter applications.. |
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Fri Dec 13, 2013 3:51 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The charges in this case were dismissed on September 6, 2011 because the Judge stated the Court was not satisfied with the charge of willfulness. It was alleged the County Clerk gave flawed instructions. Both sides agreed the clerks removed ballots from an approved container and placed them in a ballot box and resealed them.
There were civil lawsuits that resulted from this problem and it was further alleged that the Saugatuck County Clerk had conflicts of interest and was supporting one side of the issue.
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Schuette, Johnson Announce Charges against Saugatuck Township Clerk and Deputy Clerk for Improper Handling of Election Ballots
Contact: John Sellek or Joy Yearout 517-373-8060
April 14, 2011
LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette today announced that his Public Integrity Unit (PIU) has filed criminal charges against the Saugatuck Township Clerk and Deputy Township Clerk for violating the Michigan Election Law. It is alleged that Saugatuck Township Clerk Jane Wright, 52, of Fennville, and Deputy Clerk Lori Babinski, 44, of Fennville, willfully failed to certify that containers holding voted ballots from a Saugatuck Township election were properly sealed, despite acknowledging they were extensively trained in proper procedures required by Michigan Election Law. The charges come as the result of an investigation by the Secretary of State's Bureau of Elections after the Allegan County Board of Canvassers determined that a recount of the May 4, 2010 election on a tax proposal could not be conducted due to the improper handling of voted ballots.
"Election officials have a sacred duty to protect our election process," said Schuette. "Strict adherence to state election laws is critical to preserve the integrity of our democratic system."
"Michigan residents rightly expect that elections are conducted in an open, transparent and consistent way," said Secretary of State Ruth Johnson. "We will work with the Attorney General's office to insure the integrity of the ballot process from votes being cast to their final tabulations. Election integrity is sacred to democracy."
On May 4, 2010, voters in Saugatuck Township passed a two-year, 0.5-mill tax hike by a two-vote margin, 491 to 489, in order to fund the township's defense against lawsuits filed by Saugatuck Dunes owner Aubrey McClendon in U.S. District Court over his development plans for the land. After receiving a proposal for a recount of the vote, the Allegan County Board of Canvassers determined that a recount could not be conducted because the number on the seal used to store ballots in Wright and Babinski's custody did not match the number recorded in official election records.
State election law requires public officials entrusted with the care of voted ballots to preserve their integrity. Once cast, ballots must be stored in approved containers sealed by a tamper-evident seal with a unique serial number, and the numbered seal must be recorded to verify the election result and preserve the ballots. An investigation by the Secretary of State's Board of Elections revealed Wright and Babinski willfully applied a seal of record that was not properly documented, in violation of MCL 168.806a.
Schuette has charged Wright and Babinksi with a misdemeanor for failing to perform a duty imposed under Michigan Election Law, which is punishable by up to 90 days in prison, a $500 fine, or both. Arrangements are being made for the defendants to turn themselves in to authorities, and they are expected to be arraigned in 57th District Court in Allegan County this week.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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Fri Dec 13, 2013 4:19 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Milan candidate alleges election law violation
anash By anash
on November 14, 2007 at 7:01 PM, updated November 14, 2007 at 7:06 PM
Milan City Council candidate who lost in last week's election has accused another candidate's supporter of violating election law by directing residents how to vote inside the polling place.
Daniel Fromm, who was defeated in the Nov. 6 election by Rodney Hill for a two-year partial term, filed a written complaint Tuesday with the city clerk.
Fromm, Hill and Max Hall were all write-in candidates for the partial term. Hill received 193 votes, Fromm 144 and Hall 114. Hill was sworn in Monday as a council member.
In the complaint, Fromm alleges that Jerry Renning, one of Hill's supporters, was directing voters how to complete the write-in portion of the ballot inside the polling place. Fromm said that in at least one case, Renning told a voter to fill in Hill's name.
Under Michigan election law, no campaigning is permitted within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place.
Renning said Wednesday that there's no truth to the allegations, and he believes someone else is prompting Fromm to pursue the complaint.
"I don't think that's Danny talking," Renning said. "Danny is a great guy."
Renning said he was instructing people how to fill out the write-in portion of the ballot, but he never mentioned any candidate's name. Election officials walked by several times and did not object, Renning said. He also said an allegation in the complaint that an election official asked him three times to leave the building is false.
Fromm and Hill did not return calls from The News Wednesday, but Hill said Monday that he heard there was a complaint. He said Renning was a member of his election committee who was concerned that people would be confused by the write-in portion of the ballot.
"He took it upon himself to rectify the situation," Hill said Monday.
City Manager Daniel Bishop said the city will forward the complaint to the state Bureau of Elections, which investigates election law violations. The Bureau of Elections is part of the Michigan Secretary of State's office.
The city is waiting to see if Fromm can produce affidavits from any of the people alleged to have seen election law violations, Bishop said.
John Mulcahy can be reached at 734-994-6858 or jmulcahy@annarbornews.com. |
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Fri Dec 13, 2013 4:29 am |
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