Does michigan count mail in ballots first
In Michigan, mail-in ballots are processed and counted in a specific order. According to the Michigan Secretary of State's office, here's how it works:
- Pre-canvassing: Before Election Day, election officials begin pre-canvassing mail-in ballots. This involves verifying the signatures on the ballots, checking for any errors or discrepancies, and separating the ballots into batches.
- Sorting and processing: On Election Day, election officials sort and process the pre-canvassed mail-in ballots. They use a machine to read the ballots and tabulate the votes.
- Counting: The sorted and processed mail-in ballots are then counted using a tabulation system. The votes are tallied and recorded electronically.
- Verification: After counting, election officials verify the results by comparing them to the original ballots and ensuring that the votes were accurately recorded.
In Michigan, mail-in ballots are counted on Election Day, along with in-person votes cast at polling stations. The state uses a combination of electronic and manual processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the vote count.
It's worth noting that Michigan has a "no-excuse" absentee voting law, which means that any registered voter can request an absentee ballot for any reason. This has led to an increase in mail-in voting in recent elections.