MI Presidential Election Fair, But Process Could Improve: Audits

LANSING, MI — A Michigan Bureau of Elections report summarizing more than 250 audits from across the state was released this week, confirming the accuracy and integrity of Michigan's election, according to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. However, the 41-page report still suggested room for improvement in Michigan's election process.

The more than 250 audits reflect Michigan's largest number of audits conducted following an election, according to the Michigan Secretary of State office. The audits were conducted by Republican, Democratic and nonpartisan officials.

Benson in March said the audits confirmed a fair election.

"The audits are concrete evidence that November's election was fair, secure and accurate, and that the results reflect the will of Michigan voters," Benson said. "Legislators should be working to build on this success, rather than seeking to undo the policies that made it possible."

Read More: Michigan Election Audit Confirms Accuracy, Benson Says

Election officials said they audited every ballot cast for president in Antrim County, finding that the Dominion machines used there accurately counted ballots throughout the county. Officials also conducted a statewide audit exercise by hand-counting votes cast for president on more than 18,000 ballots randomly selected across the state, which officials said affirmed the outcome of the presidential election as previously determined by tabulation machines.

Audits of absentee ballot-counting boards found that significantly more were in balance or explained than had been at the close of the county canvass, according to the summary.

You can read the full summary here.

While the election was fair and free of fraud, according to the summary, there remains room for improvement. Michigan clerks should focus on training improvements, and statutory requirements "hinder the ability of election officials to conduct elections efficiently and in a way that allows full documentation and review of election conduct, particularly with regard to absent voter ballots," according to the summary.

"After the most extensive audits in state history, no evidence of intentional misconduct of fraud by election officials was discovered," the summary reads. "Election officials should improve training and procedures to ensure better documentation of ballots received and tabulated, particularly in absent voter counting boards to reduce the number of precincts out of balance."