LANSING, MI — After a heated and momentarily chaotic meeting, a bipartisan Michigan board unanimously certified the state’s midterm election results.
Michigan’s post-election atmosphere had not been as turbulent as 2020 until Monday, as losing candidates spread conspiracy theories to the Board of State Canvassers and testified — with no evidence — to widespread election fraud.
Republican Kristina Karamo, who lost the Secretary of State race by 600,000 votes, claimed an “unlawful election” but presented no conclusive proof of widespread fraud in the midterms. Instead, she and U.S. Taxpayers Party governor candidate Donna Brandenburg mostly disagreed with election law.
“If you have an issue with policy or the way things are done, there are avenues that do not involve baseless allegations,” said board chair Tony Daunt, a Republican.
The board, two Democrats and two Republicans, is not an investigative body. Michigan law gives the canvassers a routine role of approving election results certified by the 83 counties. (View an example here.)
If someone suspects wrongdoing, Michigan elections director Jonathan Brater said, a candidate can request a recount. Citizens can also request to inspect ballots, tabulator tapes and other public records, or file a lawsuit or police report.
“There is no reason to delay, because, as we’ve repeatedly said, we don’t have any investigatory powers,” Democratic canvasser Mary Ellen Gurewitz told reporters.
Canvassers voted 4-0 to certify the...
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