{"id":2337706,"date":"2024-09-06T07:31:01","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T11:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/battleground-ballots-2024-election-to-test-michigans-new-voting-laws-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-06T07:42:09","modified_gmt":"2024-09-06T11:42:09","slug":"battleground-ballots-2024-election-to-test-michigans-new-voting-laws-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/battleground-ballots-2024-election-to-test-michigans-new-voting-laws-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Battleground ballots: 2024 election to test Michigan&#8217;s new voting laws &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbattleground-ballots-2024-election-to-test-michigans-new-voting-laws-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2337706&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Declared his campaign for President as an independent. However, his\u2062 request\u200b was\u200b rejected, and he will remain on the ballot as part of\u200c the Natural Law \u2062Party.<\/p>\n<p>As Michigan prepares for its upcoming\u2062 elections,\u2062 the changes to voting laws and the environment surrounding the election process are\u2064 particularly significant. With early\u2063 voting,\u2062 a permanent absentee ballot list, and mandatory\u2062 secure drop boxes, these reforms aim \u200dto enhance \u200cvoter \u2064access and streamline the voting \u200dprocess. However, uncertainties remain\u200b regarding the implementation of these new laws and the potential \u200bfor complications on Election Day.<\/p>\n<p>Not only will \u2063the elections feature \u2064a range of candidates across various parties\u2014such as \u2063prominent figures like\u200d Donald Trump and Kamala Harris\u2014but they will also\u2062 be \u2062watched closely \u200bfor any adverse election-related\u200b developments due to legal challenges, \u2064accusations of fraud, and the possibility of misinformation campaigns, particularly \u2064given the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-moves-one-step-closer-to-punishing-rashida-tlaib\/\" title=\"House Moves One Step Closer to Punishing Rashida Tlaib\">heightened political tensions surrounding<\/a> the presidential\u2062 race.<\/p>\n<p>Voter eligibility remains straightforward, requiring individuals to be \u2064at least 18 years \u200dold and U.S. citizens while showcasing \u200didentification or proof of residency. Moreover, absentee \u2063ballot processes are \u200ddesigned\u200b to be more accessible, though questions about \u2064how best to address any issues \u200bthat \u200barise during the voting process \u200clinger.<\/p>\n<p>Michigan&#8217;s elections this November will be a test of both the new voting regulations and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-tells-congressional-democrats-to-end-talk-of-nominee-swap-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Biden tells congressional Democrats &#039;to end&#039; talk of nominee swap - Washington Examiner\">ongoing \u200cpolitical dynamics<\/a> that shape \u2063voter engagement and\u200c turnout. Stakeholders will be keenly monitoring\u2062 how\u200d the\u2062 reforms perform amid\u200b these challenges as \u2062Michiganders\u200c head to the \u200dpolls.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Battleground ballots: 2024 election to test raft of new voting laws in Michigan<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1748632\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><em>Early voting is poised to get underway in several states this month. The&nbsp;<\/em>Washington Examiner<em>&nbsp;will take a closer look at the swing states, including voting rules you need to know and key differences from prior elections. Part four of&nbsp;<strong>Battleground Ballots<\/strong>&nbsp;will focus on what has changed in Michigan, a key battleground state that has been key to winning the blue wall in recent cycles.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/libya-flamboyant-qaddafi-son-announces-presidential-candidacy\/\" title=\"Libya: Flamboyant Qaddafi Son Announces Presidential Candidacy\">legal framework governing<\/a> how&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michigan\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Michigan<\/a>&nbsp;residents&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/voting\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vote<\/a>&nbsp;has been drastically overhauled since 2020, with&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">November&rsquo;s election<\/a>&nbsp;representing a pressure test for the new system.<\/p>\n<p>Since 2020, Michigan has introduced a raft of new voting laws after the state passed a ballot proposal in 2022 amending its constitution, according to Erica Peresman, a senior adviser to&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.promotethevotemi.com\/about\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Promote the Vote<\/a>, a coalition of Michigan organizations focused on voting.<\/p>\n<p>Chief among the changes is that every municipality in Michigan is now required to offer early voting for at least nine consecutive days starting on the second Saturday before Election Day and ending on the Sunday before Nov. 5 for at least eight hours each day. That is in addition to no-reason absentee voting, which Michigan has had statewide since 2019.<\/p>\n<p>It will be the first time the state utilizes early voting in a general election. But because of the wide-ranging changes in the state&rsquo;s election law, it is not known what election-related problems could pop up on Election Day, according to Peresman.<\/p>\n<p>The reforms simultaneously provide opportunities and present challenges to former President&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Donald Trump<\/a>&nbsp;and Vice President&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kamala Harris<\/a>&nbsp;as the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/economy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">economy<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Israel<\/a>&ndash;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hamas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hamas<\/a>&nbsp;war in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gaza\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gaza<\/a>&nbsp;roil their respective campaigns in the important blue wall state.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New voting laws in Michigan<\/h2>\n<p>Besides allowing for early voting, new voting rules in the state include a permanent absentee ballot list, and mandatory drop boxes, among others.<\/p>\n<p>Another significant change is the implementation of a permanent absentee ballot list. Starting in May 2023, registered voters have been able to apply to automatically receive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mail-in-voting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>an absentee ballot<\/a> by mail before every election.&nbsp;Municipal clerks can also begin tabulating absentee ballots eight days before Election Day.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, for absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots, the state of Michigan is now required to pay for the postage on envelopes that voters use to return their ballot applications and ballots.&nbsp;The absentee ballots of Michigan military voters and Michigan voters living overseas can be accepted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received by the relevant clerk&rsquo;s office within six days of Nov. 5.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Every Michigan municipality is also required to have at least one secure drop box for voters to return their absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots, which must be accessible 24 hours a day during the 40 days before Election Day and until 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.&nbsp;Larger municipalities are required to have one drop box for every 15,000 registered voters.<\/p>\n<p>Voters are required to be informed of any problems with curing their absentee ballot applications or absentee ballots and how they can rectify the issues.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Possible election-related problems in Michigan<\/h2>\n<p>It is hard to predict what election-related problems may be encountered in Michigan before, on, or after Election Day, particularly in the crucial population centers of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Kent counties, according to Peresman. Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties are near Detroit in the state&rsquo;s southeast, while Kent County includes Grand Rapids to the northeast.<\/p>\n<p>But Peresman, who was the Michigan Democratic Party&rsquo;s former voter protection director, contended that the new early voting and tabulation laws could mean results are reported earlier than they were in 2020, &ldquo;diminishing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/disinformation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>disinformation<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/conspiracy-theories\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>conspiracy theories <\/a>that proliferated&rdquo; four years ago.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;But there is no guarantee of that,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Early voting is new, and we don&rsquo;t know what percentage of voters will choose to use it. Clerks are not required to tabulate absentee ballots before Election Day, and many who were eligible to do it before the August primary did not. Moreover, disinformation about the 2020 election persists in Michigan, and efforts to sow doubts about the 2024 election continue to grow.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Wayne State University political science professor Jeffrey Grynaviski agreed in part, adding that there are no statutory restrictions on food and drink being distributed outside polling places in Michigan.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;With regard to election interference laws like those in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/georgia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Georgia<\/a> about food and drinks passed out in long lines, conflicts that I observe in other states over ballot accessibility because of long lines, or the possibility that someone&rsquo;s vote could be bought by a bottle of water or a snow cone are seemingly less relevant in Michigan because of universal access to absentee ballots,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Voting timeline in Michigan<\/h2>\n<p>Michigan residents can apply to vote absentee by mail, drop box, or at a clerk&rsquo;s office and will start receiving their ballots on Sept. 26, according to Grynaviski, who is based in Detroit.<\/p>\n<p>Mandatory early in-person voting in Michigan starts on Oct. 26 and ends on Nov. 3, but may begin earlier in some municipalities. For example, early in-person voting in Detroit starts on Oct. 21. <\/p>\n<p>Election Day in-person voting in Michigan starts at 7 a.m. on Nov. 5 and ends at 8 p.m. local time, with most of the state in the eastern time zone except for four counties in the upper peninsula, which are in the central time zone.<\/p>\n<p>All voting in Michigan is conducted using paper ballots, which are then processed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/voting-machines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>optical scan tabulators<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Voting eligibility and ID requirements in Michigan<\/h2>\n<p>Voters in Michigan are required to be at least 18 years old, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/citizenship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>U.S. citizens<\/a>, and residents of the state who have lived in their current city or township for at least 30 days, according to Wayne State University&rsquo;s Grynaviski. Those serving a jail or prison term are ineligible to cast a ballot.<\/p>\n<p>Michigan residency can be demonstrated by a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/drivers-licenses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>driver&rsquo;s license<\/a> or state ID, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check, or another government document, Grynaviski said. The 2022 ballot proposal also expanded acceptable forms of ID to include those issued by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/education\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>educational institutions<\/a> and municipal governments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Michigan residents can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/voter-registration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>register to vote<\/a> online or by mail until Oct. 21, after which they can do so in person at their clerk&rsquo;s office until 8 p.m. on Election Day.<\/p>\n<p>Every Michigan resident voting in-person is asked to show an approved photo ID, per Peresman, of Promote the Vote.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;However, registered voters who do not have photo ID or do not have photo ID with them can sign an affidavit of identity and vote a regular ballot,&rdquo; she told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When votes can be counted in Michigan<\/h2>\n<p>Under a new law implemented this year, Michigan municipalities with populations of more than 5,000 people can start tabulating absentee ballots eight days before Election Day, although results cannot be generated, printed, or reported before 8 p.m. on Nov. 5, according to Peresman. All municipalities can then <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-long-will-votes-take-to-count-in-key-states\/\" title=\"How Long Will Votes Take To Count In Key States?\">start processing absentee ballots<\/a> on the Monday before Election Day.<\/p>\n<p>Absentee ballot tabulation can be done in polling places, but larger municipalities tend to have &ldquo;absent voter counting boards&rdquo; that process their absentee ballots in separate absentee ballot counting facilities, including city halls and convention centers, Peresman said. Provisional ballots can also be tabulated by clerks within six days after Election Day if officials determine that the person was registered to vote and their identity and residence have been confirmed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Grynaviski added, &ldquo;The rules for counting absentee votes vary from community to community in Michigan and according to the decisions of local election officials, presumably based on the resources available to local election officials and the expected number of absentee ballots.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Certifying election results in Michigan<\/h2>\n<p>Each of Michigan&rsquo;s 83 counties has a board of county canvassers, comprised of two Democrats and two Republicans, which canvasses and certifies the results from every municipality in the county, according to Peresman.<\/p>\n<p>After the Boards of County Canvassers certify their results, which they must do within 14 days after Election Day, they report their totals to Michigan&rsquo;s Board of State Canvassers, according to Peresman. <\/p>\n<p>That body, which also comprises two Democrats and two Republicans, is responsible for certifying the state&rsquo;s results&nbsp;within 20 days of Nov. 5. Canvasses can be expedited if the unofficial results find a margin of victory fewer than 25,000 votes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The 2022 ballot proposal amended Michigan&rsquo;s state constitution to stipulate &ldquo;that the outcome of every election in this state shall be determined solely by the vote of electors casting ballots in the election&rdquo; and that the duty of the boards of canvassers is &ldquo;ministerial, clerical, and nondiscretionary.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Of the boards, Grynaviski added, &ldquo;If they suspect fraud transpired, the Michigan law calls for suspected cases of election fraud to be forwarded to law enforcement for investigation.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;A recount in Michigan is automatically triggered if the results are within 0.1% of the vote,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Otherwise, politicians usually have to pay for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/vote-recounts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>recount<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Per Peresman, &ldquo;a candidate petitioning for a recount &lsquo;must be able to allege a good-faith belief that but for fraud or mistake, the candidate would have had a reasonable chance of winning the election.&#8217;&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The petition must be filed within 48 hours after the Board of State Canvassers completes the canvass,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;The candidate must deposit a specified amount per precinct requested to be recounted, which starts at $25 per precinct and goes up depending on the number of votes separating the winning candidate from the petitioning candidate.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rules for poll watchers in Michigan<\/h2>\n<p>There are two types of poll watchers in Michigan, election challengers and poll watchers, according to Peresman.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Challengers can be inside polling places, early voting sites, and absentee ballot counting facilities,&rdquo; Peresman said. &ldquo;They can stand behind processing tables, inspect but not handle materials and equipment, observe voting and ballot processing activity, and take notes. They are not allowed to talk to voters, but they are allowed to challenge the eligibility of voters to vote under certain circumstances by speaking to a designated &lsquo;challenger liaison.&#8217;&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They are also allowed to challenge election processes, including the way that poll workers are operating a polling place or processing absentee ballots at an absentee ballot counting facility, and notify the challenger liaison of perceived violations of election laws by third parties,&rdquo; she added.<\/p>\n<p>Poll watchers, too, can be inside polling places, early voting sites, and absentee ballot counting facilities, but only in public areas, per Peresman.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They are not allowed to challenge voters or election processes,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;They are also not allowed to speak to voters.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Poll watchers can check polling place books, so long as they do not delay lines, Grynaviski continued. They cannot intimidate voters, wear electioneering clothing, or take audio or visual records, he said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ongoing election-related legal challenges in Michigan<\/h2>\n<p>Besides legal challenges regarding Kennedy&rsquo;s and West&rsquo;s ballot access and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel last year criminally charging 16 people for allegedly being part of Trump&rsquo;s 2020 fake electors scheme, there have been election-related disputes over poll watchers in the state, according to Peresman.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is an ongoing legal challenge to the appointment of poll workers in Flint arising from the 2022 general election and a new legal challenge to the appointment of poll workers in Detroit arising from the August 2024 primary election,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Both of these challenges relate to the partisan balance of poll workers. The Flint lawsuit was dismissed by two lower courts and the plaintiffs are currently seeking leave to appeal it to the Michigan Supreme Court. The Detroit lawsuit is in its early stages.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>There have also been legal challenges against Benson, Michigan&rsquo;s secretary of state, concerning voter rolls, some of which have been dismissed and some of which are ongoing, per Peresman.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is a pending legal challenge to[Gov[Gov<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gretchen-whitmer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Gretchen Whitmer <\/a>(D-MI)]and the secretary of state&rsquo;s designation of several state and federal offices as voter registration agencies, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-veterans-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/small-business-administration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>U.S. Small Business Administration<\/a>,&rdquo; she added.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who is on the ballot in Michigan?<\/h2>\n<p>The following candidates are on the ballot in Michigan this November: Harris and Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) for the Democratic Party; Trump and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) for the Republican Party; Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat for the Libertarian Party, Jill Stein and Rudolph Ware for the Green Party; Randall Terry and Stephen E. Broden, U.S. Taxpayers Party; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/rfk-jr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Robert F. Kennedy Jr.<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nicole-shanahan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Nicole Shanahan<\/a>, Natural Law Party; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cornel-west\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Cornel West<\/a> and Melina Abdullah; and Joseph Kishore and Jerry White.<\/p>\n<p>Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, last month denied Kennedy&rsquo;s request to be removed from the state&rsquo;s ballot, according to Grynaviski. Kennedy&rsquo;s notice of withdrawal came after he suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Trump in August.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Keeping Kennedy on the ballot was upheld by Michigan courts, at least for now,&rdquo; Grynaviski told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> of this week&rsquo;s judicial decision. &ldquo;The Michigan courts also kept West on the ballot, at least for now. In both instances, the absentee ballots are about to drop and there&rsquo;s not a lot of time to change the ballots.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Who remains on the ballot is important in Michigan because Harris has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/president\/general\/2024\/michigan\/trump-vs-harris-vs-kennedy-vs-west-vs-stein\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><em>RealClearPolitics<\/em><\/a>  average 1.5 percentage point lead over Trump in the state when polling respondents are asked about a multicandidate race. When respondents are surveyed about a head-to-head matchup between Harris and Trump, that advantage, already within the statistical margin of error, narrows to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/president\/general\/2024\/michigan\/trump-vs-harris\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>an average 1.1-point edge<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1748632\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1748632\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>**Battleground Ballots: 2024 Election to Evaluate New Voting Laws in Michigan**<\/p>\n<p>Early voting is set to begin in multiple states this month, and the Washington Examiner will examine swing states, highlighting essential voting regulations and notable changes from previous elections. The fourth installment of Battleground Ballots will specifically address the updates in Michigan, a crucial battleground state that has played a significant role in recent electoral cycles. Since 2020, Michigan&#8217;s voting laws have undergone substantial revisions following a constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2022. According to Erica Peresman, a senior adviser with Promote the Vote\u2014a coalition focused on enhancing voter access\u2014this November&#8217;s election will serve as a critical test for these new regulations.<\/p>\n<p>One of the most significant changes mandates that all municipalities must provide early voting for at least nine consecutive days leading up to Election Day, with polling open for at least eight hours each day. This is alongside no-reason absentee voting that has been available statewide since 2019. This upcoming election marks Michigan&#8217;s first use of early voting during a general election; however, due to extensive modifications in election laws, potential issues on Election Day remain uncertain.<\/p>\n<p>These reforms present both opportunities and challenges for candidates like former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris as they navigate their campaigns amid economic concerns and international conflicts affecting voter sentiment.<\/p>\n<p>**New Voting Regulations in Michigan**<\/p>\n<p>In addition to introducing early voting, new rules include establishing a permanent absentee ballot list and requiring secure drop boxes across municipalities. As of May 2023, registered voters can apply to receive an absentee ballot automatically by mail before each election. Municipal clerks are also permitted to start counting absentee ballots eight days prior to Election Day.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the state now covers postage costs for returning ballot applications and ballots via mail. Absentee ballots from military personnel or overseas voters are accepted if postmarked by Election Day and received within six days after November 5th. Each municipality must have at least one secure drop box available around-the-clock during the 40 days leading up to Election Day until closing time on November 5th.<\/p>\n<p>Voters must be informed about any issues regarding their absentee ballot applications or ballots so they can address them accordingly.<\/p>\n<p>**Potential Issues During Elections**<\/p>\n<p>Predicting specific problems related to elections is challenging\u2014especially within key population centers like Wayne County (Detroit), Oakland County, Macomb County, and Kent County\u2014as noted by Peresman. However, she believes that new early voting measures could lead results being reported sooner than they were four years ago which may help counteract misinformation surrounding elections; yet there are no guarantees given this is uncharted territory for many voters.<\/p>\n<p>Wayne State University political science professor Jeffrey Grynaviski pointed out that unlike some other states with strict laws against distributing food or drinks near polling places\u2014which could lead to conflicts over accessibility\u2014Michigan\u2019s universal access policy makes such concerns less relevant here due its broad availability of absentee ballots.<\/p>\n<p>**Voting Timeline**<\/p>\n<p>Michigan residents can request an absentee vote through mail or drop-off starting September 26th; mandatory early in-person voting begins October 26th through November 3rd\u2014with some municipalities allowing earlier starts (e.g., Detroit begins October 21st). On Election Day itself (November 5th), polls open from seven AM until eight PM local time across most areas except four counties observing central time zone hours instead.<\/p>\n<p>All votes utilize paper ballots processed via optical scan tabulators while eligibility criteria require voters be at least eighteen years old U.S citizens residing within their current city\/township for thirty days prior without serving jail\/prison sentences during this period according Grynaviski\u2019s insights into local law requirements regarding identification verification processes too\u2014including expanded ID forms accepted under recent amendments made last year allowing educational institution IDs among others alongside traditional government-issued documents proving residency status when registering online\/mail before October twenty-first deadline followed by same-day registration options available until close-of-business hours on actual polling date itself where photo identification requested but not mandatory if affidavit signed attesting identity confirmed instead per guidelines outlined previously mentioned organizations involved promoting fair electoral practices throughout state boundaries ensuring transparency maintained throughout entire process including counting procedures established under newly enacted legislation permitting larger communities begin processing absentees ahead schedule while still adhering strict reporting timelines post-election certification protocols enforced uniformly statewide regardless outcome achieved ultimately reflecting integrity upheld throughout democratic system overall despite ongoing legal disputes surrounding various aspects governance impacting future operations moving forward into next cycle approaching rapidly upon us now!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2652,"featured_media":2337707,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lara-trump-michigan-rnc-voting-scaled-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[32431,9807,9947,4601,33663],"class_list":["post-2337706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-2024-election","tag-ballots","tag-battleground","tag-michigan","tag-voting-laws"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lara-trump-michigan-rnc-voting-scaled-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2337706","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2652"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2337706"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2337706\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2337707"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2337706"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2337706"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2337706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}