Michigan’s election laws must combat fraud and create fair rules for local recounts

State Rep. Ann Bollin recently voted against a partisan measure that would have made significant changes to Michigan’s election recount process.

As a former employee with more than 16 years of experience overseeing elections, Bollin understands the need to balance preventing frivolous recounts with protecting against voter fraud. Senate Bills 603 and 604 go too far and repeal fraud prevention measures. The bills also dramatically increase the costs for candidates seeking a recount, even in elections where single digits are the deciding factor.

“I understand the importance of preventing frivolous recounts, but we must also recognize the rights of candidates and voters to ensure they have confidence in the results,” said Bollin, R-Brighton Township. “These bills do not strike the right balance. By making recounts too expensive, we effectively displace local candidates from ensuring the accuracy of election results and undermine public confidence in the process.”

“As a former official, I know from experience that most recounts are not due to allegations of fraud, but because the result is close.”

Current law allows votes to be recounted if fraud or an error is alleged. The law removes fraud as a reason for a recount. It also says that recount requests can only allege an error and show that the election would have turned out differently without that error.

“This proposal removes important protections that ensure the integrity of elections in Michigan,” Bollin said. “Our current laws give bipartisan county election boards the authority to investigate possible voter fraud. They must have confidence in the conduct of the election so they can certify the results with confidence. Removing these protections is a step in the wrong direction.”

The bills also double the fees for candidates requesting a recount and impose additional fees for each precinct that must be recounted, including special early voting precincts and absentee ballot committees.

“These additional fees may not be a problem for well-funded national campaigns, but they could be a significant obstacle for local candidates,” Bollin said. “In local elections, such as city council, school board or town council elections, very few votes often matter. In elections this close, confidence in the outcome is of the utmost importance. Recounts are part of the process and are very rare.”

Bollin sponsored an amendment designed to ease the financial burden on those requesting a recount. The amendment would have ensured that candidates would not have to pay additional fees for votes cast or counted at early voting polling places or ballot counting at absentee polling places. Unfortunately, the amendment was defeated.

Senate Bills 603 and 604 were passed by the House of Representatives along party lines and will soon be submitted to the Governor for consideration as legislation.

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