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Statement from the former long time Michigan Director of Elections, Chris Thomas:
"Today I was saddened to see unfounded allegations being made about the manner in which clerical errors were handled by the Detroit absent voter counting board.
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"Today I was saddened to see unfounded allegations being made about the manner in which clerical errors were handled by the Detroit absent voter counting board.
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In particular I understand that I am accused of directing an employee to back date the date a number of ballots were received. The accusations are wrong and reveal the person making them doesn’t know Michigan’s election process.
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The scenario described actually shows a process designed to eliminate errors working to do just that.
In the State of Michigan voters are not disenfranchised by clerical errors. The simple truth is that several ballot envelopes would not scan into the Absent Voter Poll List...3/
In the State of Michigan voters are not disenfranchised by clerical errors. The simple truth is that several ballot envelopes would not scan into the Absent Voter Poll List...3/
contained on the e-pollbook. The Qualified Voter File (QVF) was reviewed to determine the problem. On a number of records it was clear in the QVF that the final step was not taken by the satellite office employees when receiving the ballot.
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The last step in receiving a ballot envelope is to enter the date stamped on the envelope by the employee and select the “save” button. When that is done the 4th step position becomes visible to indicate all steps have been take.
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The 4th step on these records was not visible or highlighted.
A team of workers were directed by their supervisor to review the envelopes using the QVF. They were instructed that if this clerical error was the problem, ...
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A team of workers were directed by their supervisor to review the envelopes using the QVF. They were instructed that if this clerical error was the problem, ...
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...to enter the date the ballot was received in the satellite office and select “save”. This action then placed the voter into the Absent Voter Poll List so that the ballot could be processed and counted. None of these ballots were received after 8 p.m. on election day.
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Most were received on Monday, November 2nd – the busiest day for the satellite offices.
This issue was discussed with several Republican challengers. Two challengers were provided demonstration of the QVF process and they chose not to file a challenge to the individual ballots.8/
This issue was discussed with several Republican challengers. Two challengers were provided demonstration of the QVF process and they chose not to file a challenge to the individual ballots.8/
The facts are:
A clerical error was made when the ballot envelopes were received in the satellite offices;
A date of receipt by the employees was stamped on the envelopes;
The satellite employee failed to complete the transaction for receiving the ballot;
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A clerical error was made when the ballot envelopes were received in the satellite offices;
A date of receipt by the employees was stamped on the envelopes;
The satellite employee failed to complete the transaction for receiving the ballot;
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The staff was instructed to enter that date stamped on the envelope, which is not back dating;
The voters were not disenfranchised by the initial error.
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The voters were not disenfranchised by the initial error.
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In the heat of the moment responsible officials should avoid denigrating the election process without verifying their information."
I trust Chris Thomas.
#JustTheFacts
I trust Chris Thomas.
#JustTheFacts
12/12
Thanks to Liz Boyd for sharing Chris's statement on her Facebook page.
