Election results in Michigan could take up to a day to finalize, but Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson remains optimistic that the process will run smoothly. Speaking on CBS’s “Face The Nation,” Benson stated that unofficial results should be available by the end of the day following the November 5 election. With improvements since 2020, she suggested results might be seen even earlier than expected.
Her confidence stems from changes implemented after the 2020 election, where more options now allow for earlier processing of ballots. Benson noted that while the results from state elections might take a day to come through, projections from third parties like the Associated Press often surface earlier, based on reported vote counts. But she stressed these are just projections and not the official count.
Benson didn’t shy away from addressing what could be a contentious scenario if former President Donald Trump wins the state. She made it clear that no matter the outcome, she will ensure local canvassers certify the results. Her firm stance underscores her commitment to upholding the election process, regardless of political dynamics.
Absentee ballots have already started flowing in, with over 1 million returned as of Monday morning. This figure represents more than 14% of Michigan’s registered voters, a notable turnout weeks before Election Day. Detroit saw a significant boost in early, in-person voting as well. On Saturday, nearly 2,000 voters cast their ballots, a tenfold increase from the August primary’s first-day turnout.
Benson also addressed growing concerns around misinformation, specifically calling out Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter). Musk had been spreading baseless claims that absentee ballots invite fraud, reinforcing a conspiracy theory about voting machines. Benson, however, emphasized the importance of trusting verified sources. “We all need to look to trusted sources of information, like your local election officials, instead of people running social media platforms with particular agendas,” Benson said, her words pointedly directed at those stirring doubt.
Her confrontation with Musk didn’t stop at his fraud claims. The two clashed on X over reports from Bridge Michigan that highlighted the growth of registered voters in the state. According to new state laws, voter registration now occurs automatically when residents renew their driver’s licenses, leading to a spike in registered voters. As of the most recent records, Michigan has 8.4 million registered voters, about 500,000 more than the state’s eligible voting population.
This discrepancy has raised concerns, with critics pointing to inflated voter rolls. However, Benson clarified that the number of registered voters exceeding eligible ones is not an indication of fraud. She explained the process by which voters are removed from rolls, which must follow federal law. Clerks can only take action after being notified that a voter has moved out of state, or when election mail is returned undeliverable. Additionally, if someone hasn’t voted in two consecutive federal elections, they’re marked as inactive.
Even with the inflated rolls, there’s a plan in place to address the issue. By 2027, approximately 606,800 inactive voters are expected to be removed, bringing the rolls more in line with the actual voting population. This methodical approach ensures that voters aren’t arbitrarily removed, which helps maintain the integrity of the voting system.
As Election Day draws nearer, Benson’s message is clear: trust the process, rely on factual information, and understand that while results might take time, they will be thorough and accurate. Michigan’s ability to deliver timely, transparent, and accurate election results remains crucial, don’t be distracted by the noise; trust the process, and your vote will count.
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