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Concerns have also been raised regarding absentee ballot address changes, which could create opportunities for fraud. Patrice Johnson, chair of Michigan Fair Elections, pointed out a serious vulnerability in Michigan’s voting process: voters can alter the address where their absentee ballot is mailed, but now election watchdogs have no way to track these changes. “A citizen’s vote could hypothetically be stolen simply by redirecting the ballot to be delivered elsewhere,” Johnson warned. She explained that this loophole could allow a voter’s absentee ballot to be intercepted, leaving them unable to cast their vote in person when they arrive at the polls.
The BOE has defended the policy shift by citing concerns about voter privacy, but critics argue this explanation falls flat. Voter privacy, they say, is not compromised by data about the sending or receiving dates of absentee ballots. Instead, the BOE’s new rules hinder transparency and obstruct organizations from confirming whether ballots are legitimate.
Political figures and grassroots organizations have taken notice. Phil O’Halloran, Election Integrity Chair for Michigan’s District 9 GOP, drew parallels between the BOE’s decision and controversies during the 2020 election in Detroit. “It’s the digital equivalent of plastering pizza boxes on the windows at the TCF Center,” O’Halloran said, referring to the infamous incident where election officials in Detroit obscured the view of vote counters during the 2020 election. He, like many others, believes the BOE’s actions are designed to prevent real-time monitoring of absentee ballots, making the process more opaque.
The timing of this decision has further raised concerns, as the 2024 elections loom just weeks away. Election integrity groups argue that these restrictions come at a critical moment, with absentee ballots being a key focus of election transparency efforts. These groups rely on absentee ballot data to track and confirm that each vote is legitimate and accounted for, ensuring that the election is conducted fairly.
Without this essential data, watchdog organizations are left in the dark, unable to monitor absentee ballot rolls and identify potential issues in real time. Critics say that restricting access to such data could lead to questions about the validity of absentee ballots and, ultimately, the election results themselves.
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As Michigan remains a critical battleground state in national elections, the BOE’s decision is likely to fuel further debate about election integrity in the lead-up to 2024. Election integrity groups are already preparing for legal challenges, seeking legislative clarification, and ramping up public awareness efforts.
Patrice Johnson and her organization, Michigan Fair Elections, are leading the charge to expose the risks posed by the BOE’s new policy. “When the voter goes to the polling place, they could be told they can’t vote because they’ve already cast an absentee ballot,” Johnson warned, underscoring the potential for voter fraud without proper oversight.
While election officials claim that these changes are intended to protect voters, grassroots organizations fear that this is just the latest move in a broader effort to reduce transparency. As the 2024 election approaches, Michigan’s absentee ballot policy is likely to remain a major flashpoint in discussions about election security and accountability.
