Compromise can have its benefits, but playing loose with election law is a slippery slope. A comprehensive report released by Michigan Fair Elections and Pure Integrity Michigan Elections on June 21, 2023, sheds light on violations of Michigan election law and inconsistent applications of other laws during the November 2022 election in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Some of these violations and inconsistencies might be considered discriminatory.
After months of investigation, the report, titled Ann Arbor Compromises Integrity during 2022 Election, provides evidence obtained from open-source (publicly available) documents, Freedom of Information Act requests, Michigan’s official voter record (Qualified Voter File), and electronic poll book information.
The investigation focused on one city in Michigan. Ann Arbor comprises 53 voting precincts out of the state’s total of 4,950 voting precincts. The documents analyzed include time-stamped voter history records, voter files, and information on the receipt of absentee ballots at precincts.
The MFE/PIME report states that in our constitutional republic, election laws are passed to protect the inalienable right of all citizens to have their votes counted. Any violation of the law undermines the integrity of elections and diminishes public confidence. Moreover, each ineligible vote cancels out an eligible vote, thereby infringing on the fundamental right of citizens to have their votes counted. Enforcement of election laws protects these rights. Violations of law erode them.
When violations are brought to light, citizens have the ability to demand the integrity of all public servants and all public processes.
The Ann Arbor report revealed several violations and erosions of public trust, including the following five: