Cheri Hardmon, senior press secretary for Michigan Department of State- Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, confirmed their office did receive a complaint regarding a violation of Michigan Election Law.
Hardmon further stated: “It was forwarded to the Office of Investigative Services (OIS) to investigate. We can’t comment on an active/ongoing investigation.”
In Flint, according to Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.759), the following individuals can legally possess a signed absent voter ballot APPLICATION:
- The applicant
- A member of the applicant’s immediate family (father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, or grandchild) or someone living in their household
- Individuals whose job involves handling mail, but only while working
- A registered elector specifically asked by the applicant to return the application; this person must sign the certificate on the application
- A clerk, assistant clerk, or other authorized election official
According to information sent to the Courier from the Flint City Clerk’s offfice, THE ONLY PERSONS LEGALLY ALLOWED TO RETURN an actual completed Absent Voter BALLOT are (1) the voter, (2) a member of the voter’s immediate family, (3) a person residing in the voter’s household that was asked to return the voter’s completed absent voter ballot, (4) a postal employee, or (5) an authorized election official.
The 3rd Ward seat has been vacant since September 2024, when Councilman Quincy Murphy died.
The winner of the 3rd Ward election will serve out the remainder of Murphy’s term, to run through November 2026. That person can also campaign as an incumbent in the citywide races next year.
