Updates About Elections

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers officially certified the results of the 2024 Presidential Election on November 22, confirming President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the state. Bureau of Elections Director Jonathan Brater noted that candidates have 48 hours (excluding weekends) to request a recount, which would require a fee. An automatic recount is only triggered if the statewide vote margin falls within a specified range, which was not the case in this election cycle. In Michigan, Trump defeated Harris by 1.4%, or approximately 80,000 votes.

Recounts are also making headlines in Michigan’s 44th House District race, where Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) has requested a recount following certification of results that show Republican Steven Frisbie leading by 61 votes. While a batch of erroneously ignored absentee ballots from Battle Creek initially raised concerns, the canvass narrowed the margin but ultimately confirmed Frisbie as the winner. Experts suggest the recount is unlikely to alter the outcome due to the reliability of current technology and previous retabulation of the aforementioned absentee ballots. However, results will be published after the four-day recount process has been completed (December 13th).

Rep. Matt Hall (R-Richland) has been selected by his Republican colleagues to serve as the next Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives for the 2025-2026 term. With Republicans holding a 58-52 majority, Hall, currently the Minority Leader, will lead the chamber during a pivotal period where Democrats will continue to hold majority in the Senate and Governor’s Office. Hall has had a steady record of keeping his caucus unified.

Meanwhile, House Democrats are looking ahead to a new chapter of leadership under Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton), who has been elected as the next Minority Leader. Aiming to foster unity within the party, Puri’s leadership comes after current Democratic Speaker Joe Tate announced he will not be seeking another term. Puri, a member of the legislature since 2020, has emphasized the importance of collaboration and strategic decision-making within his caucus. As Minority Leader, he is focused on reshaping the caucus culture and working across the aisle with the Republican majority, all while preparing for future campaigns to regain the Democratic trifecta in Michigan.

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee (RNC) against Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Director of Elections Jonathan Brater, which alleged issues with Michigan’s voter registration database under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering ruled that the RNC lacked standing and found the claims unfounded, highlighting that the RNC’s calculations were inaccurate and did not support their assertions of an overpopulated voter registry. Judge Beckering emphasized that the NVRA aims to balance electoral integrity with the protection against voter disenfranchisement, a principle the lawsuit failed to uphold.