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Michigan may sue feds over postal service delays, absentee ballot concerns
The Michigan Attorney General’s office says it’s exploring a multi-state lawsuit to ensure absentee ballots are counted following concerns about cost-cutting and delays. The Detroit postal district had the second-worst delays in the country from April 1 to June 30.
Whitmer, GOP reach Michigan school restart deal over protests from educators
Michigan schools can restart this fall with online-only instruction but will be required to revisit that decision monthly and allow for parental feedback in public meetings under a new deal between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders.
GOP leader on Michigan budget woes: ‘We just need to suffer through it’
Michigan may not get any more help from the federal government as it seeks to balance a projected multibillion budget deficit by October, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, according to the most powerful Republican in the state Legislature.
Audit slams Michigan oversight of remote learning as districts embrace it
A new audit faults Michigan for failing to ensure the effectiveness of schools’ online-only learning plans. It’s gained some significance because numerous districts are opting for remote learning-only amid the pandemic.
Fact Squad: Peters ad accurately touts work for farmers, omits lack of success
A new campaign ad from Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters highlights his work alongside Michigan cherry farmers fighting a flood of cheap Turkish imports. The ad is factual but glosses over that the fight hasn’t been successful.
Michigan senator who got COVID didn’t wear a mask at anti-Whitmer event
Sen. Tom Barrett says he took “reasonable precautions” before he contracted the coronavirus, but less than two weeks before he was diagnosed, he didn’t wear a mask at a petition drive event that drew hundreds. Public health officials say there’s no indication that it caused an outbreak.
Michigan health director: Blame me for COVID contract with political firm
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon on Thursday apologized and took responsibility for initially contracting with a political firm to conduct contact tracing at the height of the state’s COVID-19 crisis.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer isn’t Biden’s VP pick but will speak at convention
Joe Biden on Tuesday named Sen. Kamala Harris of California as his running mate to help take on Republican President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, ending speculation he could pick Whitmer or other candidates who had been vetted for the role.
Fact Squad: John James skips details in ad claiming Peters ‘downplayed’ COVID
An attack ad from Republican challenger John James uses a 2-second clip and old attendance records to argue Sen. Gary Peters should have done a better job safeguarding against the coronavirus. In making the case, the ad omits some key facts.
If Biden taps Gretchen Whitmer as VP, what happens to Michigan government?
Vice presidential nominees almost never resign unless or until they win election, so Gretchen Whitmer likely would remain Michigan governor even if she is tapped by Joe Biden as his running mate. But would she curtail her duties to campaign amid a deadly pandemic?
Gov. Whitmer extends Michigan COVID-19 state of emergency through Sept. 4
The extended state of emergency allows the governor to continue issuing executive orders such as the mask-wearing requirement and stay-at-home order.
Map: Trump counties less likely to vote absentee in Michigan primary
Heavily Republican counties were less likely to embrace mail-in voting than their Democratic counterparts. Counties with more coronavirus cases also were more likely to cast absentee ballots.
Poll: Slim majority opposes drive to limit Michigan Gov. Whitmer’s power
Fifty-two percent of Michigan voters oppose a petition drive that would repeal a 1945 law Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has used to continue an emergency declaration during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new statewide poll. But that may not stop the GOP-led Legislature from enacting the initiative anyway.
Michigan passes absentee ballot voting test. November could be another story.
Despite fears of multiple-day waits and long lines, Michigan’s primary Tuesday experienced few major issues. Even more absentee voting is expected this fall and clerks say there’s no guarantee of smooth sailing without new laws.
GOP’s advantage wanes in last year of Michigan ‘historical’ gerrymander
Michigan’s political districts are some of the nation’s most notorious gerrymanders. But the maps drawn to give the GOP an advantage are facing their final election, complicating the party’s effort to reclaim a majority in Congress and maintain its edge in the state Legislature.
Absentee ballots favor Democrats in Michigan, causing worry among GOP
In an election with record numbers of absentee votes, Democrats were far likelier to remotely cast ballots than Republicans, who say they need to change or face trouble come November.
Detroiters who left for the burbs during pandemic are hardest for Census to count
Downtown, Midtown and Corktown neighborhoods — filled with residents who have homes, parents or friends in the suburbs — have the lowest Census responses in Detroit.
Michigan primary results: Rashida Tlaib cruises, Peter Meijer wins big
An absentee ballot surge that broke records during the coronavirus pandemic delayed some counting, but Michigan’s congressional delegation was taking shape by Wednesday afternoon.
Whitmer governs by ‘fiat,’ GOP argues in suit over Michigan pandemic powers
The Michigan Court of Appeals heard arguments Tuesday in a high-stakes case challenging Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency authority amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Republican-led Legislature sued the governor and is expected to take the fight to the Michigan Supreme Court if necessary.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer orders state police to enforce COVID executive orders
As coronavirus cases rise in Michigan — and enforcement of social distancing rules is spotty statewide — the governor orders state police to enforce her executive orders like any other law and requires state agencies to consider pulling licenses of violators.