Dylan Scott is a GOVERNING staff writer.
E-mail: dscott@governing.comTwitter: @dylanlscott
Politics News
Michigan Audit Finds 1,500 Dead or Imprisoned Voters
Nearly 1,400 deceased individuals and more than 100 prisoners voted in MIchigan elections from October 2008 to June 2011, according to a report released by the Michigan state auditor's office this month, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Dead and incarcerated voters were identified based on a match of first and last names, date of birth, addresses and Social Security information (if available) between voter lists and health and corrections records. To state the obvious: the dead and prisoners are not supposed to be able to participate in Michigan's democratic process under state law.
There are 7.3 million registered Michigan voters, according to the report.
The vast majority (90 percent) of the votes cast by the deceased were delivered via absentee ballot, although that still leaves 145 that voted in-person. Most prisoners were found to have voted at the polls.
The audit report stated the Michigan Board of Elections believes the issue could be one of timing: an individual could cast an absentee ballot and then die soon afterward. Still, the auditor's office issued a recommendation that the board adopt new policies to prevent such ineligible votes from being cast.
Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has said that steps have been take to address voter fraud, reports the Free Press.
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe for updates.
- Most Viewed
- Comments
-
Latest from Politics News
- California Governor Heads to China Seeking Big Investments
- In his first official trip abroad since taking office in 2011, Gov. Jerry Brown is going to China to promote California exports, tourism and greenhouse gas reduction policies, and to open a foreign trade office in Shanghai.
- Behind Maryland Gov. O' Malley's Political Risk to Push Gun Control
- After the mass shootings at a Newtown, Conn., elementary schools, Martin O’Malley wanted to attempt something no state had attempted to enact in nearly two decades.
- Connecticut Gov. Malloy: NRA CEO is Like a Clown
- Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy went on the attack against NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre, saying that he "reminds me of the clowns at the circus - that's what he's paid to do."
- Oil and Gas Bills Pit Legislature vs. Governor in Colorado
- For Gov. Hickenlooper, who supports oil and gas development, the Democrat-sponsored and -supported bills create a dilemma.
- Gay Marriage Opponents Lose Ballot-Title Battle in Oregon
- The Oregon attorney general's office isn't buying an attempt by gay marriage opponents to radically rewrite the ballot title for a proposed initiative that would allow same-sex marriages in Oregon.
GOVERNING Data
- Gay Marriage States Map
- Map shows state laws legalizing or prohibiting gay marriage and civil unions.
- 2012 Population Estimates for Metro Areas
- Public Transit Agency Ridership Statistics
- Average Tax Refund by State
- Which Services Are Citizens Most, Least Satisfied With?
- 2013 State of the State Speeches Word Cloud
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Flickr
RSS
© 2011 e.Republic, Inc. All Rights reserved. |