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Former Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson suing to block absentee ballot order

Posted at 7:53 PM, Sep 29, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-29 19:53:46-04

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan's Democratic secretary of state is being sued by two Republican predecessors after failing to challenge a decision that orders the state to count absentee ballots days after the election.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in western Michigan. Republicans are trying to block an order from another court that could keep some races unsettled long after Election Day.

A judge, citing chronic mail delays because of the pandemic, said ballots postmarked by Nov. 2 can be counted if received within 14 days of the election. Critics say Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson must defend state law, which cuts off absentee ballots on election night.

2020.09.29 MI Election Complaint File Stamped (1) by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd