This was a simple, routine decision, placed in the hands of the wrong people at the wrong time. Last night the Wayne County Board of Canvassers deadlocked in a routine act of certifying that county’s vote. Despite the overwhelming victory of Joe Biden...
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This was a simple, routine decision, placed in the hands of the
wrong people at the wrong time.
Last night the Wayne County Board of Canvassers deadlocked in a routine act of certifying that county’s vote.
Despite the overwhelming victory of Joe Biden in that county, the Wayne County Election Board’s two Republicans baselessly refused to certify the election results, causing a 2-2 deadlock, reportedly saying they would
agree as long as the [predominantly black vote] in Detroit was nullified. The Trump campaign quickly jumped in, voicing its approval.
The state GOP jumped in and lauded the decision. Trump campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis
excitedly predicted it was the first step toward the GOP state legislature tossing out the results of the election and appointing Trump electors to the electoral college. Finally President Trump
himself tweeted excitedly that it was a turning point.
It was only a “turning point” insofar as the entire city of Detroit was being disenfranchised. In other words, the city with most of the pro-Biden, African-American vote would not be counted.
As reported by Josh Marshall at
TalkingPointsMemo, the public outcry was immediate and
intense. Within two hours the shamed Republican board members reversed themselves and the vote was certified.
The GOP board members apparently hadn’t reckoned on the intensity of the response. Within a couple hours they had backtracked and certified the vote. In other words, they backed down entirely and just did the standard and correct thing which is to certify the results of the election.
Reports from on the ground in Michigan suggest the intensity of the blowback was intense. And really that’s hardly surprising. How would you respond if you heard that two relatively obscure partisan functionaries had decided to throw out your entire city’s votes?
The two individuals who voted to deny African-Americans their legal votes are William Hartmann and Monica Palmer.
The
statement of Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes:
"In an outrageous display of partisan posturing, the two Republicans on the Wayne County Board of Canvassers refused to certify the election results. Monica Palmer and William Hartmann have chosen to tarnish their personal legacy by picking up the GOP banner of making allegations without any evidence. For the Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers to buy into conspiracy theories and completely disregard the will of the voters in Michigan is not only shameful but a complete dereliction of duties.
It was made clear by the comments during the meeting by Palmer and Hartmann, that they have no true understanding of the task they have been charged with and zero understanding of Michigan statutes governing recounts. This action does away with a long and proud history of Wayne County Board of Canvassers acting in a truly bipartisan fashion, protecting the sanctity of the vote and instilling confidence in Wayne County residents that their votes were indeed counted and counted correctly. Which is exactly what happened this year. The actions of Palmer and Hartman disrespects and disregards the voters of Wayne County, the incredibly hard work of the dedicated poll workers and clerks of Wayne County all in the name of partisan showboating.”
This is fascism. Wholeheartedly supported by Donald J. Trump.
