Election officials in cities with more than 25,000 people were allowed to begin pre-processing, but not counting their absentee ballots today.
In a Lansing polling place the sound of absentee ballots being removed from their outside envelopes fills the room as local election workers prepare for election day tomorrow (Tuesday).
Michigan is one of a handful of states that doesn’t allow absentee votes to be counted before election day.
Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope says that could mean a longer wait for results.
“Many other states begin opening, processing, and tabulating into their machines before election day. But we do not have that ability in Michigan so it is going to take a little bit longer.”
Today workers are simply opening the outer envelope, counting the total number of ballots, and matching the number on the ballot to the number assigned to the voter. Tomorrow, the actual tabulation can begin.