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Michigan's Presidential Primary results may come in late

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Michigan voters will cast their ballots Tuesday in the state's Presidential primary. But, the state’s top election official is already advising voters that results will likely be late.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said the results from Michigan’s presidential primary on Tuesday will almost certainly be late.

State lawmakers failed to update the law for when local clerks can open and count absentee ballots ahead of the primary. Currently it’s not until the morning of election day.

Benson said lawmakers need to update the law to match the new rights voters have

“To the extent that I’ve see partisanship impact our ability to get easy things through, it’s been very disheartening and disappointing. But I’m optimistic and hopeful that our clerks and many legislators on both sides of the aisle want to lead.”

Benson reports there’s been an 80% increase in absentee ballots. This is the first statewide election with no-excuse absentee voting and same day registration.

Abigail Censky is the Politics & Government reporter at WKAR. She started in December 2018.