October 16, 2020

Appeals court rejects counting Michigan's late ballots

Source: The Detroit News

Lansing — A Michigan Court of Appeals panel has reversed a lower court ruling that would have required election officials to count late absentee ballots and allowed third parties to collect absentee ballots from voters.

The Court of Claims "abused its discretion" by granting injunctions that allowed for the lifting of those provisions, appellate Judges Thomas Cameron, Mark Boonstra and Michael Gadola ruled in a 3-0 opinion. Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens made the ruling on Sept. 18. 

Cameron, Gadola and Boonstra were appointees of Republican former Gov. Rick Snyder.

The Court of Appeals panel noted the appellate court had already ruled the 8 p.m. Election Day ballot deadline as constitutional in a separate case. 



Read more: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/16/appellate-panel-wont-allow-michigans-late-ballots-counted/3685251001/

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My fellow Michigan voters, if you are voting absentee, either drop off your ballot or mail it in ASAP to make sure it gets there. If it's not in their hands by 8pm Election Day, your vote won't be counted.

June 1, 2020

Whitmer lifts stay-home order, allows dine-in restaurant service

Source: Detroit News

The decision by Whitmer would allow dine-in service with capacity restrictions by June 8. 

It also would allow for the opening of swimming pools, day camps for children, and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people. County authorities had declared Metro Detroit's swimming pools closed for the summer.

Sports practices and games would be allowed so long as individuals on the field and in the stands can maintain six-foot distances, according to the Associated Press. 

Casinos, salons and gyms will remain closed. This hurts Detroit, which relies on the three casinos there for a significant chunk of its revenues.



Read more: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/06/01/whitmer-lifts-stay-home-order-allows-dine-restaurant-service/5307119002/

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Michigan is moving forward with reopening. Initially only a handful of county's had some restrictions lifted before Memorial Day.