Unusual request for 2016 ballots worries Michigan election officials

A recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for copies of ballots from 2016 originally puzzled Michigan election officials and is causing some concern as the group behind the request explains its motives.

 

A few weeks ago, city and township clerks across Michigan received FOIA requests from someone claiming to be “Emily”, asking clerks to supply, “copies of all ballots cast and counted on Election Day (2016).”

Approximately 2.5 million ballots were cast in Michigan during the 2016 Presidential election. Those sheer numbers cause Calhoun County’s Deputy Clerk of Elections Teri Loew some concern about the time, energy, and money it will cost to fulfill the request. (Read more…)