Federal judge says Michigan must count provisional ballots in wrong precincts

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

BY DAVID EGGERT
ASSOCIATED PRESS

LANSING A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Michigan must count provisional ballots cast by voters who show up at the wrong polling precincts but are in the right city, township or village.

U.S. District Judge David Lawson issued an injunction barring Republican Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land from ordering election officials not to count provisional ballots unless voters appear in the right precinct.

Lawson agreed with Michigan Democrats who say people who appear in the right city, township or village should have their votes counted regardless of whether they show up in the correct precinct.

Provisional, or backup, ballots are used when voters say they are properly registered but their names do not appear on the voter registration rolls