The canvass is the official tally of votes for the election, with the purpose of accounting for every ballot cast and ensuring that every valid ballot is included in the vote totals. In Michigan, canvassing happens at the county level and the state level. The Board of County Canvassers canvasses each precinct in the county and determines results of elections for county and local offices. The Board of State Canvassers canvasses results from each county and determines results of elections for federal and state offices.
While municipal officers are responsible for the majority of election-related tasks on and immediately after Election Day, the Board of County Canvassers is responsible for canvassing and certifying the county’s precincts. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 168.822(1), 168.826. During canvassing, the Board of County Canvassers determines and declares the results of the election for county and local officers and the elections for county and local ballot questions. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.826. For statewide elections, the Board of County Canvassers transmits the county’s canvassed vote totals to the Board of State Canvassers. “County Canvassers Manual” at 8.
The Board of County Canvassers consists of four members appointed by the County Board of Commissioners for terms of four years. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.24a(7).
After polls close on Election Day, election inspectors seal all ballots and election materials and deliver them to the city or township’s Receiving Board (appointed by the local Election Commission). “County Canvassers Manual” at 16*.* Receiving Board members check that the materials are sealed properly and that the number of voters matches the number of ballots cast. “County Canvassers Manual” at 16. The Receiving Board delivers the Statement of Votes from each precinct to the Chief Probate Judge until the county canvassing begins and delivers the Poll Book and a copy of the Statement of Votes to the County Clerk. “County Canvassers Manual” at 16.
No later than 9 a.m. on the Thursday following Election Day, the Board of County Canvassers convenes at the County Clerk’s office to begin the canvass. “County Canvassers Manual” at 17. The county canvass must be completed no later than 14 days after Election Day. “County Canvassers Manual” at 17. The Board of County Canvassers may adjourn from day to day until the canvass is complete. **“County Canvassers Manual” at 19. The Board of County Canvassers’ meetings must be open to the public. “County Canvassers Manual” at 6.
If unofficial returns show that the election of electors of President and Vice President is within 25,000 votes, the Secretary of State must order the Boards of County Canvassers to expedite the canvass for presidential electors. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.842(2). The Secretary of State may require the Boards of County Canvassers to complete the statements for presidential electors by the seventh day after the election or by a date before the fourteenth day after the election. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.842(2).
During the canvass, the Board of County Canvassers must determine that each precinct’s Poll Book is complete, check each Statement of Votes for accuracy, and tally all write-in votes. “County Canvassers Manual” at 16*.* After each precinct is canvassed, the Board of County Canvassers adds up all votes cast for each candidate and ballot question and determines the outcome of county and local elections. “County Canvassers Manual” at 16*.* The Board of County Canvassers then transmits all vote totals and materials to the Board of State Canvassers. “County Canvassers Manual” at 17*.*
No more than 14 days after Election Day, the Board of County Canvassers certifies the vote totals for each precinct. “County Canvassers Manual” at 17. The Board of County Canvassers transmits the results for the county and the certification documents to the Board of State Canvassers. “County Canvassers Manual” at 17. The Board of County Canvassers also delivers certificates of election to the County Clerk, who must immediately deliver the certificates to the persons elected. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.826.
The Board of State Canvassers is responsible for canvassing the returns from the counties and determining the results of elections for presidential and vice presidential electors, state officers, U.S. Senators and Representatives, circuit judges, and state Senators and Representatives elected by a district that is located in more than one county. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.841(1). The Board of State Canvassers also determines the results of an election on a proposed amendment to the state constitution or any other ballot question. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.841(1).
The Board of State Canvassers consists of four members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the state Senate. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.22(3).
No later than the 20th day after Election Day, the Board of State Canvassers meets to begin the canvass. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 168.841, 168.842. The Board of State Canvassers may adjourn from day to day, but the canvass must be completed on or before the 40th day after Election Day. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 168.841, 168.842.
If unofficial returns show that the election of electors of President and Vice President is within 25,000 votes, the Secretary of the Board of State Canvassers may select the day for the Board of State Canvassers to conduct an expedited canvass. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.842(3). The day must be “as soon as practicable after the receipt of returns” from the Boards of County Canvassers, but the day must be no later than the twentieth day after the election. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.842(3).