By Frederick Woodward and Caston Thomas | January 13, 2025
Kristine Christlieb also contributed to this article.
A team of data analysts are scoring a home run for election integrity in Kalamazoo County. After the November election, volunteer data experts identified a 3,690-ballot discrepancy between Kalamazoo County’s official statement of votes cast and the Michigan Secretary of State’s official statement.
Volunteer data analysts reported the ballot discrepancy to Kalamazoo County Canvasser Robert Froman who then contacted Kalamazoo County Clerk Meredith Place. She investigated the problem and ultimately balanced with the Secretary of State’s ballot count.
Tim Vetter, the data team’s spokesperson, said the teamwork leading to the ballot reconciliation “set a precedent for election data transparency and accuracy.”
Vetter went on to explain the importance of the collaboration between citizen volunteers and county officials. “Trust in our electoral system isn’t just about numbers; it is about the assurance that every voice is heard and every eligible vote is counted. When this trust is compromised, our society’s foundation weakens, and republicanism becomes vulnerable to attack.”
Election Transparency: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Where did those votes go? Place failed to respond, leaving open the question of how the discrepancy occurred and whether it can happen again.
This isn’t the first time Place has failed to respond. On December 4, volunteer data analysts sent Place a FOIA request for a complete list of voters used to certify the Nov 5, 2024, general election ballots from Kalamazoo County. Place refused to honor the FOIA, saying, “the records sought are exempt from disclosure by statute. Under authority of MCL 48.101.(3), documents that may constitute an abstract, list, copy or statement are records outside of the FOIA process and subject to disclosure pursuant to the responsibilities of the Office of the Clerk.”
In their investigation, the volunteer data analysts sent the same FOIA request Place received to all 83 Michigan counties as well as to the city of Detroit. While some counties are still in the process of responding; so far, 36 have sent the requested data, revealing there is a difference of opinion among clerks about whether they are legally bound to comply.
When there are disputes about FOIA compliance, the choices are limited. The request can be abandoned, or legal action can be taken so the courts can decide.
Vetter believes some election officials are afraid to provide information even when they are legally required to do so.
In September, under threat of an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)-led lawsuit, Froman agreed to sign an affidavit saying he would certify the 2024 election.
The lawsuit makes reference to comments Froman made to The Detroit News in which he voiced his belief that the 2020 election was stolen from President Trump. Michigan Advance reported when Froman was asked if he would certify the 2024 election if it unfolded the same way, he “was reported to have replied, ‘No. And that’s why I’m there.’”
Michigan Advance said the ACLU “filed the suit to ensure election law would be followed.” Froman disavowed the comments, but The Detroit News refused to print a retraction. Froman relented and signed an affidavit saying he would certify the 2024 election results. The following day, the ACLU dropped the lawsuit.
The volunteer data analysts’ code of conduct
The data analysts examining election and registration data have developed a step by-by-step guide to help facilitate the process of conducting a reconciliation. They recommend election officials take the following actions.
Review: Cross-check and confirm local records balance with the state-certified results.
Correct: If the records don’t match, make necessary adjustments to ensure the integrity of the vote. The data volunteers offer to help ease this process and help make changes.
Communicate: Keep the community informed about efforts to foster confidence in elections.
Vetter says the volunteer data analysts “want to serve as a bridge to ensure that the public's concerns are addressed.” He also underscored the group’s commitment to:
Accuracy: To collaborate with counties to verify and validate their vote counts with state records.
Transparency: Provide voters with clear, accurate information about election outcomes.
Trust: Work with local officials to build and maintain public trust in the electoral process.
Michigan Fair Elections Founder and Chair Patrice Johnson affirmed the volunteers’ work. “The legal system empowers Michigan citizens to trust and verify that their government is serving the will of the people. The law protects the rights of citizens to government transparency, and this sunshine is the best disinfectant. It’s fundamental to the checks and balance that our republic’s founders put in place to stop government officials from acting like tyrants.”
[Editor’s Note: Watch for additional reporting on how each of Michigan’s 83 counties responded to Vetter’s FOIA request.]
Frederick Woodward serves as a Legal Analyst for the Michigan Fair Elections Institute, Director of Research and Investigations for Politylitics, and a Fellow at the Albertus Magnus Institute. He is a Senior Contributor at New Guard Press, and his writing has appeared in The Federalist, the Lamp, the Daily Signal, and many other outlets.
Kristine Christlieb serves as senior correspondent on MFEI's communications team. She publishes Trust but Verify on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/trustbutverifyreport/p/voter-registration-blitzkrieg?r=2haa2x&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
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