100 Absentee Ballots Go Missing In Michigan, Investigations Underway

The Grand Rapids City Clerk’s Office has announced that 100 absentee ballots are being resent to voters after the originals went missing in the mail. The city, along with the United States Postal Service (USPS), is investigating the disappearance, which affected residents in northwest Grand Rapids.

The ballots were initially sent out on September 26, but 100 residents reported they had not received them. Grand Rapids City Clerk Joel Hondorp acknowledged that while some ballots may occasionally get lost, having 100 missing is unusual. Hondorp noted that voters can track the status of their absentee ballots online through Michigan’s voting website.

In response to the missing ballots, the city has voided the original ones and sent out replacements. Voters will be able to differentiate between the two by checking the number on the ballot, and they can confirm the correct one by contacting the clerk’s office. Hondorp also emphasized the importance of tracking absentee ballots using the state’s website to ensure they are received and returned properly.

While the investigation continues, Hondorp reassured voters that the issue is being addressed. He noted that the city had sent out a total of 32,000 absentee ballots for the upcoming election, and the 100 missing ballots represent a small fraction of the overall total.

The city and USPS are actively looking into the cause of the disappearance, but for now, voters are encouraged to monitor their ballots and report any issues to the clerk’s office to ensure their vote is counted.