Despite suspicions, Delta Co. Recall Election certified by Board of Canvassers
ESCANABA, Mich. (WJMN) — In a second vote this week, the Board of Canvassers in Delta County decided Friday evening to certify the May 7 Commissioner Recall Election.
The failure to certify led to the cancellation of the Oath of Office ceremonies for two of the three recall challengers who successfully unseated the incumbent commissioners in near-equal landslide victories. The third winner was scheduled to be sworn in on Monday.
At the heart of the initial hesitance of Republican Canvasser Bonnie Hakkola and Alternate Republican Canvasser LeeAnne Oman was a suspicion that a similar vote ratio between two of the three districts was too close, and could possibly be an indication of voter fraud.
One of the Democratic canvassers told Local 3 that Hakkola expressed concern in the first meeting about the possibility of a chip being covertly attached to one or more voting machines. Another said alternate LeeAnne Oman had stated at the beginning of the meeting, before any canvassing had been done, that she would not certify the election.
The county clerk and Democratic canvassers told Local 3 they saw no evidence that the election was compromised.
BACKGROUND: How firing an administrator led to thousands-strong recall movement
After the election was canvassed in their Tuesday meeting, we’re told a general consensus was reached that the number of ballots, slips, and poll book entries all matched. In the past, canvasser John Myers tells us that would indicate the end of their duties.
Democratic canvasser Theresa Nelson also told Local 3 that if the original Republican canvasser, Sema Deeds had been present, she thought Deeds would have voted to certify.
At Friday’s meeting, Deeds—who has in the past spoken at County meetings in favor of the now-recalled commissioners—was present, and did vote to certify the results.
After the meeting, Hakkola declined an interview. At the top of the meeting, she spoke for about five minutes, saying in part, “in conclusion, I swore an oath to protect our Constitution to the best of my ability. I am doing my best to protect the votes of all citizens in Delta County and to ensure free and fair elections by bringing transparency and reassurance to all Delta County citizens.”
You can hear her full statement near the beginning of the video above.
After the meeting, our crew joined other local reporters to speak with canvasser John Myers. You can watch that full conversation below:
Before the meeting, our crew saw several people outside the courthouse, calling on the full board to certify the election. Below is our full conversation with David Adamini, who was among them.
Local 3 is working to learn when the incoming commissioners will be scheduled to make their Oath of Office. The next meeting of the board of commissioners is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21.
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