South Michigan News

After Michigan Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens recently ordered clerks to count absentee ballots postmarked by Nov. 2, even if they are received up to two weeks after election day -- overturning the existing law that requires absentee ballots to be received by election day to be counted -- Republicans responded quickly by seeking to have the order overturned.

Michigan State Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) recently appeared on WJR's "The Paul W. Smith Show" to say that the case represents a “double-dose of blatant disregard” for the Constitution.

“This judge did two things: One, she’s advocating and making law from the bench,” Shirkey told Smith. “And the second dose of disregard for the Constitution is that it’s very clear that the Legislature alone sets laws related to elections.”

Sen. Mike Shirkey | #MiSenateGOP

Shirkey told Smith that the idea of continuing to count votes two weeks after election day “doesn’t pass any smell test” in terms of running a credible election.

“And unfortunately, we’ve got an attorney general and a secretary of state who should be enthusiastically and energetically defending the laws of Michigan, but yet they have stood down now. I will give them credit that they’ve nodded their head in approval of the Legislature having standing in this lawsuit,” he told Smith.

Smith noted that state officials are urging voters to submit absentee ballots as soon as possible. “And that’s what people should do; that’s what the push should be,” Smith said on his radio show.

Shirkey agreed with Smith, responding that if the order is permitted to stand, it will create very late results from the election.

“When you and I drive to the poll, we have to accommodate for things like traffic and time it takes to drive there and so forth, and you have to anticipate and take the precautions so you can make it in time,” Shirkey said to Smith. “It’s no different if you’re voting with an absentee ballot.”