{"id":6161,"date":"2018-08-28T13:33:00","date_gmt":"2018-08-28T17:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.mml.org\/wp\/inside208\/?p=6161"},"modified":"2018-08-28T13:33:00","modified_gmt":"2018-08-28T17:33:00","slug":"league-says-follow-state-elections-director-advice-on-2016-ballot-foia-request","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mml.org\/inside208\/2018\/08\/28\/league-says-follow-state-elections-director-advice-on-2016-ballot-foia-request\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Bureau of Elections Advises Communities on 2016 Ballot FOIA Request"},"content":{"rendered":"

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UPDATE:<\/strong>\u00a0The Michigan Bureau of Elections has just issued a special news update with additional direction on this “Emily FOIA Request” issue.\u00a0View\u00a0it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)\u00a0request seeking a substantial amount of information from the 2016 presidential election, including a copy of every ballot cast, was sent to most (if not all) Michigan Municipal League members last week. The League is encouraging our members to follow the advice of State Director of Elections Sally Williams and the Michigan Bureau of Elections, which issued a special news update<\/a> on the topic this afternoon (it’s also posted at the end of this blog).<\/p>\n

Williams, according to Gongwer News Service, told reporters that she has advised all municipal clerks to follow their typical FOIA procedure in responding to any request from the group requesting the FOIA \u2013 United Impact Group, LLC. Under the federal retention schedule ballots must be kept for 22 months before moving to dispose of them. That deadline is in September and Williams also advised clerks they “should not destroy those ballots” due to the FOIA request, according to the Gongwer article which can be viewed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The League has received numerous inquiries from members seeking direction on how to handle the FOIA request. The League also encourages members to consult their local municipal attorney on this matter. If the local municipal attorney has questions they can contact the League\u2019s General Counsel Chris Johnson at 734-669-6305 or cjohnson@mml.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The issue has received significant coverage from media statewide. Here are some of the articles:<\/p>\n

Detroit News:<\/strong> Voting group behind mystery requests in Michigan<\/a><\/p>\n

Detroit Free Press:<\/strong> Mystery group wants copies of all Michigan\u2019s 2016 presidential ballots<\/a><\/p>\n

Mlive.com:<\/strong> Secretive group bombards Michigan clerks with request for 2016 ballots<\/a><\/p>\n

The Oakland Press:<\/strong> Oakland County clerks receive large, detailed FOIA request for November 2016 ballots, other materials<\/a><\/p>\n

Gongwer News Service:<\/strong> FOIA Requests From Unknown Group Sent to Clerks for 2016 Ballots
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\nMIRS News Service<\/strong>: Mysterious FOIAs Asks Local MI Clerks for All 2016 Ballots<\/a><\/p>\n

Daily Press, Escanaba:<\/strong> City ponders request for 2016 ballots<\/a><\/p>\n

Ludington Daily News:<\/strong> Local officials respond to FOIA from \u2018Emily\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

WKZO.com:<\/strong> UPDATE: Who is Emily and what does she want<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Here is the special news update from the Michigan Bureau of Elections on this FOIA request:<\/p>\n

“Emily FOIA Request”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Bureau of Elections has received numerous questions in regards to the “Emily FOIA request”.\u00a0 We understand that\u00a0this request is quite daunting, and we want to clarify what we can with regard to Michigan Election Law.\u00a0\u00a0However, beyond election law, it is still very important that you work with your local legal counsel and FOIA coordinator, to properly comply with this request.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n