(WXYZ) — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said her administration will ensure every valid vote is counted.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Benson said the state has important, secure protocols in the system and her administration is working to ensure those protocols are met.
She said it will take time to tabulate and process every absentee ballot. Per Michigan law, clerks cannot begin tabulation until 7 a.m. on Nov. 3.
Once ballots are validated, Benson said they will be counted by a pair of election workers, one from each political party who are trained to count together to prevent political bias.
In some jurisdictions, the absentee ballots will not be counted until Friday, Benson said. Once they're all counted, bipartisan boards from county and state levels will review procedures and evaluate the accounts of the entire election prior to results being certified as official.
She said the state's set of security protocols is "especially robust."
"Whether you choose to vote absentee or cast your ballot at the polls, you can be certain your vote will count and be confident your voice will be heard," Benson said.
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