Officials in Michigan will begin pre-processing mail-in ballots before Election Day

For the first time in a presidential election, local officials in Michigan will be able to pre-process mail-in ballots.

“Previously, mail-in ballots in Michigan could not be put through the tabulator until the polls opened on Election Day, and in some of our large jurisdictions that is simply not enough time,” said Barb Byrum, county clerk in Ingham County.

The new state laws give clerks an eight-day head start on processing ballots.

Starting Monday (Oct. 28), Metro Detroit employees will be able to pre-process mail-in ballots returned to them.

The process includes opening the envelope, verifying the signature, verifying the ballot number, and scanning the ballot through the tabulator.

However, election officials cannot announce the total number of votes cast until after polls close on Election Day.

“Hopefully unofficial results will come a little quicker,” Byrum said.

While the new law aims to improve efficiency, only some municipalities will participate.

Warren City Clerk Sonja Buffa issued a statement saying her office would not preprocess mail-in ballots.

“Pre-processing for up to eight days may result in leakage or compromise of results. I will not risk compromising the integrity of the election,” Buffa said in a statement.