§ 168.616aCanvass of returns; certification of results; release of ballots, ballot boxes,

voting machines, and equipment.
 Sec. 616a.
    (1) The board of state canvassers shall canvass the returns received from the boards of
 county canvassers and certify the statewide and congressional district results of the
 presidential primary election to the secretary of state.
    (2) The secretary of state shall certify the statewide and congressional district results of the
 presidential primary election to the chairperson of the state central committee of each
 participating political party.
    (3) Notwithstanding sections 831 and 847 or an administrative rule promulgated pursuant to
 section 794c, after the canvass by the board of state canvassers under subsection (1), the
 secretary of state may authorize the immediate release of all ballots, ballot boxes, voting
 machines, and equipment used in each precinct of a city that conducts a city election in the
 first week of April if both of the following requirements are met:



                                                                    Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 9 of 2026
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    (a) The county clerk certifies that no defect in or mechanical malfunction of a voting
 machine, voting device, ballot, or other election equipment or material was discovered or
 alleged before the date of the completion of the state canvass.
    (b) The county clerk certifies that no other election for offices or questions appeared on the
 same election equipment used in the precinct for the presidential primary election.