SPOILAGE

State Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Detroit) dropped out of the race for the U.S. Senate primary race after absentee voter ballots had been sent out to voters who had requested them. Many voters had already returned their ballots, which by law allows them until either July 24 or July 31 to spoil a ballot and receive a new one. According to local clerks, after McMorrow dropped out, there has been an uptick in several municipalities in requests to redo absentee ballots, although there’s no telling if the reason is votes being cast for McMorrow. According to Bloomfield Township Clerk Martin Brook, out of a total of 15,130 ballots sent out (as of July 13), 17 percent, or 2,607, have been returned. In the eight days following McMorrow’s resignation from the campaign, 77 individuals came in to spoil their ballots and revote. “We had very few the week before, and a spike after,” he said. Birmingham City Clerk Alexandria Bingham said Birmingham as of July 15 has sent out 6,236 absentee ballots, with 1,106 returned. Currently, 53 have been spoiled. West Bloomfield Clerk Debbie Binder’s office has seen a few people come in every day requesting to redo their ballots, “but nothing crazy.” Royal Oak Clerk Melanie Halas reported they have mailed out 15,560 absentee ballots, with 2,760 ballots returned so far. Currently, 148 individuals have requested to spoil their ballots. Troy Clerk Aileen Divison said 20,167 absentee ballots were sent out, 2,700 have been returned and there have been 74 requests so far to spoil a ballot.