2020 Election

City Clerk Janice Winfrey says complexity and dedication is required to manage Detroit elections in an off-year, particularly during a pandemic and in a tense presidential election.

Since the August primary, Detroit has increased poll worker pay and training, added drop boxes and 23 satellite voting locations among other changes. Who is funding the effort?

Thousands of Detroit absentee ballot applications were not processed by the Detroit City Clerk’s office on time. Now, the elections office must respond within 24 hours and is overnighting ballots to voters.

Hundreds of poll challengers are ready to scrutinize ballots in Detroit and other cities on Nov. 3. They say they’re motivated by patriotism. Foes say their goal is to depress turnout in Democratic cities.

Despite federal guidelines, some voters with disabilities may face challenges casting a ballot in Detroit. Advocates and election officials are working to remove barriers to voting in the November election.

A federal court last week banned paid rides to the polls. In a transportation-challenged city, Detroit funeral homes, bus companies, ridesharing programs and car-sharing services offer free rides to help increase turnout.

With less than a week before the election, the Michigan Secretary of State’s office is encouraging absentee voters to take their ballots straight to their city clerk, voting centers or drop boxes instead of the mailbox.

After a controversial August primary, the Detroit election process went through a major overhaul to prepare for a record number of absentee ballots.