On Election Night after the Michigan state primary, Detroit election workers faced delays in reporting unofficial results due to a faulty firewall preventing local clerks from electronically submitting results. They had to physically transport vote tallies to downtown Detroit, causing results to post online well after midnight. This delay raised concerns about encouraging conspiracy theories and frustrating those expecting prompt results, especially in a swing state like Michigan. A large batch of mail ballots dropped off on Election Day took until 6 a.m. the next morning to count, a common source of delay in election results. Despite the delays, officials emphasized the importance of accuracy and a quality product in the election process, even if it takes more time. The system worked as intended, delivering results physically when electronic methods failed. Officials stressed relying on official sources of information to combat misinformation and conspiracy theories that may arise during delays. Although efforts to mitigate misinformation can be made, some purveyors of election disinformation may be difficult to satisfy. The focus remains on ensuring accurate results while working to identify ways to speed up the process without compromising accuracy. Detroit’s experience with delays underscores the need for efficient election procedures and the importance of relying on trusted sources for information.
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Firewall complications caused delays in Detroit’s primary election results
