No, Detroit Did Not Report More Votes Than People

Topline

President Donald Trump is falsely claiming the city of Detroit reported more votes than people, a new conspiracy theory among the many he’s advanced as he refuses to accept defeat in the presidential election, but the incidents Trump cites to prove vote-rigging in Michigan’s largest city are actually miniscule errors by harried poll-workers.

Key Facts

Tangent

These out-of-balance precincts briefly caused Wayne County’s four-member Board of Canvassers to deadlock when certifying the county’s results Tuesday evening. The board’s two Republicans voted no on certification because of the discrepancies, a move Trump applauded even though out-of-balance precincts have not stopped Wayne County from certifying its results in the past, but they quickly reversed course and voted yes after hours of public outcry.

Crucial Quote

“The idea that the out-of-balance precincts reflect any problem with the voting is utter nonsense,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a speech Wednesday. “It is not any indication of any kind of fraud in the voting process.”

Key Background

As Trump refuses to concede to President-elect Joe Biden, he and his allies have falsely painted Detroit and other heavily Democratic cities as hubs of voter fraud, part of some kind of shadowy nationwide vote-rigging cabal that coalesced for the sole purpose of undermining Trump. In reality, there are no credible allegations of widespread voter fraud in any state. The campaign and several conservative groups have filed lawsuits alleging voter fraud in Michigan and nearly every other swing state, but judges have tossed out many of these legal challenges due to a lack of evidence. On Friday, a state court judge in Wayne County rejected a voter fraud lawsuit from poll-watchers in Detroit because none of their evidence held up.

Big Number

146,007 votes. That’s Biden’s current lead over Trump in Michigan, according to the Associated Press. In 2016, Trump defeated Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton in Michigan by 11,612 votes.

Further Reading

GOP members reverse course, vote to certify Wayne County election results (Detroit Free Press)