Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 757 on Oct. 6, 2020. The bill will help the State of Michigan ensure every vote is counted in the upcoming November election. Photo Courtesy of Michigan Governor's Office.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a press conference Tuesday, marking some of her first statements after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled against her COVID-19 orders.
"As a result of this action ... our COVID-19 cases could likely go up," Whitmer said. "There will be uncertainty, there will be disruption and possibly greater risk to our economy, to our loved ones, possibly more people quarantined and more fatalities."
Whitmer said the court held the 1945 law as unconstitutional, however, made clear that she had interpreted it incorrectly. Therefore, Whitmer did not violate the law with her executive orders.
Additionally, Whitmer said the ruling does not mean protections she put in place are gone.
"We have additional authority that I will continue to use to protect our families from the spread of this virus," Whitmer said.
Recently, precautionary measures were mandated by other authorities locally and statewide. Instructions for both included wearing face coverings and limiting gatherings, which closely mirrors Whitmer's mandates.
"I'm ready to work with the legislature but I'm never going to negotiate when it comes to doing the right thing and protecting people's health," Whitmer said.
Whitmer also urged the legislature to cancel its October recess and act soon to expand unemployment benefits.
Additionally, Whitmer signed Michigan Senate Bill 757, which "will amend Michigan election law to allow clerks in cities and townships with a population of at least 25,000 to begin processing absentee ballots prior to election day for the November 3, 2020 general election only," she said.
Clerks will be able to notify voters of reasoning if their absentee ballot would not count within 48 hours, Whitmer said.
Whitmer was originally supposed to sign Michigan Senate Bill 117, as well. However, Whitmer said Republican leaders have not sent her the bill yet.
Senate Bill 117 would allow military service members and their spouses to submit their votes electronically if they were unable to do so in person, Whitmer said.
"I'm not sure what's going on there but this is crucial for our brave folks and their families who serve in the military," Whitmer said. "Elections are no time to play partisan games. Our brave service members and their families put their lives on the line for us, and they deserve leaders who are going to help them vote."
Michiganders are encouraged to mail their ballots by Oct. 19 or to drop their ballots off to their local clerk's office, Whitmer said.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson also spoke at the press conference. She said nearly 400,000 Michiganders have already returned their absentee ballots to be counted.
Benson also encouraged Michiganders to make a voting plan.
"We are on track for record-breaking turnout in our state this fall," Benson said.
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