Election Results Fair And Accurate, MI Patch Reader Survey Says

MICHIGAN —A majority of the 200 people who responded to Patch's non-scientific voting survey this week said they believe both state and national election results are fair and accurate, but readers had strong opinions whether they agreed or not.

The survey, which appeared in questionnaire form Thursday on Patch, is meant not to be a scientific poll but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.

A majority of the respondents said they either voted early in-person or voted absentee by mail and either mailed in their ballot or dropped it off. The overwhelming majority — 64.3 percent — dropped their ballot versus just 6.5 percent who mailed in their ballot. About 27 percent of respondents said they voted in-person on Election Day.

SEE ALSO: Patch Survey: Majority Trust The 2020 Election Results

Still, though the majority did drop off their ballots, it apparently wasn't over a lack of confidence in the system. Just over 50 percent of respondents strongly agreed that voting by mail is safe, reliable and generally free of fraud.

For those who mailed in their ballots, just 24 percent said they felt more confident about voting by mail and nearly 51 percent of respondents said their confidence level was unchanged.

"It was just as safe as in past years," one person said. "I chose to deliver it in person due to USPS issues."

"I would have to say that voting by absentee ballot this year was easier than going to the polling location and standing in line for sure," another respondent said.

One person felt voting should be in person on Election Day to eliminate any chance of potential fraud.

"All voting should be in person, on election day," the person wrote. "That way it will eliminate the chance of voter fraud. Anytime you have people handling ballots there is doubt about the count."

One person found the number of requests overwhelming.

"I think that absentee ballot requests should only be sent out by the city clerk's office and absentee ballots should only be given if requested. And no other entity should be allowed to solicit absentee ballots, as at least 7 other groups have done. I received a form stating that someone in my house was not registered to vote and could they register them. I am the only person living in my house."

"There is no way to ensure that mail in voting is completely secure," another person wrote. "I will continue to vote at the polls on election day to ensure that my vote is counted."

Another person was grateful for the option to vote by mail:

"I truly believe that voting by mail is a wonderful thing especially during flu season. It's great for the elderly, disabled, and even parents with little ones (try keeping them busy for an hour or so in line). I also truly believe that the counting is valid do to the ballot counters being from both sides. Plus I'm sure the people that are chosen are honorable people."

Take a look at some of the other results of our survey below: