In a small Upper Peninsula township, two election officials face removal from their positions due to controversial vote counting plans ahead of Tuesday's presidential election.
According to Reuters, Michigan Bureau of Elections Director Jonathan Brater has ordered Rock River Township's clerk Tom Schierkolk and deputy clerk David LaMere to step back from administering the upcoming vote. The directive came through an official letter dated Oct. 28.
The controversy stems from the officials' declared intention to manually count ballots after machine tabulation, a procedure that state authorities maintain violates Michigan election law. This development occurs amid heightened tensions surrounding election integrity in battleground states.
The conflict emerged when Schierkolk expressed his plan to conduct a hand count of machine-tabulated ballots instead of following standard procedures for the county canvass. This decision prompted swift action from state election officials.
Brater's letter addressed the serious nature of the proposed counting method. The state election director emphasized the legal implications of such actions.
In his letter, Brater stated that these actions would violate the law, disrupt the integrity of the election process, compromise the county's vote canvassing, and risk candidates' ability to request a recount. He also noted that LaMere planned to support this unlawful initiative.
Rock River Township, home to approximately 1,200 residents, sits in Alger County, where former President Donald Trump secured 59% of votes in 2020. The township's political landscape reflects broader election administration challenges.
Schierkolk, who serves as a local pastor, holds distinct views about election authority. According to Town Supervisor Teri Grout, he advocates for an originalist interpretation of the U.S. Constitution that questions county, state, and federal oversight of elections.
In response to the state's concerns, Schierkolk defended his position in an Oct. 25 letter to Brater, asserting his right to verify election accuracy as he deemed appropriate. Neither he nor LaMere have provided additional comments on the matter.
Following the removal of both officials, the township has appointed an experienced replacement. Wilma Hill, Rock River's Deputy Treasurer and former clerk, will oversee the Nov. 5 election proceedings.
The state's intervention includes clear warnings about compliance. Brater's communication explicitly stated that failing to follow state directives constitutes a criminal misdemeanor offense. This transition occurs as election officials across Michigan and other contested states prepare for what polls suggest will be a close race between Trump and Vice President Harris.
The situation in Rock River Township reflects ongoing concerns about election administration in crucial swing states. This incident demonstrates Michigan's commitment to maintaining standardized election procedures across all jurisdictions.
The removal of local officials over ballot counting disputes highlights the tension between state election laws and individual interpretations of election administration authority. As Tuesday's presidential election approaches, this case underscores the state's determination to enforce uniform voting procedures and maintain election integrity standards.
