By Susan Bromley

Staff Writer

Brandon Twp.– The “rigging” of the presidential election, a danger suggested by some in the days leading up to Tuesday’s vote, is not anything that will happen here in the township.

Township Clerk Candee Allen explained some of the measures used to ensure a safe and successful democratic process, much of which is already well underway.

“People are afraid that everything is not right about the voting process, but there is not going to be voter fraud in Brandon Township,” said Allen. “We assure voters there are Michigan election laws we follow, and the Oakland County Election Division makes sure we are trained to do everything by the law and the book.”

As of Wednesday, the clerk’s office had received back 1,300 of 1,900 absentee ballots sent out.

“When they come in, we date stamp them and initial, so we know who took in the ballot,” said Allen, who accepts the ballots, along with four other employees in her office, all of whom are sworn in as election workers. “The ballots go into a locked, secured cupboard.”

The envelopes are all logged in and remain sealed and unopened until election day. Voters who have mailed or brought back absentee ballots to the clerk’s office have the option to change their ballot only before election day— their original ballot will be spoiled, and they will be given a new one. This must be done prior to Nov. 8, however.

On Tuesday, 74 election workers will arrive at 6 a.m. At the six polling places in the township. The polls open at 7 a.m., and employees from the county election board will arrive at the township offices at 8 a.m., where they will be sequestered in the township board room with all the absentee ballots. No one is allowed in, and if anyone comes in to the room, they will remain there until the counting is over.