MI GOP leaders meeting with Trump

That was a long delay before a second.

I can’t tell exactly, but I think they just decided to allow public comment before they vote.

Has that one guy removed his mask from his mouth now too?

Isn’t it pretty typical to have a motion and support, followed by discussion? How can you have discussion before there’s a motion on the floor?

I do not understand removing your mask to speak in to a microphone. People of all political stripes do this and it annoys the fuck out of me.

I think it’s instinct. People just reflexively do it, I guess.

FYI, the Langevelde guy who was arguing for extended discussion, is one of the two Republicans. One of the Republicans has committed to voting no, this Langevelde is the wildcard. However, from his remarks, it does sound like he’s committed to certifying, he just wants to make sure there’s ample time for discussion, although I could have misunderstood his intentions.

This is how I interpreted it, along with how a Michigan politics reporter interprets it: https://twitter.com/jonathanoosting/status/1330939926079221762

He said we have a duty to do this but I’m still not convinced he really means it. He could say “Hey wait, we didn’t hear enough from MAGA people? Rigged!” There’s a part of me that wonders whether or not they will vote to deadlock with the assumption that Whitmer will end up certifying it anyway.

      never mind

It kinda looks like Van Langevelde is trying to give himself some cover to certify the results as presented but who knows…

Man, that Shinkle is a real turd. He’s just looking for any justification to delay and/or vote no on this. Even though it’s clear the counties no longer have jurisdiction to do anything else. Their canvass is done. The board needs to certify under state law, and can not investigate anything. Once certified, then audits can begin, you doofus*.

*ETA: “Doofus” being Shinkle, not anyone here.

That’s what it looks like to me too. Hopefully that means he’s already decided to vote to certify.

What’s the point of voting if they have to vote a certain way?

Such a hard decision for the Republicans… Do your job in accordance with the law and the constitution or… Show fealty to a crazy wanna-be dictator. Such a tough choice for them.

The YouTube trolls are kinda funny if you get bored watching the proceedings

Their duty to certify is mandatory and ministerial under state law.

Okay, but that still doesn’t explain why a vote takes place if they don’t have a choice. What’s the point?

It’s truly extraordinary, and incredibly bad.

I’ve been watching election stuff for 35 years and the idea this would happen, and nearly a whole party would deny the result of a Presidential election, was previously just totally incomprehensible. No one would have dreamt of it.

From what I understand, it’s something like a notarization. All four are notarizing that they received counties’ results. Once a majority of the four vote yes to certify, then audits and investigations into the results can begin.

I’m happy to be corrected on this.