Michigan board certifies Nov. 3 election, cementing Biden victory

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan board in charge of certifying election results cast a pivotal vote Monday to validate the state’s tallies, cementing Democratic President-elect Joe Biden’s victory despite unproven claims of fraud levied by Republican President Donald Trump.

The Board of State Canvassers voted 3-0 to certify the results after taking about three hours of public comment. Republican board member Aaron Van Langevelde crossed over to join the two Democratic board members in supporting certification, which is traditionally viewed as an administrative step but had drawn the spotlight as Trump’s campaign questioned the integrity of the election.

The other Republican on the panel, Norm Shinkle, abstained, meaning Van Langevelde’s vote was decisive.

“We have a clear legal duty to certify the results of the election, as shown by the returns that were given to us,” Van Langevelde said. “We cannot and should not go beyond that. As John Adams once said, ‘We are a government of laws, not men.’

“This board needs to adhere to that principle and do its part to uphold the rule of law here today. This board must uphold the law and comply with our legal duty to certify this election.”

Shinkle called for the Republican-led Legislature to conduct an in-depth review of election procedures . He also cited Wayne County, where two GOP canvassers said they regretted their votes to certify the county results because of out-of-balance absentee ballot counting boards in Detroit.

“I do not plan on voting for certification. I believe Wayne County’s certification needs to be looked at,” Shinkle said before abstaining.

Van Langevelde, an attorney who works for Michigan House Republicans, and Shinkle, a longtime GOP political activist, personified the diverging approaches of members of their party to the election results. Van Langevelde contended that the law necessitated certification of Biden’s victory, while Shinkle continued to question the entire process.

Ben Halle, spokesman for Biden’s presidential campaign in Michigan, touted the board’s decision, saying it was a “recognition of the plain facts” that the former vice president won the state by more than 154,000 votes.