MI judge throws out Republican's lawsuit over mail-in absentee ballots in Detroit

close

Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for November 7

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

A judge threw out a lawsuit Monday that challenged voting by absentee ballot in Detroit, saying a Republican candidate for secretary of state failed to produce any evidence of violations.

"Plaintiffs have raised a red flag of election law violations and corruption concerning Detroit's procedures for the November 8th election. This court's ruling takes down that flag," Wayne County Judge Tim Kenny wrote.

Kristina Karamo and others sued to try to force Detroit residents to vote in person or go to the city clerk's office to get an absentee ballot.

JUDGE ORDERS MI SCHOOL TO ALLOW PRO-LIFE PITCH OVER PUBLIC-ADDRESS SYSTEM ON DAY BEFORE ELECTION

They filed a lawsuit 13 days before Tuesday's election, making a variety of allegations about how Detroit reviews signatures on absentee ballots and monitors drop-off boxes. The lawsuit, among other things, also claimed the city was using "uncertified high-speed tabulators" to count votes.

Poll watchers and challengers sign at Huntington Place on November 6, 2022, in Detroit, Michigan, where election violation concerns have been dismissed by a Wayne County judge. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

"Despite plaintiffs' arguments to ‘shed light in a dark place,’ they have failed dramatically," the judge said. "Over an eight-hour evidentiary hearing, no evidence of election law violations" was revealed.

Kenny noted that Detroit elections administrator Daniel Baxter and former Michigan elections director Chris Thomas testified about how the city performs its job.

Approximately 60,000 Detroit voters had submitted an absentee ballot by last Thursday, Kenny said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"While it is easy to hurl accusations of violations of law and corruption, it is another matter to come forward and produce the evidence our Constitution and laws require," the judge said.