Wayne County officials describe training, inspector guidance and tabulator response after Hamtramck primary

Lisa Cappucina briefed the board on steps Wayne County took to support Hamtramck during the August primary, including a July 22 three-hour inspector training conducted by deputy director Jennifer Redmond, July 29 chair training, guidance emails to county clerks on ballot-security measures, and reassignment of experienced inspectors to leadership roles at counting boards. Cappucina said the August primary canvas was "successful and Smooth" under Clerk Sammy Elhadi's team.

Cappucina also recounted a major tabulator malfunction during the canvas and said a representative of the state was present to assist; the discussion included a separate note that an appellate ruling requires 37 previously uncounted ballots to be tabulated, which speakers said could affect investigations into the earlier hand recount. Director Brader confirmed the bureau has limited staff resources but will continue providing assistance and will respond to information requests from a House select committee investigating the prior cycle.

Board members thanked Wayne County for assistance and asked staff to continue monitoring developments. The presentation emphasized process improvements, training and documentation rather than a final determination about prior allegations raised during recounts.