April 15, 2021 By Jon King / jking@whmi.com
The investigation that led to an election charge against longtime Genoa Township Clerk Polly Skolarus determined that unapproved canvas bags had been used to store excess absentee ballots used in the November election.
A single, misdemeanor charge of Election Law - Failure to Perform Duty was filed against Skolarus last month following an investigation by Michigan State Police. A Freedom of Information Act request by WHMI turned over the 30-page police report and 45 additional pages of supporting documents.
According to the report compiled by Detective Sgt. Michael Baker, multiple witnesses, including Livingston County Clerk Elizabeth Hundley, County Elections Coordinator Joe Bridgman, all four members of the Livingston County Board of Canvassers, Brighton Township Clerk Joe Riker, Green Oak Township Clerk Michael Sedlak, and Hamburg Township Deputy Clerk Mary Kuzner all stated they witnessed Skolarus an