But, that one voter has already returned his absentee ballot from Japan.

Ruth Johnson, Michigan’s Secretary of State, along with Attorney General Bill Schuette, have filed a lawsuit against townships and cities throughout Michigan that did not send out absentee ballots by the deadline set by Michigan Election Law.

Ballots were supposed to be sent out by Saturday, Sept. 22, to those overseas or in the military who requested them before the 22nd. The city of Montague had one person request an absentee ballot, but it was not sent out until Wednesday, Sept. 26. The city of Montague is the only municipality in Muskegon County that is being sued.

The lawsuit requests that the local municipalities that sent out ballots late must extend the counting deadline by the number of days the ballots were delayed. In Montague’s case, their counting deadline would have to be extended by four days.

See full story in Beacon print or e-edition