This group listed in the Free Press does not look like a Trump group.
It’s a mystery! Certainly helps to preserve the ballots and lets the forces of fraud in MI know that this is active during the coming election for John James :)
http://www.michiganclerks.org/Resources/Forum/tabid/76/aft/1601/Default.aspx
FOIA From United Impact Group - Copies of Ballots
“Did anyone else receive a FOIA from United Impact Group, LLC requesting copies of ballots and a million other things from the 2016 Presidential Election?” from Lee Ann Clausen
http://www.michiganclerks.org/Resources/Forum/tabid/76/aft/1601/afpg/2/Default.aspx
“City of Coldwater, Branch County, received ours in today’s mail - This will also be a substantial weighted mailing when it comes time to send - so there will be some substantial shipping costs as well.” from Susan Heath
http://www.michiganclerks.org/Resources/Forum/tabid/76/aft/1601/afpg/3/Default.aspx
“So, if they didn’t pay the deposit does that mean they didn’t receive the information? Seems like a lot of work to go through for “Emily” to decide she doesn’t want the info.” from Kris Vogel
http://www.michiganclerks.org/Resources/Forum/tabid/76/aft/1601/afpg/4/Default.aspx
“The materials from BOE have a link to an AG opinion that basically says we must provide the signatures on the AV envelopes. I missed it until I confirmed with Lori.” from Chris Swope
http://www.michiganclerks.org/Resources/Forum/tabid/76/aft/1601/afpg/5/Default.aspx
“I’ve done some research...as well as I’m sure other’s have to. United Impact Group, LLC is not a registered business in the State of New York. I called the phone number, it asked to state my name then went into a voice mail, I asked for Emily to contact me...still waiting. Red Flags everywhere, especially with the AV signatures.” from Monica Nagel
http://www.michiganclerks.org/Resources/Forum/tabid/76/aft/1601/afpg/6/Default.aspx
08/23/2018 08:02 AM
Ok, I attached my cost estimate. The forum doesn’t allow excel files, so this is a pdf, but I’m willing to share excel if it’s helpful shoot me an email (XXXX@lansingmi.gov).
FOIA law says “The response shall also contain a best efforts
estimate by the public body regarding the time frame it will take the public body to comply with the law in
providing the public records to the requestor. The time frame estimate is nonbinding upon the public body,
but the public body shall provide the estimate in good faith and strive to be reasonably accurate and to provide
the public records in a manner based on this state’s public policy under section 1 and the nature of the request
in the particular instance.”
I told our FOIA coordinator that my estimate is the end of January to complete the 273 hours of work for this FOIA. That means devoting about 12 hours per week of staff time to this, which will be a struggle until after the election.
Chris Swope
001_United_Impact_Group_FOIA_cost_estimate.pdf
Renee Bullen
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08/23/2018 08:27 AM
I would be interested in getting a copy of the cost estimate.
Thank you!
Renee
Lisa Glish
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08/23/2018 08:42 AM
The City of Escanaba has also received this request.
I am adding a .pdf of the Quote worksheet that I came up, along with a .pdf of the “Actuals” worksheet that will be used when completing the FOIA. I would be happy to share the Excel file with anyone who requests it, please email me at xxxx@escanaba.org for a copy.
Thanks,
Lisa Glish
Ballots_Cast_on_11.08.16_FOIA_-_Quote.pdf
Ballots_Cast_on_11.08.16_FOIA_-_Actual_(08.23.18).
Cherilynn Mynsberge
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08/23/2018 08:54 AM
Thank you, Chris. Very helpful.
Max Engle
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08/23/2018 08:54 AM
We checked with the Post Office involved and they will except the boxes we send and store them for them.
The signature that is on the envelope should be redacted, because that could be copied and reused for fraudulent purposes. If they want to inspect them they can come to our offices and do it. We still do not have any confirmation that this LLC even exists, let alone that it is legit. Make sure that information has no SS#, DL#, or birthday. Just name and address.
My preliminary estimate of the time it will take for my 2 precincts is 50hrs, and this is just for the copying. Haven’t got a final estimate yet.
Julia Stonestreet
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08/23/2018 09:09 AM
Max Engle
Where did you get the information that you redact the signatures? Everything I have found seems to state that the signatures cannot be hidden.
Anna Soik
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08/23/2018 09:12 AM
If we copy the two-sided ballot onto a two-sided 8.5x14, does that count as 10 cents per side or 10 cents total for both sides?
Lisa Hathaway
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08/23/2018 10:00 AM
Perfectly said Phil.
Also, please remember, that although a response is due within the five or additional ten day extension, the actual records may be provided by a later date.
Lisa Hathaway
Lhathaway@gpwmi.us
Lavonna Wenzel
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08/23/2018 10:16 AM
Hi All. I hope this isn’t repetitive info, I would like to remind everyone. As most of us already know FOIA response of either granted or denied has the 15 day limit. However, “granting” is a statement. Having the actual materials ready does not fall under this rule. I was happy to learn this from our attorney. Thought Id share.
Marshelle Stibitz
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08/23/2018 11:06 AM
I am interested in any response you may receive regarding reduced copies.
Jane Cartwright
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08/23/2018 01:01 PM
I asked our City Attorney to opine on releasing the voter’s signature contained on the AV envelope. He sited the exemption contained in Section 168.509gg which includes the digitized signature of an elector. When I questioned the AG opinion linked to the Bureau newsletter, he stated that the AG opinion is not binding on municipalities.
He also brought up another point after clearly reading #6 of the request which states:
“Copies of all absentee ballot envelopes (e.g., the envelope containing the voter’s signature received by the relevant official). The copy should include a visible image of the space for the voter’s signature”; (emphasis on the word space).
His opinion is that they have not asked for the signature, they have asked for a visible image of the space. Therefore we will be redacting all signatures on the copies of envelopes.
Jane Cartwright,
Howell City Clerk
Jeremy Cady
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08/23/2018 01:09 PM
I sent an email to them today advising we would need our additional 10 days... this was the response.
MI FOIA
Thu 8/23/2018 11:48 AM
To:Jeremy R. Cady;
Cc:XXX@frlawpc.com;
Julie Martin;
Received, thank you.
Tonya Miller
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08/23/2018 01:18 PM
At least you received a response. I emailed them that we were exercising the 10 days back on Tuesday morning. I didn’t get a response.
Carol Hoffner
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08/24/2018 07:14 AM
Same here, Jeremy.
Max Engle
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08/24/2018 08:23 AM
It says the space needs to be visible not the signature, If they want to see the signature they will have to come in and review it. If we send them the signatures they can copy those electronically and use them fraudulently.
In your response tell them that they can come in and review them, and that you have redacted the signature. We don’t even know that this LLC. is a legit Organization.
Deborah Luskin
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08/24/2018 08:40 AM
Just an FYI for this conversation. I used a sample ballot from November 2016 to run through our Xerox copy machine. Our Xerox copy machine only has the ability to read up to 17 inches. The ballot is 19 inches. Even with reducing the ballot it is only reading 17 inches. We also have scanning on this copy machine and it still scans only 17 inches. I used a small desk top scanner and that worked and gave me the 19 inch ballot. I will probably scan all of the ballots in and save to cds as I do not have the ability to copy the 19 inch ballot. I am hoping this is going to comply with the request.
Sherry Powell
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08/24/2018 11:34 AM
For the AV ballot inner envelopes (jackets), we are using a sliver of a post-it note to only partially obscure the full voter signature. That way it would be much more difficult to use those signatures fraudulently. “Post-It” makes a “one line” removable tape that can cover part of the signature, but we couldn’t find it locally so we’re improvising.
Some great discussions have taken place about this topic! It’s so very helpful!
Cynthia Greenia
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08/24/2018 12:29 PM
According to our FOIA adopted fee schedule, 11 x 17 paper is considered an “over sized” document and we are to charge between $3.00 and $5.00 each for these.
If they shrink to fit the legal sized paper will that print be too small? More questions for Emily.