ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – A canvasser and an alternate canvasser have resigned from the Delta County Board of Canvassers.
On May 7, three Republican members of the Delta County Board of Commissioners were recalled. Republican Canvasser Bonnie Hakkola and Alternate Republican Canvasser LeeAnne Oman voted against certifying the election results. Delta County Clerk Nancy Przewrocki previously told WZMQ 19 that their decision was based on the ratio of votes, which she says is not one of the criteria for canvassers to consider. The new commissioners’ oaths of office were delayed as a result.
On May 17, the Board of Canvassers held a final vote to certify the election results. Three canvassers voted in favor of certification, with Hakkola abstaining. She did sign the certification paperwork but stated, “I am being coerced into signing the document.”
On June 13, Oman submitted a letter of resignation, effective immediately. Hakkola submitted a letter of resignation on June 14, also effective immediately. The letters were included in the packet for the June 18 County Board of Commissioners meeting, along with a notice to add a 30-day notice of appointments for the Board of Canvassers to the agenda.
Canvasser John Myers publicly called for Hakkola’s removal from the board at a May 21 County Commission meeting. He said in part, “I’m not doing it to be vindictive. I feel that she didn’t serve her oath, didn’t do her job. It caused a lot of chaos in our county… I’ve got two concerns—the primary coming up and the general election in November. I feel it would be a real problem if it happens again, especially the November election.”
At Tuesday’s County Board meeting, the commissioners received a 30-day notice of appointment. According to Przewrocki, while original appointments are made by the County Board, the Delta County Clerk makes replacement appointments. The Delta County Republican Party must nominate three candidates, and Przewrocki will appoint one candidate to fill Hakkola’s seat on August 6.
“I’m hoping we can get somebody in place quickly because that same day is election day, and we will need that Board of Canvassers to canvass the August election, so it’s a tight schedule,” Przewrocki said.
WZMQ 19 reached out to Hakkola for comment but has not received a response.
