Balloons and signs fill the fence between Black Lives Matter Plaza and Lafayette Park near the White House on Monday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Supporters of President Donald Trump hold a demonstration to protest the election results Sunday at Beverly Gardens Park in Beverly Hills, Calif. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Trump supporters demonstrate as votes continue to be counted in a few states where the presidential race remained too close to call. Joe Biden had garnered enough Electoral College votes by Saturday to be the projected winner. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Trump departs the White House on Sunday. He had not conceded the race. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI
Palestinians walk past a newsstand displaying the front page of the Israeli Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth announcing Biden's victory. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI
People in Los Angeles celebrate the win for Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, a senator from California, on Saturday. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
People gathered near Los Angeles City Hall to celebrate the Biden-Harris win on Saturday. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
People in Los Angeles celebrate Biden's win. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
A woman wearing a Trump cowboy hat demonstrates outside the Clark County Elections Center in North Las Vegas on Saturday. Photo by James Atoa/UPI
People in Washington, D.C., celebrate Biden's win on Saturday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI.
From left to right, Doug Emhoff, Harris's husband, Harris, Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, stand onstage Saturday night in Wilmington, Del., after Biden and Harris gave their victory speeches. Pool Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI
Harris takes the stage, where she acknowledged the women whose work paved the way for her historic opportunity. She wore a white pantsuit, which is a symbol of women's solidarity. Pool Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI
Biden celebrates onstage with family members after giving his speech Saturday night. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI
People listen to Biden speak as celebrations take place in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI.
Crowds gather in Washington, D.C., to listen to Biden's speech. hoto by Ken Cedeno/UPI.
Biden said in his speech that beating the coronavirus pandemic is a top priority. Pool Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI
The Bidens greet the crowd in Wilmington, Del. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI
Harris quoted the late congressman John Lewis, an icon of the civil rights movement who died this year, in her speech: "'Democracy is not a state. It is an act.'" Photo by Pat Benic/UPI
Harris enters the stage between two screens projecting the words, "The people have chosen empathy." Pool Photo by Robert Deutsch/UPI
People celebrate the election of Biden to the U.S. presidency on Saturday in Washington, D.C. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Harris will become the first woman elected as vice president, as well as the first person who is Black and Asian American. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Biden supporters spontaneously gathered outside the White House to celebrate his win. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
A lone supporter of holds up as sign among supporters of Trump as the president plays golf at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va., on Saturday. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI
People celebrate the election of Biden to the U.S. presidency on Saturday in Washington, D.C. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
While police officers keep them apart to avoid violence, supporters and opponents of Trump face off in Los Angeles as vote counting continues on Friday. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Protesters hold up signs in Washington Square Park in New York City on Friday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
A man leaps and plays the violin in Times Square in New York City three days after Election Day as the vote was still being counted in several states. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Protesters hold up signs and flags in Washington Square Park at an event billed as a "Donald Trump Is Over Party." Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Leah Sanhi, age 3, holds a sign that says "We The People Are Greater Than Fear" near the White House on Friday, as votes continue to be counted in the national presidential election. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Mia, age 7, sits atop her father's back with a sign reading, "Trump Is Over," as they and hundreds of others hang out at Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House on Friday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
The processing of ballots continues into the evening at the Allegheny County, Pa., vote-processing warehouse in Pittsburgh on Friday. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
David Voye , division manager of the Department of Administrative Services Elections Division, updates the media on the status of the ballot count in Allegheny County on Friday. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
Rich Fitzgerald, chief executive of Allegheny County, addresses the media on Friday. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
Voting machines from the 2020 elections are stored at the Allegheny County vote processing warehouse. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
A balloon in the likeness of Trump is in the background during an "Every Vote Counts" march from McPherson Square Black Lives Matter Plaza next to Lafayette Park bordering the White House on Friday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Cameras monitor the processing of ballots at the Allegheny County warehouse. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
Biden supporters march in the streets near Black Lives Matter Plaza to the edge of Lafayette Park on Friday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
A bird flies past a jumbotron displaying "Count Every Vote" at McPherson Square near the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Local and foreign media reporters broadcast their standup shots on Black Lives Matter Plaza on the continuing presidential electoral votes as the count narrows to a close, near the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Reporters from all over the world were covering the election. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Trump makes a statement in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI
Trump's notes are seen as he makes a statement in the Brady Press Briefing Room. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI
Protesters hold up signs at a Count Every Vote rally in Washington Square in New York City on Wednesday night. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Votes were still being counted and with no declared winner on Wednesday night. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Biden's remarks are shown on a monitor in the press briefing room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Shawn Thiew/UPI
Protesters hold up signs at a Count Every Vote rally on Fifth Avenue in New York City on Wednesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Though Biden had a lead over Trump, he said Wednesday he is not prepared to declare victory until all the votes are counted. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Biden supporters celebrate the forecasting of a win in Michigan in McPherson Square near the White House on Wednesday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Biden supporters celebrate the forecasting of a win in Michigan in McPherson Square. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Empty cars are seen at Biden's election night rally site as the election results were still undecided in Wilmington, Del., on Wednesday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Biden had a slight advantage in the national popular vote but Electoral College votes were still being counted. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Cases of ballots wait to be counted at a warehouse in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
Protesters march to call attention to democracy and climate change in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Trump gestures to his guests after making a statement to the nation as his supporters look on in the East Room of the White House early Wednesday. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI
A fire breaks out in Times Square as Trump makes a speech from the White House in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
As of Election Day, there were no final results in the presidential race. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Democratic nominee Joe Biden (L) and wife Jill Biden greet supporters at a parking lot in Wilmington, Del. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Biden expressed optimism and said it will take time to count the votes in critical battleground states. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
A supporter watches form a sunroof of a car during Biden's election night rally. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Voters cast their ballots at a drive-through voting center at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Tuesday. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
With up to 22 million ballots to count, California election officials will take weeks to get a final count. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Staff board up the Sofitel Hotel as customers watch results on CNN a few blocks away from the White House on election night in Washington, D.C. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Protesters gather in Black Lives Matter Plaza a block away from the White House and watch election results. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
A projection is seen on St. John's Church at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington D.C. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., talks to reporters about Election Day results in races for the House of Representatives, at Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. Pool Photo by J. Scott Applewhite/UPI
On Election Day, supporters and protestors of President Donald Trump gather amid COVID-19 and a polarized political environment. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI
Patrons of Harry's Restaurant watch election results in an outdoor seating area in Washington D.C. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI
A man watches election coverage at Harry's Restaurant. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI
Washington D.C. residents casts their votes at the Marie Reed Elementary School minutes before polls closed. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI
People watch as election results come in at Times Square in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Watch party goers gather at McPherson Square near the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
A Washington D.C. resident casts his vote at the Columbia Heights Educational Campus an hour before polls close. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI
Watch party goers gather at McPherson Square near the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Ryan Thomas reacts while watching CNN election results at McPherson Square near the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
People watch a jumbotron at a watch party in McPherson Square near the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
A porcelain "Make America Great Again" hat made by artist Connor Czora is seen shattered on the ground at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI
Two women pray on the ground at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI
Medina, Ohio residents cast their votes on election day. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
Ohio residents cast their votes while wearing masks. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
A security guard checks the temperature of a voter as she enters the building on election day at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
An Ohio voter gives his information to a worker through a plastic barrier prior to casting his votes at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
Florida residents line up at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens for COVID-19 test on Election Day. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI
Ohio residents cast their votes on election day in Medina, Ohio. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
Poll worker Heather Huewe wears a VOTE mask holding a "I Voted Today" sticker as she works at the Old Bonhomme School in Olivette, Mo. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Campaign workers layout social-distancing circles as they setup for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's election night rally, in Wilmington, Del. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Vehicles are parked for Biden's election night rally. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Campaign workers unpack cones for Biden's election night rally. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez thanks her campaign team outside of her Bronx office in New York City on Election Day. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Protesters gather in Black Lives Matter Plaza a block away from the White House in Washington, D.C. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
A voter turns in his ballot at a drop off in the Civic Center of San Francisco. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
A voter turns in his ballot at a drop off in the Civic Center of San Francisco. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
Nikara Paniagua, of Lawrenceville, Ga., drops her ballot in a dropbox at Shorty Howell Park. Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI
A Georgia voter wears an American flag mask while voting at at Shorty Howell Park in Lawrenceville, Ga. Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI
A Florida resident waits to deposit his voting ticket at the Miami Fire Station 2 in Miami. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI
Florida residents stand in the voting booths at the Miami Fire Station 2 in Miami. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI
An eagle logo frames a Carroll County, Md., resident voting at Francis Scott Key High School in Union Bridge. Photo by David Tulis/UPI
Carroll County voting slowed in the early afternoon. Photo by David Tulis/UPI
Campaign workers applaud as President Donald Trump visits the Republican National Committee Annex in Arlington, Va. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI
Trump speaks at the RNC Annex. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI
Poll worker Khadijah Theus checks a voter's identification at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville, Ga. Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI
Voter access cards are sanitized at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI
Turnout is light in the morning at the fairgrounds. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many voters cast their ballots by mail this election. Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI
Poll workers assist Georgia residents in checking in to vote. Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI
A Georgia resident casts a vote. Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI
Voting stations are set and ready for Florida voters at the West Boynton Beach Library in Boynton Beach, Fla.. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI
Social distancing is in effect in voting lines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI
Residents line up to vote at the Gettysburg Fire Station in Gettysburg, Pa. Photo by David Tulis/UPI
A woman identifying herself as a Trump Victory Volunteer watches voters outside the fire station. Photo by David Tulis/UPI
A Gettysburg polling manager greets voters at the Gettysburg Fire Station polling place. Photo by David Tulis /UPI
Frederick County, Md., residents wait in line to vote at the Urbana library in Frederick, Md., near Washington, D.C. Photo by David Tulis/UPI
Poll workers at the Frederick polling station said 66 people were in line when polls opened and expected a large turnout. Photo by David Tulis/UPI
Voters cast their ballots at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, one of 768 in-person voting centers opened throughout Los Angeles County. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
In-person voting started for most California counties last weekend as local elections officials opened polling places early to avoid crowds on Election Day. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Voters place their ballots in an official ballot drop-box in Washington, D.C., on Monday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Voters place their ballots in an official ballot drop-box in Washington, D.C., on Monday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Government officials in Michigan voted 3-0 Monday afternoon to certify the results of the 2020 election in the state, which President-elect Joe Biden won by about 150,000 votes.
Michigan's State Board of Canvassers certified the results of the state's 83 counties, which had all previously certified their results.
The board, consisting of two Democrats and two Republicans voted unanimously, with one Republican abstaining.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will now notify the U.S. secretary of state of the state electors aligning with the state's popular vote for Joe Biden. The electors will cast Michigan's 16 votes in the Electoral College next month in the state capital Lansing.
The board heard public comments for several hours from more than 500 people who signed up on Monday.
State lawmaker Mari Manoogian told the panel, "we know the eyes of the world are on the state of Michigan this afternoon."
Ingram County Clerk Barb Byrum said the board had a duty to stand up for the 5.1 million voters who cast ballots in Michigan.
"Doing anything other than certifying the election would be tantamount to the wholesale disenfranchisement of millions of voters across the state," Byrum said.
During the hearing, former board members Christopher Thomas and Jeff Timmers told the board Monday they did not have an option by law not to certify if county canvasses were certified without controversy.
Charles Spies, attorney for failed two-time U.S. Senate candidate John James (R), argued that the board could adjourn to wait for legal challenges and audits for irregularities to be resolved before certifying.
But the board's Vice Chairman Aaron Van Langevelde, a Republican, said the law did not allow the board to investigate anything or delay certifying the vote.
"Our duty is very simple and it's a duty," Van Langevelde said. "The law basically says we have a legal duty -- a clear legal duty to canvas returns ... We can't create out of thin air an adjournment. We don't have that authority to delay the certification."
Van Langevelde voted to certify the results with fellow Republican Norm Shinkle abstaining.
Patrick Colbeck, former Republican member of the Michigan State Senate, told the panel that he had questions about the "chain of custody" of voting results running through Dominion Voting Systems software. Colbeck made these allegations in an affidavit submitted by President Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani alleging election irregularities. That case was thrown out of court by a Wayne County judge after allegations were rebutted by Detroit public officials. A Michigan Court of Appeals denied an appeal.
Last week, Republicans responsible for certifying the votes in Wayne County, which includes Detroit, caused controversy when they initially voted to block certification. Election officials believe there are a small number of ballot irregularities for issues such as sending in an absentee voting envelope without the ballot inside.
Monica Palmer, a Republican canvass board member in Wayne County, told the state board Monday that she agreed to certify the vote totals only if an audit of Wayne County took place, but then realized that an audit would happen after certification.
"In the heat of the moment I should have realized that the law does not allow for that audit to happen before your certification," Palmer said, adding that she had received threats to her family. She also received a phone call from President Donald Trump, which she did not mention during Monday's hearing.
Republican state lawmakers visited President Donald Trump at the White House last week, but they departed acknowledging Biden's win and saying Trump provided no evidence of voter fraud in Michigan.