New Michigan laws tighten restrictions on election recounts, fraud allegations, raising GOP concerns

Michigan recently enacted laws that appear to crack down on voting irregularities or fraud, but state GOP lawmakers say they instead make effort to flag such problem more difficult and onerous. 

Among the measures signed into law last week by Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is one prohibiting election canvassers from investigating fraud allegations and instead requiring them to refer such concerns to a county prosecutor or the state's attorney general.

"Whether you’re an independent, Democrat or Republican, this doesn’t help you. This kind of stuff is crafted to get an outcome for the people who are not transparent," state Sen. James Runestad (R) said in June, before the measures were signed into law.