(WWJ) The Wayne County Board of Canvassers has voted to certify the results of the 2020 General Election.
The 4-0 re-vote came following a few hours of blistering public comment Tuesday evening.
Earlier, board members -- two Democrats and two Republicans -- voted 2-2 along party lines, with the Democrats voting to certify the results and the Republicans voting not to.
Explaining the reason for her initial no vote, Republican Board Chair Monica Palmer cited a 71% precinct imbalance in the county — meaning the number of votes did not match up precisely with voter rolls.
Democratic Vice Chair Jonathan Kinloch noted, however, that the votes questioned by Palmer would not even come close to changing who won the presidential race, as challenger Joe Biden has a significant lead over President Donald Trump in the county.
WWJ's Jon Hewett reported Kinloch was visibly upset about the deadlock.
"This was reckless and irresponsible actions by this board," Kinloch said. "And I hope that in the future that some sense of decency and respect for the order of business for this board will return."
Palmer replied, "I respect your opinion, but I disagree."
Palmer at one point suggested certifying the vote in every city but Detroit -- an idea that was rejected by the board.
Palmer and board member William Hartmann -- who also initially voted no -- were then accused by Detroit NAACP Branch President Rev. Wendell Anthony and others during comment of racism and corruption.
After the comment period, the board reversed course, voting unanimously to certify the election results for the county while also requiring a Secretary of State audit of out-of-balance precincts.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan tweeted: "Glad to see common sense prevailed in the end. Thank you to all those citizens who spoke up so passionately -- you made the difference!"
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If the county board had failed to certify, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said the Board of State Canvassers would take up the responsibility. In similar circumstances in the past, Benson said state canvassers have appointed the Bureau of Elections to carry out the processes of canvassing the vote and voter totals.
This all comes after several lawsuits attempting to stop the certification in Wayne County have been rejected by the courts, due to a lack of evidence that anything improper occurred.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has said the state's elections were conducted "fairly and transparently" and any claims to the contrary "are wholly without merit.”