Section 168.616a - Canvass of returns; certification of results; release of ballots, ballot boxes, voting machines, and equipment(1) The board of state canvassers shall canvass the returns received from the boards of county canvassers and certify the statewide and congressional district results of the presidential primary election to the secretary of state.(2) The secretary of state shall certify the statewide and congressional district results of the presidential primary election to the chairperson of the state central committee of each participating political party.(3) Notwithstanding sections 831 and 847 or an administrative rule promulgated pursuant to section 794c, after the canvass by the board of state canvassers under subsection (1), the secretary of state may authorize the immediate release of all ballots, ballot boxes, voting machines, and equipment used in each precinct of a city that conducts a city election in the first week of April if both of the following requirements are met: (a) The county clerk certifies that no defect in or mechanical malfunction of a voting machine, voting device, ballot, or other election equipment or material was discovered or alleged before the date of the completion of the state canvass.(b) The county clerk certifies that no other election for offices or questions appeared on the same election equipment used in the precinct for the presidential primary election.Add. 1988, Act 275, Eff. 9/1/1988.