Compiled Laws, Chapter 168. Michigan Election Law § 168.798a

Sec. 798a.If a separate counting center is used, all proceedings shall be under the direction of the clerk or authorized assistants.The proceedings shall be conducted under observation by the public, but no persons except those authorized shall touch a ballot or return. Persons who engage in processing and counting of the ballots shall be deputized and take an oath that they will faithfully perform their assigned duties. If a ballot is damaged or defective so that it cannot properly be counted by the electronic tabulating equipment, a true duplicate copy shall be made and substituted for the damaged or defective ballot.Each duplicate ballot shall be clearly labeled “duplicate”, and shall bear a serial number, which shall be recorded on the damaged or defective ballot.