For a few surreal hours this week, the political world was riveted by a windowless conference room in Lansing, Michigan.

Good afternoon. I'd like to welcome everyone.

It was a meeting of the Michigan Board of State canvassers. They were gathered for what's normally a low-key post-election formality, certifying the state's election results.

We have a list of people ready to speak today.

But this year...

Your job is to certify the vote.

The hundreds of people were waiting on Zoom.

Your job today is not a political exercise. It's a democratic one.

To make public comments.

It seems the buck does stop with you.

Okay, just to set the stage a little more, this came days after President Trump met with Republican lawmakers from Michigan at the White House.

Soon after that, another Republican on the state's four-person canvassing board announced he would not vote to certify the results.

That alone was pretty unprecedented since the board is basically required by law to certify.

Hey, is there any further discussion?

And so, in that windowless conference room in Lansing, if a second board member also voted not to certify, experts feared the deadlock would trigger a series of long legal fights.

If there is no further discussion on the motion...

Finally, after hours of public comment, it was time to vote.

Chair Bradshaw, vice-chairman Langvold, Ms. Matissevack, Mr. Schimpel.

Madam Chair, you have three aye votes.

The motion is sent in.

Three votes to certify. One, abstention.

The motion does move.

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