DETROIT (AP) — The state will work with Detroit election officials to ensure that problems encountered during the recent primary are not repeated to catastrophic effect during the Nov. 3 general election, the city clerk and secretary of state announced Wednesday.

The number of counted absentee ballots in the August primary didn’t match the tally recorded in poll books in more than 70% of precincts. City Clerk Janice Winfrey, who oversees elections in Detroit, said that discrepancy could be attributed to a number of factors including: a record number of mail-in ballots; new and inexperienced workers; and training that was delayed due to the stay-at-home order imposed in March because of the coronavirus.

After the primary, Michigan’s canvassing board, which certifies statewide elections, asked the Secretary of State’s office to take control of Detroit’s elections in November.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a statement that her office would work with Winfrey to “ensure she has all the support she needs as her team prepares for the culmination of one of the most challenging election cycles in modern history.”

Detroit received about 79,900 mail-in ballots for the primary, in which total voter turnout was less than half of what’s expected in November. Absentee voting is being encouraged by many states. President Donald Trump has claimed — without proof — that it could lead to massive fraud, even though he himself votes by mail.

Winfrey and Benson said at least 6,000 election workers will be recruited and trained to staff Detroit polling location.