DETROIT, MI -- A group of voting advocates is calling for an investigation into hundreds of missing absentee ballots in Auburn Hills and Roseville.

The Michigan Election Coalition sent letters to state and local police agencies requesting a criminal investigation.

"Voting is the cornerstone of American democracy, and it is a crime to interfere with a voter's ability to vote," said the group's Executive Director Jocelyn Benson. "That's why we're calling on local and state officials to launch a criminal investigation to get to the bottom of this matter. Hopefully there is a legitimate explanation, but citizens deserve answers."

that more than 800 absentee ballots mailed in early October never made it to voters.

Roseville Clerk Rich Steenland this week also reported an abnormally high number of calls from voters who had not received ballots and

that at least 100 of 3,500 sent in a bulk mailing Oct. 9 are confirmed missing.

The clerks advise any absentee voters who have yet to receive their ballots to contact their clerk's office.

Follow Khalil AlHajal on Twitter @DetroitKhalil or on Facebook at Khalil MLive. He can be reached at kalhajal@mlive.com or 313-643-0527.