Republicans want to increase confidence in elections by allowing partisans to take video and broadcast vote counting. Some fear that make it impossible to work — and could expose private information.
New records show 11,417 Michiganders voted without ID in November. Contrary to popular belief, they weren’t all in Democratic counties — and in almost all communities, no-ID ballots represented less than 1 percent of votes.
Jocelyn Benson writes that moving services largely online has improved customer service and satisfaction, but lawmakers need to work with her on more improvements.
A Republican reform would lock boxes at 5 p.m. on Election Day, rather than the day before. Clerks say that could make it hard to vote and create long lines.
Local officials in hundreds of Michigan communities installed more than 1,100 absentee ballot drop boxes last year, state data shows. Election officials say new regulations proposed by Senate Republicans threaten to limit the popular option in future elections.
A citizens group charged with taking the politics out of the redistricting process draws fire because an adviser donated to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
“I pledge to be part of a respectful dialogue going forward and challenge my colleagues and others to do the same,” Regent Ron Weiser said at a board meeting Friday. The group censured his harsh words about Democratic and GOP leaders.
A vote to censure is one of the few actions the body can take, since members are elected. Weiser’s comments have renewed debate over a longstanding culture of misogyny in state political circles.
In a speech to Oakland County activists, state Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser also announced plans for a petition drive to tighten voting laws to give the GOP an edge.
The Democratic Secretary of State and a Republican who led a fraud inquiry agree on the need for more training and other reforms, despite vastly different conclusions about the November election.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson refused an invitation to speak before a House oversight committee that hosted Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, saying it amplified “conspiracy theories.” The GOP chair said Benson’s playing “cheap political games.”
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says it could take until Friday to finalize state election results because of high turnout. Local clerks say they hope to have tallies by Wednesday morning.
Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s attempt to ban openly carried weapons at Michigan polling places on Election Day is “likely unlawful” and cannot be enforced, Court of Claims Judge Christopher Murray ruled Tuesday evening.
Gun rights groups say Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s new ban on openly carried weapons at Election Day polling places unfairly punishes residents who want “to exercise both their 2nd Amendment right to self-protection and their fundamental right to vote.”
A lawsuit is expected this week from gun rights groups, but Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson the law is on her side. “This is an effort to protect our voters from intimidation,” she said.
The guidance clarifies rules for the November general election, barring openly carrying guns and allowing concealed carry, except in certain locations. Gun rights advocates call the ban a partisan Democratic effort to discourage conservative voters and vow to sue.
The Unlock Michigan group seeking to repeal Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency powers has collected enough signatures to advance its initiative to the Republican-led Legislature for likely enactment. But they may not be counted until next year, setting up a fight.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office will help Detroit train workers and expand satellite clerk’s offices to reduce election issues. Nearly three-quarters of the city’s absentee precincts were ineligible for recounts.
An appeals judge rules that Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson was within her rights on a controversial decision to send out 7.7 million absentee ballot applications earlier this year.
