Michigan’s Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, is under fire once again for actions that many believe threaten the integrity of the election system. On August 22, 2024, Benson unilaterally announced a plan to allow both military and non-military voters to cast their ballots online, a move critics argue sidesteps necessary legislative approval and undermines electoral safeguards.
This announcement comes on the heels of growing concerns over the potential for widespread voter fraud. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) revealed that it intends to collect votes from overseas Americans through its Democrats Abroad website, claiming it could garner as many as 9 million votes. However, this figure raises eyebrows since official reports show only 4.4 million U.S. citizens are living abroad, with just 2.8 million of them eligible to vote. Such a disparity begs the question: How can the DNC expect to rally so many votes when the numbers simply don’t add up?
Benson’s memo promoting online voting suggests it is meant to expedite ballot tabulation. She writes, “The new system will launch publicly on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025,” claiming it serves the needs of overseas voters. But this assertion is met with skepticism when considering historical voting regulations. Traditionally, UOCAVA voters must return their ballots by mail, ensuring a layer of security. Shifting to an online system, particularly without proper identity verification, opens the door for malfeasance.
Worryingly, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) allows voters to register online without verifying their identity or residency, unlike domestic voters who must provide identification details. This double standard raises fundamental concerns about who is eligible to vote and the integrity of the ballots cast by those who may be improperly registered.
Critics have pointed out that Benson’s approach mirrors that of other Democratic Secretaries of State, who have implemented similar online voting systems amidst claims of modernizing election processes. While proponents argue it makes voting more accessible, opponents assert it poses significant security risks that could jeopardize electoral outcomes. A letter signed by 31 election integrity experts highlighted these risks, asserting that online voting methods remain “unacceptably insecure.”
Concerns escalate with alarming revelations about voter registrations in Michigan. Reports have surfaced of individuals registered to vote at a coffee shop in Detroit, where public records indicate the location is vacant. This instance raises legitimate questions about the legitimacy of the voter registrations being conducted, leading to speculation about who exactly is voting and whether their identities have been fabricated.
Moreover, the effort to shift to online voting appears to be a calculated move by Benson, especially considering that a push for similar initiatives in the Michigan legislature failed in 2019. Undeterred by this setback, Benson’s decision to forge ahead without legislative backing has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with ongoing lawsuits challenging her authority.
After having already faced numerous legal challenges, Benson’s reputation as a controversial figure only deepens. Michigan residents are rightfully concerned. The current state of affairs raises fundamental questions about voter trust and the legitimacy of the electoral process in the state. Many residents feel they deserve assurances that their votes count and that their rights are protected.
The legal challenges against Benson extend to her handling of signature verification on absentee ballots during the 2020 election cycle. A court ruling overturned her directive to bypass signature verification, affirming the need for legal safeguards against electoral fraud. Such repeated defiance only fuels perceptions of a disregard for the rule of law.
As legal actions continue and concerns mount, the question remains: What measures are in place to ensure election integrity in Michigan? Current judicial rulings suggest the path forward is fraught with obstacles, as appeals and dismissals dominate the legal landscape. Despite challenges, the fight for transparency in the state’s voter registration process and the preservation of fair elections rages on.
Ultimately, Michigan voters are left wondering if they can trust their elections while a system allowing for questionable registrations and unverified online ballots is in place. The integrity of democracy hinges on transparency and accountability, and it’s clear that improvements are needed to restore voter confidence in Michigan’s election system.
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