The Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, finds herself in significant trouble over her recent move to implement new rules that obstruct the usage of an essential election integrity tool, Check My Vote. This online platform has proven effective in giving citizens insight into voter registration and voting activity in Michigan, Tennessee, and Ohio. Born out of the efforts of Phani Mantravadi and Tim Vetter, Check My Vote allows users to easily check voter activity by address—a capability vital for ensuring election transparency.
During a recent public hearing, the Michigan Secretary of State and the Bureau of Elections presented 12 new administrative rules—rules that many believe are designed to weaken voter integrity. Critics argue that these changes are being advanced without the crucial oversight of the state legislature, as required by the state Constitution. The hearing saw an overwhelming show of dissent from the public, which included clerks and election integrity advocates. Notably, not a single citizen voiced support for Benson’s proposals, raising immediate concerns about the intent behind these rules.
The rules proposed by Secretary Benson have come under intense scrutiny for several reasons. For one, they seek to discredit valuable tools like Check My Vote, Ancestry.com, and Findagrave.com by labeling them as “unreliable sources” for updating voter rolls. This creates an unnecessary barrier for citizens trying to verify the accuracy of these rolls, particularly regarding deceased individuals. The reliance on these external sources has historically helped rectify issues in voter registrations—issues that have plagued Michigan for years.
Another alarming aspect is the push towards a more complicated application process for challenging voter registrations. The introduction of onerous requirements like notarized affidavits for each challenge will not only slow down the process but may also discourage valid challenges altogether. Additionally, the extension of voting rights for overseas voters to non-military individuals without proper legislative approval has raised red flags. Critics note that this could open the door for fraud, given the difficulty of verifying the identities of those voting from abroad.
At the hearing, voices of concern highlighted the implications of such changes. Among those speaking out was Bryana Vitale, Chief Aid for the Michigan House’s Election Integrity Chair, who echoed the fears of many that Benson’s rules would merely facilitate election fraud. Former Senator Patrick Colbeck and other election integrity experts joined her in warning against the dangers associated with these proposals, which they claim would make elections less secure.
The fallout from this issue has prompted discussions around accountability in the Secretary of State’s office. Many are calling for steps to ensure impartiality, especially with Benson seeking higher office. A recent proposal from Michigan State Representative Jennifer Wortz would require the Secretary of State to resign upon declaring candidacy for another office. Wortz firmly stated, “The person overseeing our elections shouldn’t also be able to have their name on the top of the ballot.” Her remarks underscore a growing sentiment that the current leadership undermines election integrity.
The potential consequences of these new regulations extend far beyond the immediate election cycle. Check My Vote has played a pivotal role in uncovering instances of dead voters still registered to vote. Their investigations have exposed problematic address registrations, including a case where multiple ballots were traced back to nonexistent addresses. With the upcoming regulations threatening to curtail the functionality of such tools, there is legitimate concern that further complications could shield fraudulent activities within the voter rolls.
As the investigation by Check My Vote continues, uncovered issues are likely to compound. Their work has illustrated the importance of transparency in voter registration processes, which has become increasingly obscured under Benson’s rule changes. The removal of significant data from the Qualified Voter Files (QVF) has diminished the ability of citizen-led organizations to independently verify the integrity of elections.
The forthcoming sessions before the Michigan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), which oversees administrative rule changes, could prove critical. With a committee comprised largely of Democratic members, the likelihood of these rules passing without appropriate scrutiny raises alarms. The dynamics of power in this committee may prevent urgent challenges to Benson’s proposals, leaving citizens with little recourse against potential election vulnerabilities.
In light of these developments, many feel it’s essential for citizens to remain proactive in voicing their concerns regarding the integrity of elections in Michigan. As reckoning over these proposed rules continues, the necessity for transparent and fair electoral practices cannot be overstated. Without public participation and vigilance, the very foundation of Michigan’s election system could be compromised, raising questions about the integrity of future elections under leadership perceived as prioritizing political ambition over electoral fairness.
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