The Trump administration has taken significant legal action against Michigan’s Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson. The Justice Department recently filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, asserting that Benson is unlawfully withholding access to complete voter registration records. This comes amid ongoing scrutiny over election integrity and transparency in Michigan.
In a twist of irony, Benson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work during the controversial 2020 election. Yet many Michigan residents have observed her defiance toward state lawmakers seeking transparency, often dismissing their requests as she has maintained her voter registration practices.
The Department of Justice underscored the significance of maintaining clean voter rolls, stating, “Clean voter rolls are the foundation of free and fair elections,” according to Attorney General Pamela Bondi. Each state, she emphasized, bears the responsibility of ensuring their registration records are accurate, accessible, and secure. Failure to adhere to these standards may result in legal action from the DOJ.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon further emphasized this point, stating, “Clean voter rolls protect American citizens from voting fraud and abuse.” This statement serves to remind the public of the necessity for integrity in electoral processes. Given the persistent allegations of irregularities during Benson’s tenure, these declarations have raised alarms about the state’s voter registration practices.
In a response to the lawsuit, Secretary Benson attempted to frame the DOJ’s actions as an overreach. “It’s important for every Michigander to understand what’s at stake here,” she remarked, highlighting concerns over exposing the personal information of residents. Benson termed the demand an illegal and unconstitutional power grab, asserting her refusal to comply with the request.
However, this pushback is puzzling. The government already possesses access to citizens’ Social Security numbers. The actual intent of the DOJ appears to be investigating the influx of irregular voters connected to Benson’s administration, a claim that has surfaced repeatedly throughout her time in office.
The accusations against Benson are not new. Previous legal challenges reveal a troubling pattern of alleged election misconduct. A ruling from Democrat U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering backed Benson against a lawsuit from the Republican National Committee that claimed she failed to maintain proper voter registration records as mandated by federal law. This lawsuit argued discrepancies in Michigan’s voter registration numbers, asserting that many counties boasted registered voters exceeding the total number of adults over 18. Such statistics, the lawsuit argued, indicate systemic issues within Benson’s office, dubbing the figures impossibly high.
The situation escalated further when a panel from the Sixth Circuit unanimously upheld the dismissal of the RNC’s case against Benson’s voter rolls. This defeat marks another setback for Benson, who has faced criticism and legal challenges since taking office in 2022.
Benson’s record of transparency is also deeply questioned. Allegations persist that she ignored established laws—like her controversial directive during the pandemic which instructed election clerks to bypass signature matching for absentee ballots. Such moves resulted in a significant uptick in absentee voting, raising further concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
Additionally, her office, tasked with investigating campaign finance violations, has faced scrutiny after Benson herself was caught violating these laws. Her casual attitude in dealing with these matters reflects a troubling trend of accountability avoidance within her administration.
Recently, alarming reports emerged regarding Democrats’ plans to register approximately 1.7 million new voters under the UOCVA (Uniformed Officer and Civilian Voters Act). Many of these individuals are overseas voters whose eligibility remains questionable. Legal action by the Michigan Republican Party seeks to halt the practice of allowing unverified overseas voters to participate in elections, a tactic met with resistance from the courts, where the cases were dismissed on procedural grounds.
Further complicating matters, Benson announced a new rule permitting overseas non-military voters to cast ballots through online voting—a method viewed by many as insecure. These policy changes, expected to come into effect soon, have left many questioning the safeguards in place to protect the electoral process in Michigan.
As the 2024 election approaches, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on Michigan. The ongoing legal battles, claims of election misconduct, and calls for greater transparency regarding voter rolls highlight the critical importance of accountability in maintaining the integrity of American elections. Will federal authorities succeed in challenging Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s actions? The question lingers as voters await developments in this pivotal case.
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