Turning 18 and want to vote? 1,000 Michigan high schoolers have already registered.
More than 1,000 high school students have registered to vote ahead of the 2022 elections, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced Wednesday, as the students take advantage of a state law that allows registration in the year someone turns 18. The registrations are part of Benson’s MI Vote Matters initiative challenging Michigan high schoolers this spring semester to learn about their right to vote and register. The first opportunity for these new Michigan voters to cast ballots will be the Aug. 2 primary election. You can check your registration status and find other helpful information about elections online at the Michigan Voter Information Center website. Through Benson’s MI Vote Matters initiative, newly registered students can have their registration counted toward their school’s participation numbers.
mlive.comElection policy changes needed ahead of 2022 primaries, Secretary of State Benson says
Ahead of the 2022 primary and general elections taking place this fall, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson outlined changes she believes will meet the needs of voters while confronting escalating challenges associated with elections. At a Tuesday, May 17, press conference, Benson called on the state legislature to implement these four policies to conduct the upcoming elections in a safe, secure and accurate manner. Oftentimes, Benson said, voters have to wait up to 24 hours after the polls close to get them. She asked the state legislature to support election officials with laws that would require stiffer penalties for those who threaten and harass the election workers. Related: Two men charged for threatening Michigan Democrats over presidential election resultsThe last policy change surrounds protecting the rights of U.S. voters overseas, particularly military personnel.
mlive.comSee the award recipients, honorees of MLive’s 2022 Women Summit
LANSING, MI – The ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Lansing West was filled with excitement as 13 Michigan women who have gone above and beyond to make their communities a better place were honored at the MLive 2022 Women’s Summit on Monday, May 16. The summit kicked off the morning with Mentoring Monday at 8 a.m., then attendees gathered in the afternoon at the Women Who Shape the State program from noon to 2 p.m. This consisted of a luncheon and award ceremony where hundreds of Michigan women came together to celebrate and connect with one another. The program featured keynote speakers, spoken work poet Mama Sol and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who addressed the challenges many women are currently facing in the state. The final 2022 class of Women Who Shape the State consisted of Michigan women who are entrepreneurs, activists and leaders in their local communities.
mlive.comState Police expand investigation into alleged voting machine tampering after 2020 election
Michigan State Police has expanded an ongoing investigation into whether a third party gained unauthorized access to voting equipment data after the 2020 election. Michigan State Police spokesperson Lt. Derrick Carroll confirmed that the state is still investigating the initial report from Roscommon County. Carroll said the investigation has nothing to do with the results of the November 2020 election. The state is investigating whether a third party had access to election data after the presidential election took place, he said. Irving Township Supervisor Jamie Knight confirmed that state police seized the township’s voting tabulator pursuant to a search warrant on April 29.
mlive.comCelebrate the women who shape Michigan at the 2022 Women’s Summit
Women can connect with mentors, learn from each other and celebrate Michigan trailblazers at the 2022 Women’s Summit presented by Consumers Energy. The program will also honor 13 Michigan women who have gone above and beyond to make their communities a better place. The 2022 class of Women Who Shape the State will be revealed at an awards ceremony and luncheon. To register for the 2022 MLive Women’s Summit, visit events.mlive.com/womenssummit. More on MLive:Michigan SOS Jocelyn Benson, spoken word poet Mama Sol headlining 2022 Women’s SummitRegistration, nominations open for 2022 Women’s SummitMentoring Monday lets women from across Michigan connect, support one another
mlive.comMichigan SOS Jocelyn Benson, spoken word poet Mama Sol headlining 2022 Women’s Summit
Women can connect, learn from each other and hear from two keynote speakers at the 2022 MLive Women’s Summit presented by Consumers Energy. Additionally, Mama Sol, a spoken word poet from Detroit, will perform during the May 16 summit at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West. Then the Women Who Shape the State program will run from noon to 2 p.m. featuring Benson as the keynote speaker. The program will also honor 13 Michigan women who have gone above and beyond to make their communities a better place. To register for the 2022 MLive Women’s Summit, visit events.mlive.com/womenssummit.
mlive.comVoters should hand-deliver absentee ballots ahead of May 3 elections, Michigan SOS says
LANSING, MI — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is encouraging voters to hand-deliver their absentee ballots ahead of the May 3 election. Calls to hand-deliver absentee ballots from the Secretary of State come as there is one week left before May 3 elections in dozens of jurisdictions across Michigan. May 3 elections across the state will include races to fill four vacancies in the Michigan House of Representatives, while the rest of the elections are for millages or local-level elected positions. “As Election Day approaches, voters should drop off their absentee ballot to their local clerk’s office or secure ballot drop box,” Benson said. Voters who are already registered and would like to vote absentee can request an absentee ballot at their local clerk’s office until 4 p.m. Monday, May 2.
mlive.comState election officials say voters should hand-deliver absentee ballots in final week before May 3
Michigan's elections officials are encouraging voters to hand-deliver their absentee ballots to their local clerk’s office or ballot drop box, in the week leading up to the May 3 elections
arabamericannews.comTrump sways convention races for Michigan AG, elections jobs
Former President Donald Trump’s extraordinary effort to mold Republicans’ 2022 tickets will be put to the test this weekend in Michigan, where thousands of party activists will endorse candidates including for attorney general and secretary of state.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recognized with JFK Profile in Courage award
LANSING, MI — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has been awarded with a John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. Benson was one of five political figures who “put their careers on the line to defend democracy,” said a member of the committee who determines award recipients. The Profile in Courage Award is administered by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award was created in 1989 by members of President Kennedy’s family to honor President John F. Kennedy and to recognize and celebrate the quality of political courage that he admired most, according to the award’s website. READ MORE FROM MLIVE:Expect election conspiracies to continue without ‘real political or legal accountability,’ Michigan SOS Benson says
mlive.comMeet the Republican Secretary of State hopefuls planning to tackle voter fraud and department backlogs
This weekend, April 22-23, GOP delegates at the Michigan Republican Party Convention in Grand Rapids will choose party nominees for statewide offices, including Secretary of State. Those seeking the Republican nomination for secretary of state include Kristina Karamo, an Oak Park educator; state Rep. Karamo is also a member of MIGOP state committee and was on the Black leadership committee with Right to Life Michigan, an anti-abortion group. Visit here https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/tqHWk/1/)Karamo was the first candidate to form her candidate committee in March of last year. LaFave, who formed his candidate committee last October, reports raising over $19,000 for his campaign for Secretary of State.
mlive.comWhy Michigan voters don’t get to choose who will face Nessel, Benson
Michigan Republicans are itching to vote Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson out of office. But, per state law, the general public won’t get a say in which potential Republican candidates will challenge them. Ryan Berman, Matt DePerno and Tom Leonard are the three Republican candidates for AG. For example, voters will choose in August which of the 10 Republicans running for governor will face Gov. Democrats hosted their endorsement convention earlier this month, supporting Nessel and Benson.
mlive.comClerks Garrett and Darany: Get the translation done
File photoOn March 22, the Dearborn City Council unanimously passed a resolution requiring ballot translation to any language spoken by more than 10,000 residents (or 5 percent of the population, whichever criteria is met first). This was a historical step taken by the city to ensure greater voter access, which should be the goal of all of our elected officials. It also seems that he enlisted the help of Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett, not to implement the resolution, but to help stymie its execution or at least delay it for months. Garrett also claims there are renegotiations needed with the voting system vendor, even though the current contract already provides a framework for additional languages upon request. We invite Clerks Darany and Garrett to spend more time working with all stakeholders on implementing this resolution, instead of spending so much time and effort on hindering it.
arabamericannews.comOnline registration deadline approaches for May election in Michigan
Michiganders in the jurisdictions holding elections May 3 have through April 18 to register to vote online. After this deadline, eligible residents with proof of residency may still register in person at their city or township clerk’s office, through Election Day. If they visit the office in person, voters can receive and submit their absentee ballot in the same trip. A complete list of jurisdictions holding elections on May 3, including four state House districts with a general election to fill partial terms for vacant seats, is available online. Voters can register, apply to vote absentee, see their sample ballot and find their clerk’s office and drop box locations and more information at Michigan.gov/Vote.
mlive.comExpect election conspiracies to continue without ‘real political or legal accountability,’ Michigan SOS Benson says
Both are using lies about the 2020 election, which Trump lost in Michigan by thousands of votes, as a rallying point for their campaign. Related: Trump-endorsed Kristina Karamo outraising other Republican Secretary of State candidates“The threats against our democracy are truly a five alarm fire,” Benson said. Karamo has received the most contributions of any Republican candidate running for Secretary of State, raising a total of $133,054. Meanwhile, calls for bipartisan election changes local clerks say are imperative to enact before this year’s August primary and November general election have largely gone unanswered. Read more:Millions in grants head to Michigan election officials for added securityDocuments show Trump considered seizing voting machines based on discredited Antrim County conspiracy theory
mlive.comGenesee County elections supervisor on unpaid leave after ballot tampering charges
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Kathy Funk, the county’s elections supervisor, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave after having been charged with felony ballot tampering crimes earlier this month. In an email to the county Human Resources Department, Clerk-Register John Gleason said he has placed Funk on leave effective immediately and requested a “future review of this status and appropriate transitions” in the future. Funk was charged on Friday, March 11, with purposely breaking a seal on a ballot container while she worked as the Flint Township clerk following the Aug. 4, 2020, primary election. A spokeswoman for the Secretary of State’s Office said Monday that the request from the county to oversee upcoming county elections is being reviewed. Read more on MLive:Genesee County asks state to oversee local elections, demands suspension of supervisorGenesee County clerk silent as elections supervisor arraigned for ballot tampering, misconduct in officeGenesee County elections supervisor facing ballot tampering, misconduct charges
mlive.comMichigan House Democrats propose banning guns at polling places
Legislative Democrats unveiled a slew of new election policy proposals Wednesday, including keeping guns out of polling places and banning petition signature gatherers from intentionally lying to people while soliciting signatures. It’s the latest pitch by lawmakers on either side of the aisle to amend Michigan election law, an issue that’s proven especially divisive in the aftermath of the 2020 election. The proposed ban on guns initially stemmed from a directive by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who ahead of the 2020 election told all Michigan clerks the open carry of firearms within 100 feet of polling places wouldn’t be allowed. Guns are already not allowed in some buildings used as polling places, including schools and most churches. Republicans have also been attempting to overhaul the state’s election laws since introducing legislation in March.
mlive.comGenesee County asks state to oversee local elections, demands suspension of supervisor
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The county Board of Commissioners is asking Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to temporarily take over oversight of local elections and demanding that Clerk-Register John Gleason suspend an elections supervisor who’s facing felony ballot tampering charges. The resolutions approved unanimously by commissioners on Wednesday demands Gleason suspend Funk without pay by the end of Wednesday. He said the county’s Human Resources Department performed a background check before Funk was hired as elections supervisor on Dec. 15 and apparently found no problems. In November, Funk told Flint Township trustees in a letter that she was resigning her position as township clerk and had accepted the position of elections supervisor in Gleason’s office. Read more:Genesee County elections supervisor facing ballot tampering, misconduct chargesGenesee County clerk silent as elections supervisor arraigned for ballot tampering, misconduct in officeProsecutor recuses himself from Flint Township vote tampering investigationGenesee County commissioners will investigate ‘internal culture’ of Clerk’s Office
mlive.comBenson rejects GOP’s proposed changes to verifying voter signatures
Benson’s proposed election rules would codify the use of the existing online absentee ballot applications and require candidates to pay or settle any outstanding campaign finance fees. Michigan law states a voter’s signature to “agree sufficiently” with the signature already on file. Republicans also suggested limiting online request forms to only those requesting an absentee ballot application. Gretchen Whitmer has vowed to block all GOP election rules bills. READ MORE FROM MLIVE:Court invalidates Michigan rule on how to verify absentee ballot application signaturesHere are all the proposals vying to get on the ballot this year
mlive.comMichigan sues dam owner over sediment in Kalamazoo River
The state of Michigan has sued the owner and operator of a hydroelectric dam, alleging that its mismanaged drawdown of a lake to do repairs created sediment that has choked a 30-mile stretch of the Kalamazoo River, impeded recreational use and threatened public safety.
Petition circulators can lie to get you to sign proposals. Michigan lawmakers want to change that.
There is currently no law prohibiting volunteer or paid circulators from lying to or misleading the public. “It is not illegal for petition circulators to lie, or be intentionally vague or subjective, about what an initiative actually does. Another bill introduced by Sen. Adam Hollier, SB 0607, would ban paying petition circulators by the signature. Related: Unlock Michigan petition effort was ‘sleazy,’ but not illegal, AG saysThe investigation found “clear evidence of misrepresentations by petition circulators and questionable training by persons who recruited and supervised paid circulators,” but the actions didn’t rise to criminal behavior, the attorney general’s office said. READ MORE FROM MLIVE:Petition to repeal emergency powers had forged signatures, misleading language, opposition group claimsUnlock Michigan petition signatures deemed valid
mlive.comMichigan Secretary of State seeks investigation into alleged tampering of voting machines
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has asked state law enforcement officials and Attorney General Dana Nessel to investigate whether a third party gained access to voting equipment in northern Michigan. In a statement released Thursday evening, Benson said she’d requested an investigation by Nessel and Michigan State Police in response to reports that an unnamed third party was allowed to access vote tabulator components and technology in Roscommon County. Benson said she will have “no tolerance for those who seek to illegally tamper with our voting equipment,” calling unauthorized access to voting machines a security breach that could have rendered the machines unusable in future elections. According to Benson’s office, at least one unnamed third party allegedly inappropriately accessed tabulation machines and data drives used in Richfield Township and Roscommon County in central Northern Michigan, an act punishable as a felony under state law. Benson also sent a letter to Michigan’s 1,603 county, city and local clerks providing guidance on what to do in the event of an unauthorized third party improperly accessing voting equipment or attempting to do so.
mlive.comMichigan SOS requests probe of possible access to voting equipment
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has asked the state’s attorney general and state police to investigate reports her office has received that an unnamed third party was allowed to access vote tabulator components and technology in Roscommon County.
Michigan Secretary of State refunds excess campaign donation from union group
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s re-election campaign sent $10,000 back to a union PAC after learning the donation exceeded campaign finance limits. The Michigan Campaign Finance Act limits how much money candidates can accept from donors in an election cycle. Benson’s campaign finance reports show the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters PAC donated $81,500 across four gifts from 2019 to December 2021. The expense didn’t appear in the latest campaign finance filing, which only covers campaign activity up to Dec. 31, 2021. “Secretary Benson continues to be one of the strongest advocates in Michigan for campaign finance transparency and reform,” said Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for Benson’s campaign committee.
mlive.comTrump-endorsed Kristina Karamo outraising other Republican Secretary of State candidates
LANSING, MI — Oak Park resident Kristina Karamo, a Donald Trump-endorsed candidate for Michigan Secretary of State, is outraising other Republicans in the contest by a wide margin. Karamo has received the most contributions of any Republican candidate running for Secretary of State, raising a total of $133,054. Karamo, a Republican state committee member, was a poll challenger at the TCF Center in Detroit who claimed she witnessed irregularities in the processing of absentee ballots. The Republican Secretary of State candidate will be selected at the party’s convention. Whoever is selected will run against the Democratic Secretary of State candidate in the November election.
mlive.comWhitmer Has $10M For Reelection, Shifts Funds To Party
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's reelection campaign reported Monday that it raised an additional $2.5 million over two months but that it also transferred out $3.8 million it cannot spend because Republicans' longshot recall efforts failed.
detroit.cbslocal.comMichigan Secretary of State details Trump campaign efforts to overturn 2020 election in letter to Jan. 6 committee
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson sent a congressional panel and the U.S. Attorney General information suggesting the Trump campaign coordinated with Michigan Republicans to overturn the state’s 2020 election result. The department also forwarded a copy of the unofficial certificates, which were signed by Michigan Republican Party Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock and 15 other Republican electors. Benson sent the Tuesday letter to the House committee and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland with additional details of alleged coordination between the Trump campaign and Michigan Republicans. “I’m under a lot of scrutiny for that today.”Benson also highlighted the connection between Trump campaign attorney Jenna Ellis and the false elector strategy. Documents signed by the Michigan Republicans falsely claimed they cast votes inside the state Capitol, as required by law.
mlive.comMichigan Attorney General refers investigation into fake Republican electors to federal prosecutors
On the same day, Republican nominees gathered at the Michigan Republican Party headquarters in Lansing to sign the unofficial certificates falsely claiming Trump won. They were denied entry by the Michigan State Police. Trump ultimately pressured former Vice President Mike Pence to install Republican electors or reject Democratic electors from swing states Biden won in response to unproven fraud allegations. A department spokesperson said they answered questions about the 2020 election and events leading up to the U.S. Capitol riot, but declined to go into further detail. The Michigan Republican Party has not been contacted by the Jan. 6 committee as of Wednesday, according to a spokesperson.
mlive.comWhitmer calls for special election to fill state House seat representing Dearborn
Gretchen Whitmer has requested a special election to fill a vacancy in the Michigan House of Representatives. Whitmer asked Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to schedule a primary election on March 1 and a general election on May 3 for candidates seeking to replace Hammoud. “Filling these partial terms before districts change will assist election officials in an orderly redistricting process and 2022 election cycle,” Benson said in a statement. Whitmer previously called for special elections to fill three other state House seats that were vacated last year. READ MORE ON MLIVE:Whitmer sets special election dates for vacant state House seatsDetroit lawmakers to sue Michigan redistricting commission, arguing maps aren’t fair for Black residentsMichigan hasn’t elected many Black Republicans.
mlive.comMichigan Secretary of State says online services greatly reduced backlog at branch offices
DETROIT, MI -- All but one of the waiting room chairs were empty when Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson checked in on staff at a Detroit branch on Tuesday morning. “I’m the secretary of state, so you can put all your complaints to me,” Benson said. Benson is boasting a dramatic improvement in service at Secretary of State locations across Michigan months after her office experienced massive backlogs and service slowdowns this summer. The Department of State estimates 2,500 people prefer to walk into branch offices without an appointment each day. The Secretary of State, a Democrat, also highlighted disagreements with the majority-Republican Legislature that have impacted department operations.
mlive.comWhitmer sets special election dates for vacant state House seats
Special elections to fill three vacant state House seats will take place in March and May 2022, Gov. Two of the seats, the 36th and 74th districts, were vacated when former Reps. Doug Wozniak and Mark Huizenga, both Republicans, were elected to the state Senate. Related: As Republican majority shrinks, House speaker calls on Whitmer to set special elections for vacanciesIn a Tuesday letter to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Whitmer called for a special primary election on March 1, 2022, and a general election on May 3, 2022 to fill the vacancies. Wozniak and Huizenga filled state Senate seats vacated by former Sens. Related:Michigan state Rep. Andrea Schroeder dies of stomach cancerMark Huizenga wins special election for vacant 28th District Senate seatDoug Wozniak wins Republican primary in open Macomb County state Senate seat
mlive.comLawyers allied with Trump ordered to pay $175K in sanctions to Michigan, Detroit
Lawyers allied with Trump ordered to pay $175K in sanctionsBy DAVID EGGERT Associated PressLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Nine lawyers allied with former President Donald Trump were ordered Thursday to pay Detroit and Michigan a total of $175,000 in sanctions for abusing the court system with a sham lawsuit challenging the 2020 election results. “Plaintiffs’ attorneys, many of whom seek donations from the public to fund lawsuits like this one ... have the ability to pay this sanction,” Parker wrote. She previously ordered each of the lawyers to undergo 12 hours of legal education, including six hours in election law. “I undertook no act in Michigan and I had no involvement in the Michigan lawsuit filed by Sidney Powell,” he said in an email. But baseless lawsuits in Michigan and elsewhere went nowhere, and even the Trump campaign’s legal team moved to distance itself from her.
mlive.com9 Lawyers Allied With Trump Ordered To Pay Detroit, Michigan $175K In Sanctions
Nine lawyers allied with former President Donald Trump were ordered Thursday to pay Detroit and Michigan a total of $175,000 in sanctions for abusing the court system with a sham lawsuit challenging the 2020 election results.
detroit.cbslocal.comMichigan’s vintage “Water-Winter Wonderland” license plate making a comeback
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is bringing back the vintage “Water-Winter Wonderland” license plate. According to a news release from the Secretary of State’s office, the blue plate has been requested by motorists and collectors for years, and Benson noted that it is the plate the state used in 1965 when the National Voting Rights Act became law.
mlive.comMichigan officials still fighting spread of misinformation ahead of Aug. primary election
Michigan voters will soon be heading to the polls once again for the August primary election, and the secretary of state says the election is taking place as her office tries to fight the spread of misinformation.
Michigan Supreme Court denies request to extend redistricting deadline amid census delays
The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday denied a petition to grant relief to the state’s redistricting panel, who expects to adopt new congressional and legislative maps months later than allowed by the constitution.
Michigan AG to probe people making money off election claims
Michigan’s attorney general is investigating after a Republican-led state legislative committee said people are making baseless allegations about 2020 presidential election results in a northern Michigan county to raise money or publicity for their own ends.