Jocelyn Benson says her department still needs $25 million from the state to get through a backlog of appointments for car registrations and license transfers caused by the pandemic.
Michigan Secretary of State
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Republicans seek campaign finance probe of Whitmer trip to Florida
The GOP wants Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to investigate whether a trip to visit the governor’s father was a legitimate campaign expense.
Posted inMichigan Government
Dems, GOP feud over fixing Michigan Secretary of State appointment backlog
Democrats want to spend $25 million to hire more staff. Republicans don’t want to fork over more money until the state allows walk-in service again.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP advances voter ID mandate: common sense or a new poll tax?
Supporters say you need an ID to buy beer so you should need one to vote. Foes say eliminating an option allowing voters without ID to still cast ballots amounts to an illegal fee. The courts may decide.
Posted inMichigan Government
Jocelyn Benson defends appointment-only plan at Secretary of State offices
Benson’s legislative testimony Tuesday followed criticism from Republicans and from some members of the public who waited months to get an advanced in-person appointment at SOS branch offices.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP eases absentee voter ID plan. Critics call proposal ‘pointless’
Republicans drop plans to require residents to mail a photocopy of their ID to apply for an absentee ballot. But they’d still have to give up some personal information to qualify.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP would allow video of vote counts. Critics call that intimidation.
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.
Posted inMichigan Government
GOP targets no-ID ballots to cut fraud. Only 0.2% voted that way in Michigan.
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.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Michigan Secretary of State changes make service more convenient
Jocelyn Benson writes that moving services largely online has improved customer service and satisfaction, but lawmakers need to work with her on more improvements.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP relaxes ballot drop box reform. Critics say plan is still unfair
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.