Gun rights groups say Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s new ban on openly carried weapons at Election Day polling places unfairly punishes residents who want “to exercise both their 2nd Amendment right to self-protection and their fundamental right to vote.”
Michigan Secretary of State
Posted inMichigan Government
Benson defends Michigan ban on guns at polls, says state police will enforce
A lawsuit is expected this week from gun rights groups, but Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson the law is on her side. “This is an effort to protect our voters from intimidation,” she said.
Posted inMichigan Government
Jocelyn Benson bans open carry of guns at Michigan polls on Election Day
The guidance clarifies rules for the November general election, barring openly carrying guns and allowing concealed carry, except in certain locations. Gun rights advocates call the ban a partisan Democratic effort to discourage conservative voters and vow to sue.
Posted inMichigan Government
Signature fight expected over Michigan petition drive to limit Whitmer powers
The Unlock Michigan group seeking to repeal Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency powers has collected enough signatures to advance its initiative to the Republican-led Legislature for likely enactment. But they may not be counted until next year, setting up a fight.
Posted inMichigan Government
Jocelyn Benson to aid Detroit clerk after problems plagued primary election
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office will help Detroit train workers and expand satellite clerk’s offices to reduce election issues. Nearly three-quarters of the city’s absentee precincts were ineligible for recounts.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan judge upholds Jocelyn Benson’s absentee ballot application mailings
An appeals judge rules that Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson was within her rights on a controversial decision to send out 7.7 million absentee ballot applications earlier this year.
Posted inMichigan Government
President Trump worries about voter fraud. Here’s the reality in Michigan.
As Trump questions mail-in voting, records show Michigan has 225,000 more registered voters than voting-age residents. That is no proof of fraud, which experts say is rare, but some clerks say Michigan’s rolls need to be cleaned to increase confidence in elections.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP lawmakers claim Jocelyn Benson’s absentee ballot mailings illegal
Former Secretary of State Ruth Johnson brings local clerks to Lansing who claim her successor is ‘throwing spaghetti at the wall’ with experiments during an election year. Democrats denounce the hearing as political theater and nonsense.
Posted inMichigan Government
Lawsuit: Jocelyn Benson allowing ‘suspiciously high’ voter registration rates
A conservative activist sues Michigan’s top elections officials, alleging that 16 of the state’s 83 counties have registration rates of more than 90 percent of eligible voters. A state spokesperson calls the suit a publicity stunt.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump threatens Michigan funding over Benson absentee application plan
The president said he’d “hold up funding” for the state as it faces a $6.2 billion budget shortfall due to the coronavirus pandemic.