LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Despite new election laws regarding recounting ballots not scheduled to be on the books in Michigan until 2025, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is trying to push through those changes so they’re in place for November.
The new rules only allow recounts when it would change the outcome of that particular race. Jonathan Brater, the director of Benson’s Bureau of Elections, is doing Benson’s bidding. Brater said his department has urged the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to bypass the 15-session-day review period so those rules could take effect sooner.
But some Michigan lawmakers are calling this an “end-run” around Michigan election law that contradicts current election laws. House Republican Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) sent a letter to Brater asking him to secure the election process.
“The people want free and fair elections that follow the law, not government officials with a grudge who make up the rules as they go,” Hall said. “Secretary Benson can’t override state law, but that’s what she’s trying to do. She wants to ram through her own rules ahead of the election. [It’s a] partisan ploy.”
Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Township) is joining the fight. She worked as a township clerk for 16 years before being elected to Michigan’s House. She wrote her own letter to Brater and said these rules burden local clerks.
“The proposed rules sidestep the existing law, forcing clerks into a position where they must choose between following current legal requirements or adhering to your new guidelines,” Bollin wrote. “This is an unfair and untenable situation, especially with a major election on the horizon. Clerks should not be placed in a position where they must second-guess the law they are sworn to follow.”
The Republican National Committee has threatened a lawsuit in eight states, including Michigan, over election safeguards.
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