LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Democratic Secretary of State and 2026 gubernatorial candidate, Jocelyn Benson, is being called out for what Republican lawmakers are saying is a disturbing failure to secure state elections. In a statement on April 3rd, Benson admitted that at least 15 noncitizens voted illegally in Michigan’s 2024 election, including a Chinese national attending the University of Michigan.
Republican Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05), joined by every other Republican in the Michigan congressional delegation, sent a blunt letter to Benson on April 4th demanding answers.
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Let’s rewind to September, when Benson was testifying before Congress and declared, “There is no evidence that non-citizens are voting.” Fast forward a few months, and suddenly her office is quietly acknowledging multiple cases.
“Trust me, I’m from the Government” isn’t cutting it.
Republicans aren’t just mad, they’re suspicious. The lawmakers didn’t hold back in their letter, writing: “Your failure to secure Michigan’s elections continues to erode the public’s trust. Your department not only failed to prevent these noncitizens from voting, but your report casts further doubt about how many noncitizens actually voted on Election Day.”
Their frustration is fueled in part by Benson’s vocal opposition to the bipartisan SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) – legislation that would require people to prove they’re U.S. citizens before voting.
SAVE Act: Not just a clever acronym.
The SAVE Act legislation mandates that registrants provide proof of U.S. citizenship – like a REAL ID – when signing up to vote in federal elections. Benson said about the bill in a statement that it needs to be stopped and that it’s a “trick” saying that it takes a “chainsaw to our democracy.”
Benson also said the bill would “significantly affect tribal citizens, low-income earners, people in rural communities, Black Michiganders, and active-duty military members who may not have access to federal identifying documents or resources to properly obtain one.” She added that the bill would jeopardize the voting rights of more than 2.2 million women in Michigan whose married names are not the same name on their birth certificate, potentially requiring them to purchase a passport to register to vote.
Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI-04) summed up the situation on Facebook on Tuesday with a demand, saying, “It’s time for Secretary of State Benson to ensure integrity for all elections in Michigan!”
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The Republicans want more than just damage control from the secretary of state. Their letter lays out direct questions Benson needs to answer – like how these illegal ballots slipped through, how they were caught, and why she’s misrepresenting basic security measures like the SAVE Act.
With trust in elections already hanging by a thread for many voters, Republicans are demanding transparency, accountability, and reforms to prevent a repeat performance of any illegal immigrants voting in any of Michigan’s upcoming elections. The clock is ticking.
