As the midterm elections approach, Michigan is poised to be a critical battleground in the national political landscape. Attorney General Dana Nessel anticipates that the state will be pivotal in efforts to contest Democratic victories, with the balance of power in Congress potentially hinging on its outcomes.
In a recent discussion on safeguarding election integrity, Nessel joined California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to address the challenges facing the upcoming elections. One notable absence from their preparations was the federal agencies, which Nessel highlighted as unusual given past collaborations.
To ensure smooth operations on Election Day, Nessel has arranged for local clerks to reach out to her office’s special agents and the Michigan State Police for immediate assistance if issues arise at polling stations. Additionally, legal teams will be on standby to handle any necessary litigation swiftly.
“They’ll be all across the state ready to file something,” explained Nessel. “We have briefs that we’ve prepared for virtually every set of circumstances we could think of, except the zombie apocalypse.”
Concerns have also been raised about federal election monitors in Michigan’s cities like Detroit and Lansing during the primaries. Nessel speculates that their presence could be linked to preparations for future legal challenges.
The greatest threat, according to Nessel, is not the security of elections but the spread of misinformation and disinformation, which has intensified due to unfounded allegations of widespread voter fraud. Nessel noted that some individuals have attempted to test the system by voting multiple times or encouraging ineligible voters to participate.
Despite these attempts, Nessel contends that the system’s ability to catch such cases is evidence of its efficacy. “I mean, yeah, technically you could say, ‘I went to CVS just to see if I could steal some NyQuil, see what would happen,'” Nessel remarked. “Well, yeah, you can try that, but then you’re going to get caught. You’re going to get prosecuted. So, congratulations.”
Michigan’s decentralized election framework, involving over 1,600 local clerks, presents a formidable barrier to coordinated election interference, such as those claims made by former President Donald Trump in 2020. “You elected that person, or you elected the board who chose that person,” Nessel said. “You know her. She lives down the street from you. She’s not trying to undermine the election.”
Nessel expressed hope that federal agents will act within the bounds of the law and consider the repercussions of any illegal actions, especially actions prompted by political pressure. She noted, “Do I think that the feds are actually going to violate court orders on behalf of a lame duck president? I hope not,” urging them to be mindful of potential future legal consequences.
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