Dispute Over Election Transparency Surfaces Between Michigan GOP and Secretary of State
In a developing political clash in Michigan, Republican leaders in the state House are accusing Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson of reneging on a commitment to transparency. This accusation arises from her potential non-compliance with a subpoena issued by the GOP-led House Oversight Committee. The subpoena, sent out this week, requests comprehensive documentation related to the handling and training of election processes.
Benson, a Democrat, is challenging the breadth of the subpoena, which seeks access to sensitive materials like manuals, training videos, and online resources. These documents, according to Benson, contain critical information that could pose risks to election security. While her office has already provided some of the requested documents, Benson insists that certain items must remain confidential until thoroughly reviewed and redacted to safeguard sensitive information.
House Oversight Committee Chair, Representative Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay), expressed his frustration, stating that the Secretary of State must not decide which documents to provide. “They tell us they’re going to thumb their nose at the duly structured organization that has the right to do oversight on government,” DeBoyer remarked. “That’s not transparency. That’s called stonewalling.” These comments were made during a GOP leader’s weekly press briefing, where DeBoyer stood alongside House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township).
The committee has set a firm deadline of May 14 for Benson to supply all requested materials. However, Benson has made it clear that she intends to vet and redact the documents before any full disclosure.
In response to inquiries on Thursday, Benson’s spokesperson directed attention to a letter dated April 14, which responded to the committee’s demands. The letter asserts the importance of maintaining election security. “We are resolute in our duty to security and integrity of our collective election systems,” Benson stated. “Again, as noted in our prior responses, MDOS maintains a secure portal for election clerks which contains sensitive training materials regarding the cyber security and physical security of election systems and election machines. This limited access is critical to ensure the ongoing integrity of our election systems and thereby the integrity of our elections; therefore, read access login credentials will not be provided.”
Benson, who is campaigning for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, has signaled her readiness to contest the subpoena in court, emphasizing her commitment to protecting sensitive election information. With a looming deadline, the confrontation between the Michigan House Republicans and the Secretary of State continues to intensify.
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