Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson sent a letter to the Board of State Canvassers outlining policies and procedures of the Department of State and the Bureau of Elections to ensure a transparent and fair election process. Some have raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest due to her dual role as Secretary and candidate for governor.
The letter followed a comprehensive review of all election administration policies in partnership with the nonpartisan Election Reformers Network. Michigan’s election system is one of the most decentralized in the country, with over 1,600 county, city, and township clerks responsible for administering elections, purchasing and testing equipment, and hiring bipartisan poll workers. Under Michigan Election Law, the independent, bipartisan Board of State Canvassers has the sole authority to certify election results for statewide and federal offices, for legislative districts that cross county lines, and for most judicial offices.
The department is activating an official firewall procedure that mirrors past practice. Under this firewall, the Secretary will formally recuse herself from procedures that could affect the gubernatorial race and will delegate those responsibilities to the director of elections. This includes the following procedures, some of which are already under the purview of the Board of State Canvassers:
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- Review of candidates’ affidavits of identity
- Petition review processing and filing with the Board of State Canvassers
- Submission of recount petitions to the Board of State Canvassers
- Post-election audits
- Declaratory rulings
- Michigan Campaign Finance Act complaint processing
- Exercise of supervisory control of a local election official
