LANSING (AP) — Michigan's chief elections officer this week announced a legislative agenda she said would ensure fair and secure elections following an election season marked by a huge increase in absentee voting and unfounded accusations of widespread voter fraud.
Michigan had the highest voter turnout in state history in the 2020 presidential election with about 5.5 million votes cast. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a call with media that she's looking to keep that momentum going and make it easier to vote.
Benson described the presidential election as successful, but not without a fight.
It was the first in which Michigan voters didn't need a reason to cast absentee ballots and they did so in droves, amounting to about 3.5 million votes.
Former President Donald Trump and many of his supporters spread disinformation surrounding absentee and mail-in voting, asserting that the election was stolen and culminating in the attack on the U.S. Capitol in January.
Benson said the state will not be stopped by those in the Legislature who lead “deceitful attacks on our democracy," with unfounded
claims of widespread electoral fraud.
Benson said she would push to make absentee voting easier and allow clerks to begin processing absentee ballots two weeks before Election Day. She also wants to require that absentee ballots applications be mailed to all registered voters before every federal election.
Among the other changes Benson will push for is a prohibition on voter deception that would mislead or deter residents from voting.
Additionally, to address voter intimidation Benson is renewing a push to keep guns from the polls by seeking a ban on the open carry of firearms within 100 feet of a voting location.
Benson is also looking to mandate translated elections materials in certain non-English speaking areas, making voting sites more accessible to those with disabilities and making Election Day a state holiday She said that would get more people to work at polling locations and make it easier for voters to have time to vote.
