LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – While Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson applauded her efforts to fulfill a Michigan House subpoena’s request for election training documents by a Tuesday deadline, a lawmaker and former clerk called Benson’s efforts “embarrassing.”
“Protect sensitive information.”
Benson’s office said it provided 300 additional pages of documents to go with the 1,900 pages she sent over on May 2. She’s repeatedly claimed the information requested is available on the Election Transparency website and that she’ll work to “protect sensitive information.”
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“I believe in oversight and transparency and that’s precisely why our department has voluntarily complied with this request, providing thousands of pages of documents used to train and educate our local clerks,” Benson said in a statement. “However, I also have a duty to protect the security of our elections from politicians seeking information that would enable someone to interfere with the chain of custody of ballots, tamper with election equipment, or impersonate a clerk on Election Day.”
“Document dumps” fall short.
Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Martin) and the House Oversight Committee have gone back and forth with Benson’s office for months over requested materials detailing training information Benson gave clerks. A subpoena delivered to Benson last month demanded those materials, yet Smit said the two latest “document dumps” don’t come close to fulfilling the request.
“There are thousands of clerks in Michigan who have access to this information. Chair Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Township) and I had access to this information just a few years ago, yet Secretary Benson refuses to hand it over.”
“This is nothing more than a delay tactic being used by someone who seems to be petrified the public will actually find out how she’s been training our clerks,” Rep. Smit said. “The Legislature has a responsibility to review these materials to ensure our clerks are being properly trained. Any attempts to prevent that core legislative function amounts to nothing more than clear obstruction.”
Benson’s “incompetence.”
Meanwhile, Rep. DeBoyer had his own choice words for Benson, saying her “incompetence” has forced the legislature to pass changes to clean up her mess. According to DeBoyer, there are problems that stem from the electronic filing system and disclosure requirements implemented by Benson as they relate to campaign finance disclosures.
“Today’s action by the Michigan House once again highlights the astonishing incompetence of our Secretary of State,” DeBoyer said. “After burning through $9 million, she’s delivered a poor, incomplete product that she demands elected officials use to meet her absurd, made up requirements.”
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Benson is one of several Democrats running in the 2026 gubernatorial race. “I find it remarkable that someone with such a horrendous history of governing wants voters to entrust her with the highest office in state government,” DeBoyer said.
