LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Republicans in Lansing remain focused on election integrity.
“A common-sense measure.”
State Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Martin) is supporting House Bill 4720 that guarantees new voting systems in Michigan would not include parts or equipment from foreign companies.
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“Foreign adversaries and state-controlled companies are looking for opportunities to infiltrate our country, including our election systems,” said Smit. “The federal government is already doing much of the work by maintaining a comprehensive list of companies that pose national security risks. This requirement is a common-sense measure to protect our elections from foreign influence.”
The federal level work Smit refers to includes the 2021 law that bars the use of equipment from companies with ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) keeps a list suppliers deemed security risks.
This begs the question: can the Michigan Department of State guarantee election equipment does not contain materials from companies or countries of concern? Smit said the Department of State told her “no.”
If her bill is signed into law, officials would be expected, at a minimum, to ensure those companies do not provide materials or equipment used in the production of election systems.
“Election integrity should not be controversial.”
In addition, State Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell) is backing House Bill 4765 to prevent foreign nationals from voting in Michigan elections.
“Election integrity should not be controversial,” said Woolford. “As lawmakers, we owe it to the people of Michigan to guarantee that only U.S. citizens are voting. For too long, our elections have been vulnerable to interference.”
Benson’s blunders.
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Democratic Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has sparred with state Republicans as well as the Trump Department of Justice (DOJ) over election integrity issues such as cleaning up the voter rolls, turning over election training materials, and providing lists of eligible voters.
Although Benson claims Michigan’s elections are secure and that noncitizen voting is extremely rare, her office reported in 2025 that 15 people who appear to be noncitizens cast ballots in the 2024 general election.
Benson is also the top election official in Michigan and is running for governor. Some have argued that her track record proves she should not be in charge of counting the votes in upcoming November election.
Where are the bills now?
Both bills, which passed the Republican-controlled House, now head to the Democratic-led Senate.
