After 2020, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson leaves nothing to chance for this upcoming general election.
“Foreign and domestic bad actors will use violent threats, and potentially even violent actions to send a message of intimidation to all election officials, and potentially voters in an election season that is so consequential for our nation,” said Benson. “So, I’m worried about that.”
The Secretary of State’s Office is working with law enforcement to prepare for worst-case scenarios.
That’s why they’re providing additional funding for security preps in local jurisdictions.
Benson is promising consequences for anyone who tries to disrupt the voting process.
“It is not appropriate for anyone trying to do that when citizens and poll workers are doing their jobs to ensure our election process is smooth,” Benson said.
Benson also focuses on combating misinformation, which she believes will ramp up now that absentee voting is underway.
“If you genuinely look into the security of our process and the hard work these election officials are doing every day, you will only find reasons to believe in the process and its integrity and in the results, as opposed to the opposite,” Benson said. “So that’s why we want everyone to become experts in election information this year because that is our greatest tool to protect against disruptions.”
Benson advises Michigan voters to visit the Election Facts Center for answers to common questions.