Skip to main content
Snow icon
35º

Michigan SOS says GOP’s ‘ballot drop box’ claim is ‘election misinformation’

FILE - In this March 5, 2020, file photo, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks at a news conference in Lansing, Mich. Michigan's top election official said Tuesday, May, 19, 2020, that absentee ballot applications will be mailed to all 7.7 million registered voters for the August primary and November general election. Benson said the step announced as the state continues to confront the coronavirus pandemic ensures no one "has to to choose between their health and their right to vote." (AP Photo/David Eggert, File) (David Eggert, Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The Michigan Secretary of State is refuting a claim by the state’s Republicans over drop box security, labeling it as “election misinformation."

On Wednesday, the Michigan GOP released a video which allegedly shows a man walk up to and open an unlocked ballot drop box in Lansing two weeks ago. The video appears to show an envelope in the box, which the GOP release claims is a ballot, but ballot envelopes are much larger.

Recommended Videos



Michigan Department of State spokesperson Jake Rollow released a statement on behalf of the Secretary of State following the allegations.

“Ballot drop boxes have been securely locked since ballots were available. The Michigan Republican Party’s press release states that their video was shot two weeks ago (September 23), before absentee ballots were even mailed to voters, and the envelope in the video is clearly not a ballot envelope. The claim there were ‘ballots inside’ is easily disproven by their own video.

By sharing blatantly false statements in the press release, they are irresponsibly spreading misinformation likely intended to suppress voting among Michigan citizens. We have referred this matter to the Attorney General for investigation as election misinformation.”


About the Author
Ken Haddad headshot

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

Loading...

Recommended Videos