Michigan Secretary of State to House Republicans After Contempt Vote: “See You in Court”

Michigan faced a severe intensification of political tensions when the Michigan House of Representatives took a significantly provocative action. Jocelyn Benson, being the frontline official to protest, could not find a better way than that of the House Republicans, who voted to put her in contempt. They were not surprised when she told them that the next stop was a court.

Republican-directed demand for the electoral documentation of a free and fair election was the origin of the conflict, and the Republicans did not want the redacted documents when Benson rejected them. She was original in her reaction and expressed her readiness to cooperate provided that the mediator was a neutral party. The State Department questioned the nature and the as yet unseen use of the information requested. They were concerned about their security from the time the information was requested.

Even after the compromise was suggested, the House Republicans still wanted to proceed and therefore, Resolution 117 was discussed by Jay DeBoyer and Ann Bollin who are both Republican House of Representatives members. These two individuals, the delegates of the Republican Party, made the decision that Benson should be held in contempt, and the proposal was heard when they had just concluded a press conference.

Later that day, Benson, through the press conference she conducted, forcefully talked back. She reminded everyone that she is not only legally, but also ethically responsible for taking care of the sorted-out election data which is of a sensitive nature–that also apart from it being made public without any necessary rechecks. The Secretary also pointed out that the Republicans were not working ethically but were rather engaged in a power struggle, which could bring down the electoral system of Michigan.

Expressing more than we feel is necessary, Jocelyn Benson enters the journalists’ scene again in her talk. The comments made by Benson were characterized by a heated demeanor. According to Benson, the politicians in the House created a hotbed of not responsible governance, and they were aware of it. Especially concerning the high cost of living and raising children and in respect of daily necessities, the (then) main political party was found to be ineffective.

Benson expressed his concern about the power of Rep. DeBoyer, saying that the dissemination of unfiltered election data could result in potentially dangerous situations, for example, the tampering of the election systems, the impersonation of the election officials, the exposure of the chain of custody of the ballots etc.

She concentrated on House Speaker Matt Hall’s problems with the law, mainly referring to the fact that he had been part of the 2020 hearings that were the platform for the spread of groundless election fraud accusations supported by Rudy Giuliani.

Although she was a proponent of transparency in governance, Benson clearly stated that her position was not due to shying away from the public. “Oversight is not synonymous with endangering our elections,” she emphasized. “You cannot intimidate me and make me act against my duty to the people of Michigan because voting is their basic right and they trust the voting system that we have.”

The Marcus Democrats will focus on name-calling, says Curtis Hertel Jr. He claims members of the House Republicans are attempting to become a factional power and are looking for the results in other solutions for Michigan families.

“This is nothing more than election security as a probable side effect of lying,” Hertel uttered. “It’s a deflection, it’s a power grab and, in the end, it is a mockery of the entire state citizenry.”

Benson is firmly reminding her political adversaries with the impending lawsuit that election integrity is a matter for all political parties and that she is ready to fight for it.