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Statement from Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on JCAR decision to introduce legislation
March 22, 2022
In an eight minute meeting at which the chair refused to allow discussion, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted along party lines to adopt a resolution to introduce legislation on the proposed rules drafted by the Michigan Bureau of Elections that clarify election law and codify existing practices that support Michigan election clerks and voters. Following their action, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson released the following statement:
"As the state's chief election officer I have a responsibility and duty to ensure our voters have access to their democracy and our clerks have the support they need to run smooth and secure elections. These rules, developed carefully based on data, facts, best practices and public comment, ensure every valid vote is counted, that every citizen has access to their right to vote absentee, and that candidates have clarity on how to run for office. They codify practices that have already been in place in Michigan for years. But legislative leaders seem more interested in playing games than doing the peoples' work, and stalling these rules past the November elections is a disappointment and abdication of their role to put what's best for their constituents ahead of what's best for their party. We will continue to find ways to work across the aisle to do what's best for every voter, in the hopes they change course and work with us in good faith to promote data-driven legislation that actually supports voters, clerks and democracy."
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