Latest news with #MichiganDepartmentofState
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Michigan Department of State: 200K REAL IDs issued in past few months
A Secretary of State branch office in East Lansing, Michigan | Susan J. Demas The push to get Michiganders' identification cards replaced with federally-compliant REAL ID cards has resulted in 200,000 IDs issued to residents over a period of three months, the Michigan Department of State announced Friday. Department employees either issued new or upgraded REAL IDs over the past 12 weeks, bringing the state into more than 76% compliance with a new U.S. requirement for REAL ID in order to travel domestically by air. A REAL ID is a driver's license or state identification card that has been verified with proof of U.S. citizenship and proof of legal residence in the U.S. They are distinguishable by the gold star in the upper right-hand corner. Per a change in federal law, Michigan residents as of May 7 are required to present a REAL ID-complaint card when attempting to fly anywhere in the U.S. The IDs also allow entrance to certain federal facilities as allowed by federal law. Overall, the IDs have protections against copying or altering identification information. REAL IDs are different from Michigan's enhanced IDs and driver's licenses, which allow entry to and from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean by land or sea. Enhanced IDs, however, are also REAL ID compliant. A news release issued Friday said Secretary of State branch offices served more than 90% of those customers within 20 minutes of their scheduled appointment times, signaling that the transition has been relatively smooth thus far. 'The hardworking staff at our branch offices throughout the state rose to this challenge and set a new standard of exceptional public service,' Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a statement. 'I'm grateful for their dedication and commitment to excellence, which ensured a smooth process for Michiganders during a potentially disruptive transition. This is what it means to have a state government that truly works for people.' A total of 202,571 REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or state IDs were issued between February 23 and May 17. The week of May 4 was said to be the busiest this year, with 28,289 identification cards converted to REAL ID. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Battle between SOS Jocelyn Benson and Republicans over election documents escalates
Republicans in the Michigan House of Representatives passed a resolution to hold Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in contempt for withholding some election training materials requested by the House Oversight Committee, which subpoenaed Michigan's chief elections officer. Republicans accuse Benson of hiding material they have the right to review while Benson says some of the information sought by lawmakers could compromise election security. The passage of the resolution May 22 follows months of back and forth between the GOP-led Michigan House and Benson, a Democrat running to succeed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who cannot run again due to term limits. GOP lawmakers say they want to review the training materials to ensure the clerks who administer elections across Michigan receive proper guidance. Two GOP lawmakers who previously served as clerks — state Reps. Jay DeBoyer of Clay Township, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, and Ann Bollin of Brighton Township — introduced the resolution to hold Benson in contempt after the deadline to comply with the subpoenas directed at Benson and the Michigan Department of State. It passed on a party-line vote against Democratic opposition. That same day, the Department of State had prepared about half of the training material for review for potential sensitive information that might necessitate redactions, according to a May 22 letter from Heather Meingast, Division Chief for Michigan Department of Attorney's Civil Rights & Elections Division. The resolution opens the door for the House Office of Legal Counsel to initiate legal action to ensure Benson and her department comply with the subpoenas. "With how much has changed in state election law over the last few years, our legislators need to review those materials and ensure there aren't any holes or confusion in the training process," wrote state Rep. Rachelle Smit, R-Martin, in a March statement. During Benson's tenure as secretary of state, the Michigan Department of State has implemented several voter-approved election changes, including a major expansion of absentee voting and early voting. Benson said she has publicly shared thousands of pages of training materials for local election administrators. But she said she has a duty to ensure Michigan's election security. "And you cannot bully me or abuse your authority to get access to information that, if it ends up in the wrong hands, could be used to interfere with the chain of custody of ballots, tamper with election equipment or impersonate a clerk on Election Day," Benson said in a May 22 news conference. Benson slammed House Republicans for escalating the battle over the election documents. "This is government rooted in bullying and chaos — and I'm tired of it. It's not only ineffective but it is dangerous," she said during a May 22 news conference. Benson says she welcomes going to court over the matter, saying she and the department she leads have responded to the subpoenas in good faith and previously proposed having a third-party mediator from the judicial branch join a meeting with House legal counsel. "So if Chairman DeBoyer and the House Republicans want to go to court over this, we will see them in court," she said. Michigan Politics: House votes to ban trans girls from girls teams Benson's campaign has solicited donations off the fight. "Michigan Republicans are attacking Jocelyn," reads the email subject line of a May 22 message from her campaign asking supporters to "Pitch in to stand with Jocelyn as she works to protect our democracy from GOP threats." Benson has made government transparency a pillar of her campaign for governor. Republican lawmakers have argued that a bumpy rollout in 2025 of a new campaign finance system carried out by Benson's office and her response to the subpoenaed election information belie Benson's commitment to transparency. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan House GOP and SOS Benson fight over election documents
Epoch Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Michigan's Attorney General Says Secretary of State Violated Campaign Finance Act
Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel said the state's Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has been found to have violated the Campaign Finance Act, but will face no penalty due to a quirk in the statute. Both Benson and Nessel are Democrats. A May 19 The advisory stated that Benson's use of the lobby of the Richard H. Austin Building was for a partisan political purpose, in violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance The Michigan Department of State, which usually has jurisdiction over such matters, referred the complaints to the Office of the Attorney General for independent review, as required by state law. The Office of the Attorney General's May 19 notice of violation Related Stories 1/22/2025 11/7/2023 The letter stated that the policy is spelled out in the Administrative Guide to State Government and that the Department of State 'recognizes' Benson's action as a violation of Michigan law. Benson's Defense The Jocelyn Benson for Governor campaign committee said Benson's use of the lobby was not a violation. According to the attorney general's notice letter, the committee said that Benson was not acting in her professional capacity as secretary of state but was there in her capacity as a candidate for governor on her own 'personal time,' expressing her own 'personal views.' The attorney general's letter stated that Benson, wearing office attire, invited reporters to a press conference inside the building that houses her professional office on a workday morning. 'She gave no indication that would lead a reasonable person viewing the press conference to believe that she was there on her 'personal time,' the letter said. According to the letter, Benson said at the press conference that she invited the media to come inside due to sub-zero temperatures and double-digit wind speeds that morning. Benson also said she believed that other candidates could use the lobby provided, and any candidate or committee has an equal opportunity to do so. The attorney general's letter stated that Benson's belief was 'misplaced' in light of the specific prohibition of partisan events inside the Austin Building imposed by the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, which operates the building. The department does allow such events to be held outdoors, according to the letter. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks during a news conference in Lansing, Mich., on March 5, 2020. David Eggert/AP Photo According to the letter, Benson's campaign committee also said that she had a right under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution to hold the press conference in the lobby and that the prohibition served no legitimate purpose because it did not interfere with government activities. The AG's office said the committee's First Amendment argument is 'unpersuasive.' 'Prohibiting candidates from conducting press conferences and other partisan political activities in a government office building' has a reasonable purpose. It prevents interference with 'entering, exiting, moving throughout, and conducting business in the building,' the letter said. No Fine Levied Nessel said in the letter that her office lacked the legal authority to penalize the secretary of state for the violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCFA). Under the MCFA, a violator could be assessed a civil fine of not more than $1,000. According to the letter, under the act, fining a violator is the statutory prerogative of the Department of State and not the Office of the Attorney General. 'The MCFA is completely silent as to how the attorney general is to resolve a complaint after determining that the secretary of state has violated the act. There is no provision allowing the attorney general to issue an order requiring a civil fine following a hearing,' the letter stated. 'Consequently, the attorney general is left with no choice but to simply identify the violation, remind the secretary of state of her obligations under MCFA, and warn her against violating them in the future.' It is unclear whether the Department of State would fine Benson based on the attorney general's findings. Neither Benson nor Nessel responded to a request for comment by publication time. Complainants Political activist Christian Charette, 22, of Livonia, Michigan, told The Epoch Times he learned of Benson's violation through media reports, documented her actions, and then filed a complaint. Charette, a public library employee, said he had been fined $175 for neglecting to print a disclaimer on a campaign-related business card. He said he was 'deeply disappointed' by the lack of penalty resulting from Nessel's investigation and is considering further legal action. He commended Nessel for at least 'acknowledging what we all knew: Benson broke the law.' 'The entirety of the American justice system relies on the notion that no one is above the law. When the notion is violated ... the people lose faith,' he said. Complainant Monica Ross-Williams told The Epoch Times that her experience as an elected public official in the Charter Township of Ypsilanti taught her about the requirements of Michigan's campaign finance laws. With that knowledge, she alleged that Benson's use of the lobby of the Austin Building created 'an unfair advantage' for herself in her bid for governor. Ross-Williams said her allegations were validated by the AG's finding and that Benson, the state's chief elections officer, must be subjected to the penalties prescribed in the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. 'All public officials should be held to account when they violate the law,' she said, adding that she plans to file a complaint against Benson with the State Board of Ethics. She said it is up to the state legislature to close the gaps in the statutes governing the assessment of penalties.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pontiac clinic planned to help drivers get their licenses back
The Brief Drivers with suspended licenses can get help to restore their driving privileges during a clinic Wednesday in Pontiac. Michigan Department of State staff and volunteer attorneys will be at the event to answer questions. Eligible drivers will also be able to take a written driving test and vision test on site. PONTIAC, Mich. (FOX 2) - Drivers with suspended licenses can receive help navigating the process of getting their licenses back during a clinic Wednesday in Pontiac. Michigan Department of State staff and volunteer attorneys will be at the UWM Sports Complex Road to Restoration clinic to provide consultations. They will be able to check drivers' current license status and answer questions. Eligible drivers will also be able to take a written driving test and vision test on site. Though this event is designed to help with getting your license back, it is not an expungement clinic. Timeline The clinic is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 21 at 867 S. Blvd. E. in Pontiac. Walk-ins will only be accepted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., space permitting. Advance registration is encouraged. Sign up here. What's next Other clinics in the Metro Detroit area are coming up: Detroit: June 24 and Sept. 25 Dearborn Heights: Oct. 15 Learn more here. The Source This information is from the Michigan Department of State.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dispute over election training materials continues as Benson releases additional documents
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie in Detroit, Feb. 26, 2024 | Ken Coleman While the Michigan Department of State released another round of documents used to train election workers Tuesday, aiming to fulfill a request from the House Oversight Committee, frustrations remain among Republican leaders, who argue Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is slow rolling compliance with their subpoena. More than six months ago, Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Martin), who at the time was serving as the minority vice chair of the House elections committee, made a request to the Michigan Department of State seeking access to the Bureau of Elections e-learning portal, which provides education and training materials for the state's election clerks. While Smit's office went back and forth with the Department of State, with Smit later filing a request in her official capacity as the chair of the now-renamed Elections Integrity Committee, she ultimately brought the matter before the House Oversight Committee, which issued a subpoena to the Secretary of State requesting any materials that had not already been provided by May 13 to Committee Chair Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Township). Although the Department has been working to fulfill Smit and DeBoyer's requests, a May 7 response to the subpoena from Assistant Attorney General Heather Meingast on behalf of Benson's office reiterated security concerns in releasing these training documents to the Oversight Committee without review and redaction that would 'reveal security feature information or other sensitive information jeopardizes the [voting] process.' 'This is true even if those seeking the information are well-intentioned, because each time sensitive information is released, its potential for intentional or accidental disclosure to those who would misuse it increases,' Meingast wrote, anticipating that the committee would again request a login credentials to the Bureau of Election's e-learning portal to alleviate the expense and burden tied to processing this information for release. 2025.05.07 House Oversight Committee subpeona response AG letter She also called into question the legality of the subpoena, noting that no provisions within state law or the House rules allows a committee to issue a subpoena on behalf of another committee, and that a subpoena is only valid if it serves a legislative purpose for the committee that issued it. Alongside the latest release of documents on Tuesday, Meingast noted that, as she'd predicted, the Department had been unable to complete a full review of the requested materials by the May 13 deadline. However the department would continue to release documents on a rolling basis until all items had been produced or if it determined items should be withheld due to security concerns. While the Department has issued a total of 3,300 pages of documents to the House Oversight Committee, including 300 pages issued Tuesday, Smit called the department's pace 'unacceptable.' 'While we acknowledge the Department of State released new information today, there is no reason why Secretary Benson and her staff cannot fulfill the House's subpoena in full today. For some baseless reason, they continue to release small batches of information and tout them as huge wins in transparency. It's not transparency, it's embarrassing,' Smit said in a statement. 'This is nothing more than a delay tactic being used by someone who seems to be petrified the public will actually find out how she's been training our clerks. The Legislature has a responsibility to review these materials to ensure our clerks are being properly trained. Any attempts to prevent that core legislative function amounts to nothing more than clear obstruction,' said Smit, who has pushed disproven claims that the 2020 election was stolen, despite a 2021 report from the then GOP-led Senate Oversight Committee concluding there is no widespread evidence of voter fraud within the state. In her own statement published Tuesday, Benson reiterated that she has a duty to 'protect the security of our elections from politicians seeking information that would enable someone to interfere with the chain of custody of ballots, tamper with election equipment, or impersonate a clerk on Election Day.' 'We'll continue to work with the chair of the committee to explain these realities and we'll do the same in a court of law,' She said. All of the documents released thus far are available for public review at
