Michigan Secretary of State on Election Denialism and Threats to Democracy

The Battle for Democracy

• 🎯 Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson views the ongoing events, including the FBI search in Fulton County, as part of a larger battle for the future of democracy and citizens' rights.
• 💡 She emphasizes the critical role of state officials in countering lies and threats, upholding truth, law, and protecting voters.
• 🗣️ Benson believes election denialism is designed not just to dismantle democracy but to make people feel small and powerless, deterring them from holding leaders accountable.

Election Security and Scrutiny

• 🔍 Benson asserts that the 2020 election was the most transparent, secure, and scrutinized in recent American history.
• ✅ Investigations and audits, including a hand recount in Georgia and over 250 audits in Michigan, have consistently reaffirmed the election's security and accuracy.
• ❌ She criticizes the rehashing of disproven conspiracy theories by Donald Trump and his allies, stating there is no credible evidence of wrongdoing.

Impact of Election Denialism

• ⚠️ The persistent spread of false claims about elections leads to increased threats against election officials, their families, and staff.
• ⚖️ Benson highlights that these falsehoods jeopardize the ability of election professionals, regardless of political affiliation, to administer safe and secure elections.
• 💬 She calls on federal officials to recognize the harm caused by pursuing baseless conspiracy theories and to stop abusing their authority.

Role of Federal Officials

• 🤝 Benson acknowledges the planned meetings between federal officials (Attorney General, Director of National Intelligence, Secretary of Homeland Security) and state Secretaries of State.
• 📢 She intends to convey to these officials that their actions and the rhetoric surrounding election conspiracy theories directly impact the safety and security of election workers.
• 🗳️ The core message is that citizens possess the power to hold elected officials accountable at the ballot box, a right that should not be undermined by false narratives.