Michigan May 5th Mail-In Election Could Preview November
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says mail-in voting is the solution for some localities in the upcoming May 5th election, but the decisions made now will inform future voting.
Some localities in Michigan have an election coming up, providing a real-world opportunity for state officials to test a mail-in voting system.
“We have the tools to do that: Enable every citizen to vote by mail.” — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
Officials likely have Wisconsin in mind when envisioning the backlash that could come if citizens felt their right to vote went against a desire to stay healthy.
In Michigan, a mail-in voting system comes with it’s own challenges.
Listen: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on voting during a global pandemic.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says that it’s imperative to ensure that voters don’t have to choose between their health and right to vote.
“We have the tools to do that: Enable every citizen to vote by mail,” says Benson.
Some Michigan localities and communities will have the opportunity to vote by mail in May local elections. For those who have to vote in person or register on voting day, clerks’ offices will be open and using public health guidelines to safely assist in the voting process. Benson says the May elections are being developed with an eye toward the fall.
“A lot of the decisions we’re making for the May election are made with the thought in mind: if this was October, is this what we’d be doing?” says Benson
