Michigan Secretary of State asks for probe into voting machine access in Roscommon County | Craig Mauger/The Detroit News
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is asking the Attorney General’s office and the Michigan State Police to investigate reports that an “unnamed third party” was granted access to voting technology in Roscommon County. Benson, the state’s top election official, announced the request in a statement Thursday. She also sent a letter to clerks across the state, saying Michigan law is “clear that unauthorized third parties may not have access to election technology and data.” “Our office has recently received multiple credible allegations of instances in which an unauthorized third party has been granted access to vote tabulation machines in violation of Michigan law,” Benson’s letter began. At least one third party allegedly gained inappropriate access to tabulation machines and data drives used in Richfield Township and Roscommon County, according to the Secretary of State’s office. Such access could require the equipment to be replaced at taxpayer expense, the office said. Roscommon County Clerk Michelle Stevenson and Richfield Township Clerk Greg Watt didn’t respond Thursday evening to requests for comment. Richfield Township Supervisor John Bawol said he didn’t know what Benson’s statement was referring to. Contracts with voting system vendors and state law restrict access to voting equipment to qualified personnel, the secretary of state’s statement said.
Full Article: Benson asks for probe into voting machine access in Roscommon County