State Rep. Rachelle Smit today championed the passage of her plan to ensure any new voting systems implemented in Michigan do not include parts or equipment from foreign companies that pose an unacceptable security risk.

“Across the world, foreign adversaries and state-controlled companies are looking for opportunities to infiltrate our country, including our election systems,” said Smit, R-Martin. “My plan would require state election officials to ensure any new election equipment does not contain parts from foreign companies of concern. The federal government is already doing much of the work by maintaining a comprehensive list of companies that pose national security risks. This requirement is a common-sense measure to protect our elections from foreign influence.”

Smit’s plan follows a similar federal law passed with significant bipartisan support in 2021 that bars the use of equipment from companies such as Huawei and ZTE, which have ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The Federal Communications Commission maintains a watchlist of suppliers it deems  an unacceptable national security risk.

House Bill 4720, which passed out of committee with unanimous support, would prohibit new voting systems implemented in the state from including parts or equipment produced by any company on that federal watchlist.

In response to a request from Smit, the Michigan Department of State said it could not guarantee that the state’s election equipment does not include materials from companies of concern. If the plan becomes law, officials would be expected, at a minimum, to ensure those companies do not provide materials or equipment used in the production of election systems.

The plan now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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