The House Oversight Committee on Tuesday voted to authorize the issuance of a subpoena for the Michigan Department of State (MDOS). The subpoena comes after Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and her office have, for five months, refused to release election training materials to state Rep. Rachelle Smit, Chair of the House Election Integrity Committee.

The Oversight Committee – led by state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township – approved the subpoena action after Benson and her office failed to provide requested documents by an April 14 deadline. Last month, Smit told the Oversight Committee how MDOS stonewalled attempts by her office to access uncontroversial, basic election training information provided to election clerks and stored on the Bureau of Elections (BOE) E-Learning Portal.

“We’re not talking about state secrets here; these are just basic election training materials regularly provided to Michigan clerks,” said Smit, R-Martin. “Secretary Benson had five months and ample opportunities to be transparent and work with us to strengthen our election systems. She refused, leaving us with no choice but to issue a subpoena.”

Smit said a thorough review of election training materials is critical given the concerning track record Benson has with handing down illegal guidance and rules to clerks. Michigan Courts have regularly struck down rules – issued by Benson – because of clear violations of state law.

“If Secretary Benson disobeys the law in her public rulemaking authority, how do we know she isn’t handing down similarly flawed guidance in the training materials she provides to clerks?” Smit asked. “Legislators must review these materials and ensure election workers are receiving the most appropriate, up-to-date training guidance that’s developed directly in line with state law – not whatever portions of state law Secretary Benson decided fit her agenda this week.”

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