Michigan official warns of democracy threats

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson serves as the chief election official in Michigan, working alongside nearly 1,700 local officials who administer elections in the perennial battleground state.

In 2020, Benson was at the center of efforts to ensure a safe and secure election amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

It also was the first major election in Michigan since voters approved a measure allowing no-excuse absentee voting.

The number of absentee ballots tripled — from 1.1 million in November 2016 to 3.3 million in November 2020.

The Associated Press interviewed Benson, a Democrat and election law expert, about combatting disinformation surrounding the 2020 election, preparations for the 2024 presidential election and efforts in Michigan and elsewhere to enact new limits on voting.

Although the state's governor, a Democrat, is likely to veto any voting restriction passed by the Legislature, the state has a unique process that could allow voting bills to become law if enough citizens petition for it and the GOP-controlled Legislature passes it.