Tri-City Sun

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently killed an effort by the Legislature to increase the penalties for voter fraud involving mail-in ballots.

Whitmer chose to use her veto on a bill sponsored by Sen. Kevin Daley (R-Lum) that would have added no new procedures or requirements to mail-in voting, according to the MiSenateGOP website. However, the legislation would have increased the consequences for anyone who attempted to take advantage of ballot-control loopholes created by the policies of Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to commit election fraud.

“I was very surprised to see the governor veto legislation that would have given Michiganders confidence in the security of their votes as we approach this unusual election,” Daley said, according to MiSenateGOP.

Sen. Kevin Daley | #MiSenateGOP

Daley pointed to the need to reassure voters after Benson chose to mail ballot applications to the addresses associated with every name on the state’s roll of registered voters. That action created a potential loophole within ballot-control procedures by which someone who received one of those forms could have easily requested a ballot in another person’s name.

“My bill would have made it a felony to knowingly submit another person’s name or personal identity information on a ballot application or attempt to obtain multiple ballots,” Daley told MiSenateGOP.

Daley said that the potential for increased consequences would provide the voting public greater confidence in election results, with the expectation that the increased consequences would discourage anyone who was tempted to commit voter fraud by a ballot application received as a result of Benson’s mass mailing.

“This bill passed both the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. Whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, protecting election security should be a no-brainer,” Daley said, according to MiSenateGOP. “It’s very disappointing that even when it comes to discouraging fraud, playing politics has to come first.”