Bridge Michigan: Benson Seeks to Assure Voters She Can Run Fair Election

Election Reformers Network was featured in Bridge Michigan coverage of Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's forthcoming conflict-of-interest avoidance plan. Benson, who is running for governor, consulted with ERN in developing the plan, which is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

The article draws on ERN's public guidance for Secretaries of State running for office this year. The key passgae:

"[ERN] recommends that secretaries of state who will be on the ballot determine what decisions they may have to make that could create — or be perceived to create — a way to help their own election or party.

Those officials should assess any “legal and feasible” steps they could take to “reduce, suspend, or make more transparent their role in that decision.”

And the resulting conflict-of-interest avoidance program “should be made public, so it can help build voter confidence and demonstrate proactive effort to address voter concerns”