(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/26/2024) Local clerks began offering absentee ballots Thursday as Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and local election officials held separate news events to assure the public that voting in Michigan is as secure as ever. 

Michigan is now offering voters nine days of on-site early voting to go along with no-reason absentee voting, free postage on ballots and ballot drop boxes.  

Republicans have resisted the new policies amid security concerns, but are slowly coming around to the expanded voting options after their cries of widespread voter fraud failed to yield any concrete examples. 

Thursday, Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum told reporters Michigan’s voting system is as secure as ever and bristled at the assertion that since it’s “easier to vote, it’s easier to cheat.” 

“I will not swear, but I will tell you that our elections are stronger, and they are safer when everyone who is a qualified registered voter participates,” she said. 

Byrum was made available through a press conference held by the Defend Democracy Project, a 501(c)4 that promotes voting through public education and media relations, among other avenues. 

She was on a media call with Genesee County Clerk Domonique Clemons, former U.S. Acting Attorney General Stuart Gerson and Michael Davis, executive director of Promote the Vote Michigan. 

Later in the day, Benson met with the Detroit Pistons about continuing their partnership in the voting process. She also announced a new 1-800 texting line (833-868-3009) that will allow voters to request an absentee ballot, find an early voting site, become a poll worker or check out the League of Women Voter’s nonpartisan election information guide. 

Starting Thursday, voters can use Michigan.gov/Vote to find out where their ballot is in the process. Benson also relaunched a Department of State Election Fact Center for information on elections and voting called Michigan.gov/ElectionsFacts. 

There’s also an email address to report people who are spreading voter misinformation. That’s at Misinformation@Michigan.gov. 

“I know that I, along with the 1,600 bipartisan professional clerks across our state, will continue to spend every minute that we can working to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat in our state,” Benson said.