Sen. Lana Theis | Facebook
Sen. Lana Theis | Facebook
Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton) sent a letter to the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office that included the signatures of 32,000 residents asking for an independent audit of the Nov. 3 election before the results are certified.
“As you are aware, the General Election currently being conducted in the State of Michigan has generated a great deal of interest and concern among the people of Michigan, with a record number of over 5.4 million Michiganders participating in the electoral process,” Theis wrote.
Theis said all citizens should have faith in election integrity, but that that isn’t the case here. Theis wrote that it was Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s responsibility as an elected official to assure Michiganders of the integrity of the process.
“Unfortunately, a number of serious allegations have been made which cannot and should not be ignored,” Theis wrote.
Theis recounted the issue in Antrim County where a glitch caused thousands of ballots to go to opposing candidates and not their intended candidate.
She also noted the mishandling of ballots, such as counting some in batches multiple times, counting ineligible ballots and instances of individuals coaching voters on how to vote, among other examples.
Theis wrote in the letter that there were also allegations about unsecured ballots and unlawful intimidation and interference by election officials over challengers and poll watchers.
“Each of these allegations is backed up by sworn affidavits of over 100 Michigan citizens, real people, willing to face legal consequences to their lives and livelihoods to stand by their assertions,” Theis wrote.
Theis wrote that she was requesting the independent audit to be done prior to the Dec. 8 meeting by the State Board of Canvassers. She wrote that every legal vote must be counted.
“Any fraudulently processed votes and unfair obstacles placed in front of legal poll challengers and watchers disenfranchise the lawful votes of every citizen of Michigan, regardless of their political affiliation,” Theis wrote.
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