Waterford Today

Sen. Ruth Johnson has criticized the secretary of state for failing to fulfill her promise of assisting local clerks in Michigan. Johnson, who previously served as secretary of state herself, expressed concern over the struggles faced by clerks in implementing new requirements under Proposal 2 and related laws passed last year. She emphasized the importance of the secretary of state's role in supporting and assisting local clerks, rather than hindering them.

Johnson highlighted a letter signed by 74 city and township clerks from various political backgrounds, expressing their concerns and stating that they were losing sleep over the situation. These clerks have faced delays in performing their duties due to a lack of guidance from the state Bureau of Elections, which falls under the jurisdiction of the secretary of state.

"The Legislature gave $46 million to the Secretary of State’s Office to help implement these new laws. Where is the accountability for that money? Why isn’t it being used to help our clerks?" questioned Johnson. Despite her personal disagreement with some of the new laws, she criticized the current secretary of state for breaking her commitment to the clerks and leaving them to fend for themselves.

Johnson also referenced a Detroit News editorial that highlighted the letter sent by the clerks to the secretary of state and Bureau of Elections Director Jonathan Brater. The editorial emphasized the anguish and financial burden caused by the legislation and urged immediate assistance from the Secretary of State's Office. Johnson echoed the sentiment expressed in the editorial, stating, "It should not have taken pleas from desperate clerks to get her attention... This failure belongs to the secretary of state's office. She needs to fix it immediately."

The criticism from Johnson comes as a call for action and accountability. She believes that the allocated funds should be utilized to support the clerks who are struggling to comply with the new requirements. Johnson's concerns reflect the frustration and concerns of the clerks themselves, who are overwhelmed by the demands placed upon them.

It remains to be seen how the secretary of state will respond to these criticisms and address the issues raised by Johnson and the clerks. The importance of supporting local clerks in their essential role in conducting elections cannot be understated, and it is crucial that the necessary steps are taken to ensure they are adequately supported and equipped to fulfill their duties.