Benson objects to subpoenaed information from House committee

(The Center Square) – The next step could take place in a courtroom after Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she will not turn over materials she believes are sensitive to the House Committee on Oversight.

Through a letter from Attorney General Dana Nessel, Benson told the committee it will continue to protect information that could potentially be used to impact the chain of custody of ballots, tamper with election equipment or impersonate a clerk on election day.

The letter reads in part, “Releasing material that would reveal security feature information or other sensitive information jeopardizes the process. This is true even if those seeking the information are well-intentioned, because each time sensitive information is released, its potential for intentional or accidental disclosure to those who would misuse it increases.”

Nearly a month ago, the committee issued a subpoena for what it called election training documents Benson refused to turn over for five months. On Friday, she released thousands of pages of documents but continues to review others for what she called sensitive information. Overall, Benson has released more than 3,000 documents to the committee and said she will continue to do so.

The Center Square was unsuccessful getting comment before publication from Rep. Rachelle Smit, R-Martin, chairwoman of the Oversight Committee.

Nessel’s letter outlines several objections by the secretary of state’s office, saying they violate state laws and Michigan House Rules.

Also, Benson says the materials asked for serve no legislative purpose and the large amount of information requested is an “unacceptable” security risk to Michigan elections.

The letter reads, “We are hopeful that the House Oversight Committee will thoughtfully consider the Secretary’s and [M]DOS’s concerns, including their request to narrow the scope of documents requested, and will expressly confirm that the committee is no longer seeking sensitive information. Even so, the Secretary and [M]DOS are committed to producing all material that can be produced with any appropriate redactions.”