SOS Express News from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson

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Strengthening election integrity

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SOS Johnson: Michigan to pilot risk-limiting election audits in three cities

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has announced that the Bureau of Elections will pilot the use of risk-limiting audits in three cities after the 2018 election as part of the state’s comprehensive post-election audit process that verifies voting equipment and election officials performed well.

“With this pilot of risk-liming audits, Michigan further bolsters its reputation as a national leader in election security and integrity,” Johnson said. “With our new election equipment and secure voter file, and now with our pilot of risk-limiting audits, we are well ahead of other states in strengthening election integrity.”

The Bureau of Elections is partnering with three city clerks, Tina Barton in Rochester Hills, Scott Borling in Kalamazoo and Chris Swope in Lansing; staff of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission; and researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University and the University of California, Berkeley.

A risk-limiting audit is a comprehensive check that uses statistical methods to confirm whether reported election results are correct and detect possible anomalies that may need further scrutiny due to human error or possible manipulation. Ballots will be randomly selected based on a mathematical formula in the three cities to confirm that the ballot tabulators tallied them correctly.

The goal of the pilot will be to determine how risk-limiting audits could be rolled out statewide. In 2018, the state of Colorado, which has an all mail-in election process, used risk-limiting audits for the first time statewide. Michigan’s highly decentralized elections system features both Election Day and absentee voting administered by the 1,520 city and township clerks across the state, which is unique for a state of Michigan’s population and geographic size. Other states, including Rhode Island and Virginia, will start using them statewide in future election cycles.

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SOS praises legislators for passage of online voter registration bills

Secretary Johnson recently thanked state lawmakers giving final approval to a secure online voter registration application, an initiative she has long championed. The measure has been sent to the governor for consideration.

“Our online services have handled millions of transactions accurately and securely, and now is the time to allow Michigan residents the convenience of registering to vote online,” Johnson said.

The state Senate on Nov. 8 approved with overwhelming bipartisan support House changes to legislation that would create online voter registration.

Under the proposed legislation:

  • Original voter registration applications could be submitted online using ExpressSOS.com

  • The online voter registration system would automatically check that a potential voter is of the correct age and otherwise eligible to vote by cross-referencing the voter registration application information through the state’s driver licensing and state ID files

  • Signatures would be captured through the Secretary of State’s driver licensing and state ID database

SOS offices closed for Thanksgiving

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson reminds residents that all branch offices and the Office of the Great Seal will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

All offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 22, Friday, Nov. 23, and SUPER!Centers will be closed on Saturday, Nov. 24.  

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Mike Senyko

MDOS chief of staff Senyko is leaving

Michigan Department of State chief of staff Mike Senyko will leave at the end of the month to take a position as executive director of Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, P.C., one of Michigan’s longest-established, full-service law firms.

“Mike is greatly respected by our team and has done a tremendous job for this department,” Secretary Johnson said. “His leadership and executive skills have been key to the many gains we have made for the people of Michigan in the Secretary of State’s Office."

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Veteran plates

Michigan has many plates for veterans

Are you a veteran of America’s armed forces? Michigan offers many license plates to recognize your service.

Visit the Secretary of State's License Plate Store to see all of the options and to print out an application form.


Renew before you head south!

Secretary Johnson reminds residents heading south for the winter to renew their driver’s licenses and plates before leaving Michigan.

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