LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad is calling on Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to do her job and restore confidence in Michigan’s elections following an open and shut case of election fraud, where Hamtramck city council members were caught on video stuffing ballots into dropboxes, potentially affecting the result of the election.

“These blatant instances of election fraud damage the integrity of Michigan’s elections, deprive voters of their voice, and encourage continued deception in government practice,” said Runestad, R-White Lake. “It is shameful that the secretary of state could allow this to happen because protecting our elections is the most important part of her job.”

A letter sent directly to the secretary of state by Runestad highlights the problems with Michigan’s election laws.

“The recent events in Hamtramck represent not just a troubling breach, but a direct threat to the integrity of Michigan’s elections.” wrote Runestad. “This is not a technicality — it is a criminal act that strikes at the heart of public trust in our democratic system.

“While charges have been filed, that is not enough. The larger and more urgent question is how such an obvious abuse was allowed to occur at all — so close to Election Day and under the very laws and safeguards that your office is responsible for upholding.

“As Michigan’s chief election official, you cannot allow this to be dismissed as an isolated incident. It is your duty to confront the failures that made this misconduct possible and to take immediate, visible action to restore confidence in the security of our elections.”

Runestad called for action from Benson.

“This instance of blatant election fraud is an indictment on the state of our election laws. It is up to the secretary of state to do her job and to restore security, integrity, and confidence in Michigan’s elections,” Runestad said.

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