Livingston Today

State Representative Ann Bollin has voiced her opposition to a proposed rule change by the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office regarding the retention of electronic pollbook records used during elections. The new rule would permit local officials to delete these records and associated files from all devices within seven days after the final canvass and certification of an election.

Bollin, who previously served as Brighton Township Clerk for 16 years, argued that the proposed policy does not align with federal law, which requires election records to be preserved for 22 months. She explained that most clerks currently retain electronic pollbook data on flash drives, a method she described as both affordable and practical for meeting federal retention standards.

“This proposed rule set would allow for the destruction of election records at a critical point in the election process,” Bollin said. “As a former clerk, I was responsible for all record retention in my community of almost 20,000. Providing records when they’re needed or requested is high priority to preserve the trust of the public. But it only works well if we have the ability to retrieve the necessary documents. It is essential that we instill trust, confidence and a record that is retrievable by keeping electronic pollbook data – and all election records – for the federal retention requirement of 22 months. We should not part and parcel our election records.”

Bollin also raised concerns about broader changes made to Michigan’s election regulations over recent years under Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. She criticized what she sees as a reduction in checks and balances within state election law.

“Michigan, once known for having sound election law that had the necessary checks and balances at every stage of an election, has been stripped of many of these checks and balances over the past six-and-a-half years under Secretary Benson; often by directive, and not statute or rule as required and expected,” Bollin said. “We have seen her directives taken to court and overturned. Public confidence and trust in government is at an all-time low. Our elections are the people’s voice, and if we do not have election integrity, we do not have a voice.”