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Macomb County, MI: Anthony Forlini, Republican Candidate for Michigan’s next Secretary of State, issued the following statement in regards to the court order that was just issued by the Hon. Michael J. Riordan regarding the management of the poll books for the upcoming election.
Forlini stated the following,
“Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson lost another case. She has been consistent in her lack of transparency and avoidance of proper election law.
“I have been very clear all along that she has caused many problems with local clerks in her misapplication of the law while hiding key information from freedom of information to the public.
“This one ruling will help restore confidence or expose what the Michigan Secretary of State office has been trying to hide.
“I have sent a letter to all my clerks giving them guidance. The Michigan Court of Claims has issued a statewide order requiring the preservation of electronic pollbooks from the November 3 General Election.
“I believe election administration must be built on three principles: following the law, protecting election records, and providing clear direction to our local clerks.
“The court has directed that electronic pollbook files be transferred to encrypted flash drives and securely stored until further order. Every local election official deserves clear instructions and the support necessary to comply.
“As Macomb County Clerk, I've learned that good election administration depends on preparation, accountability, and sound procedures. We should never leave local clerks guessing about their legal responsibilities.
“This order is temporary, and the underlying case remains unresolved. My position is straightforward: follow the court's order, preserve the required records, protect sensitive information, and give our clerks the guidance they need to do their jobs properly.”
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